Kate Garraway's secret health issue that made it 'dangerous' to be Derek's carer

Daily Mirror

a day ago

Kate Garraway has opened up on the tough times she had while trying to care for her late husband Derek Draper while also dealing with her own health issues
Kate Garraway has revealed the health issue that "worsened significantly" while she was caring for late husband Derek Draper. The political lobbyist died in January 2024 following a four year health battle after he contracted long Covid.
Good Morning Britain host Kate, 58, was his primary carer, but she has candidly opened up on the health issues she also faced at the time. The presenter said at one point, her conditions made h er feel it was "not safe" for her or her family.
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She confessed that the stress of looking after her husband triggered her own health scares. And she admitted that it seemed as though surgery would be likely.
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Speaking to the Sun, Kate revealed: "The stress of fighting for Derek to get the support he needed along with the physical demands of being a primary carer 24 hours a day was such a strain that my body was feeling the effect.
"And there were other signs too. Missed appointments. No time to rest. My autoimmune thyroid condition — neglected during Derek's illness — has now worsened significantly. Surgery now looks likely. It could have been avoided."
She also explained how she had been so sleep deprived as the system tried to work out how to best look after Derek that she felt it was no longer safe. She claimed the situation wasn't safe for her, her kids or Derek.
Kate went on to describe calling health services in desperation following three weeks of no support. She told them at the time she had refused to get off the phone until she was given an answer on how things were going to proceed.
"In the end, the person on the other end of the phone, who was also clearly exhausted, told me, 'There is nothing I can do but — and this isn't official — you are not alone and what I always say to people is take him to A&E and leave him there, then they legally have to do something.'
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Exasperated, Kate wondered how it had come to this stage. "I didn't take him, I just couldn't, physically or morally," she said.
Kate also admitted she knows she was lucky to have had family around her who were able to help. However, she knows some people were - and are - in worse situations.
"Carers are the backbone of this country — but are being broken under the weight," she said. She then pleaded with Rachel Reeves not to forget the carers in her spending review.
Last year, shortly after Derek's death, Kate praised their two children and the way the handled the heartbreaking situation. And she revealed the sweet message her daughter Darcey gave her dad during his struggles.
Kate revealed how Darcey told Derek: "If, dad, you can't do this, it's okay. Don't worry about us." She confessed she too had had similar conversations with her husband.