Fiona Phillips' husband, This Morning boss Martin Frizell, has opened up about his wife's heartbreaking Alzheimer's diagnosis last year which came as a shock as the former ITV broadcaster was only 61-years-old.
Fiona, now 62, had been living with the crippling brain condition in secret before she decided to make the news public and speak out about her diagnosis.
Although the disease runs in the family, with both her parents and uncle suffering from it, Fiona didn't think she would have to face the reality of battling the illness which can make the simplest of tasks most challenging until she was in her 80s.
Martin, 64, has been devoted to being by his wife's side since the news broke out. Speaking to the Mirror about the past few months he explained: "My only frustration is just I want her to get better. I want her to remember things. I want the apathy to go and I want this person back who was vibrant and interested in things and eager to do new things..."
Martin heartbreakingly added: "But she's not there at the moment."
Fiona was visibly moved, but also a little confused by her husband’s response. "Really?" she said. "I hadn't noticed I was being like that." While Martin added: "But you wouldn't because you're in the middle of it."
Martin has been forced to step up in support of his wife with growing responsibility as she is currently on a drug trial which if successful could reverse the condition. He has been administering Fiona's medication by injecting the drug into her stomach.
But, Fiona revealed: "I try not to rely on him too much. And he hasn’t really ramped it up because he has always been good."
Martin laughed and added: "That's too kind Fiona... I have absolutely ramped it up... Before I didn't ever have to worry about Fiona before and now I do... 'What is she doing all day while I'm at work? What is she doing in the evening if I'm out? what has she eaten?'"
Before being diagnosed, Fiona had been suffering from symptoms such as brain fog and anxiety which she and her husband Martin believed was part of the menopause.
Fiona's husband explained: "We thought maybe it was the menopause because all the symptoms were there; brain fog, anxiety and confusion.
"We got in touch with a menopause specialist who took her under their wing and put her on HRT but while that improved some symptoms, the brain fog remained."
Alzheimer's has affected a number of members of Fiona's family, with her mum, dad and uncle all having previously been diagnosed so it was a huge relief when both her sons Nat, 24, and Mackenzie, 21, were tested and didn't carry the gene.
Martin said: "When the results came back as negative it was a huge moment - such an enormous sense of relief. There’s no Alzheimer’s on my side of the family and thank goodness it seems the boys have not inherited from Fiona’s side of the family."
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