Valerie Harper's husband says doctors recommend hospice care. Why he won't do it

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https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/celebri...hCp?li=BBnb2gh

Doctors have recommended that acting legend Valerie Harper be put in hospice care, but her husband refuses to do so.

"I have been told by doctors to put Val in Hospice care and I can't [because of our 40 years of shared commitment to each other] and I won't because of the amazing good deeds she has graced us with while she's been here on earth," Valerie's husband, Tony Cacciotti, wrote on Facebook. "We will continue going forward as long as the powers above allow us, I will do my very best in making Val as comfortable as possible."

The "Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Rhoda" star's health has been dwindling as she battles brain cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2013.

"There are two special ANGELS on this planet masquerading as humans who live and work together, that have made it possible to have all of Val's needs taken care of," Tony wrote on Tuesday. "For those of you who have been in this position, you will totally understand that 'it's hard letting go.' So as long as I'm able and capable, I'll be where I belong right beside her."

Tony added, "Many, many thanks for your outpouring of kindness and support."

Valerie's longtime friend Deanna also wrote a note on the Facebook page, telling fans she will continue to update them.

"We are so grateful for your love and support," she wrote.

Valerie, 79, who rose to fame playing Rhoda Morgenstern on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in the 1970s, has had health issues in the past, having beat lung cancer in 2009. Recently, Tony and Deanna set up a GoFundMe to help with Valerie's medical bills.

In a 2017 interview with Fox News, Valerie reflected on her Emmy-winning career

"I've had a wonderful career," she said. "I got to be an actress. I was a dancer. And then I grew into this area of acting and that was just so wonderful."

[Bonniegirl]

Poor Valerie! Prayers to her and her Husband!

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Valerie Harper spend $3 million to stay alive for 6 years

In 2009, Harper underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from her lungs. She thought she had beaten the deadly disease until four years later, when she was told the cancer had spread to the linings of her brain and spinal cord — and she was given three months to live.

According to a source, one pill alone cost $1,000 and the 79-year-old needed to take at least ten a week, totaling a whopping $3 million spent since she was diagnosed in 2013.

In order to continue fighting for her life Opens a New Window, the Golden Globe winner sold her Los Angeles home years ago and her prized possessions.

[PracTz]

According to this week's Closer magazine, their daughter Christina has said that Mr. Cacciotti hasn't let her or her half-brothers (by his first marriage) see Miss Harper in months! She tries to give her father some justification saying that he doesn't deal with death well and Miss Harper has been everything to him for so long. However; if what has been reported (and what she is saying is true), then I can't imagine that's helping Miss Harper's current state whatsoever. Miss Cacciotti said that Miss Harper has had great difficulty communicating for these last months due to her language function being impacted by her condition. However; considering the fact that Miss Harper went so far as to say she was thankful she had never conceived a child on her own because it had given her the opportunity to raise this daughter, I'd think she'd be greatly comforted by her daughter's presence during this time even if she's no longer able to verbalize the appreciation.

[Mr. Television]

This is all so heartbreaking.

[PracTz]

Well, good news as per this week's Closer magazine, Miss Harper's husband has not only let there be visits from their daughter again but also has come to realize that hospice care can be done without Miss Harper having to leave the family home so he's letting that happen. Yes, as sad as it is that it appears that her time here is coming nearer to the end, at least she's more likely getting the best care and attention possible.

[Steve_uk]

Originally Posted by PracTz

Well, good news as per this week's Closer magazine, Miss Harper's husband has not only let there be visits from their daughter again but also has come to realize that hospice care can be done without Miss Harper having to leave the family home so he's letting that happen. Yes, as sad as it is that it appears that her time here is coming nearer to the end, at least she's more likely getting the best care and attention possible.

I have a friend who works voluntarily in a hospice and they do good work. To be honest though if I got to that stage I wouldn't be taking so many pills at $1000 a pop: just hand me a cyanide capsule. I'd also want relatives to remember me as I was so no visitors please.

[smittykins]

She’s survived a lot longer than most people with this form of brain cancer(I believe the average is about a year and a half).

[stevea]

One bit of good news is that she is still in their home. My aunt had home hospice care.

We discussed that possibility for my mother before she died nearly two years ago. I mentioned it to the doctor, and he said she could live quite a while longer, so no. She died several weeks later. The prognosis isn't good for a 97-year-old with heart failure. One morning the nursing home called me to say my mother said she felt funny, and then her heart stopped. The paramedics revived her, but she died in the hospital a few hours later.

Anyway, I'm sorry to hear the sad news about Valerie. She made an amazing recovery and I'm glad she was able to have a longer life.

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Originally Posted by smittykins

She’s survived a lot longer than most people with this form of brain cancer(I believe the average is about a year and a half).

The typical time to live with the cancer she had was 4 weeks without treatment and three months with treatment. She was diagnosed in 2013 so lived six years longer than she should have.