Actress Valerie Harper has been battling brain cancer for several years and is now facing her brave last days as doctors are recommending that she be put in hospice care. Despite that recommendation, her husband refuses to put her in hospice, saying he is determined to take care of the star until the end.
"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.
He added on Harper's official Facebook page 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."
The "Mary Tyler Moore" and "Rhoda" star was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2013 but in recent months, the 79-year-old's health has taken a turn for the worse.
Harper shot to fame in the 1970s after appearing in the "Mary Tyler Moore Show." Her successful acting career has been marred with illness. In 2009 she managed to beat lung cancer, only to be diagnosed with brain cancer a few years later, Wonder Wall noted. After her diagnoses, Harper opted for chemotherapy.
A GoFundMe campaign was set up earlier this month to help cover some of the medical costs.
"Valerie has been grateful over the years for the medical breakthroughs along this difficult journey, but insurance doesn't cover everything," wrote the campaign creator Deanna, who is a close family friend. "This GoFundMe initiative from Tony, is to ensure she receives the best care possible."
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