Published Apr 28, 2021

‘New Amsterdam’ Actor Anupam Kher Leaves On-Screen Doctor Role to be a Caregiver for His Wife Battling Multiple Myeloma

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An Important Role

Indian actor Anupam Kher, 66, recently left his small screen job to take on a bigger role as caregiver to his wife battling cancer.
Kher, 66, has been married to Kirron Kher, 65, an Indian actress, singer, and Parliament member for over three decades. She was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
A caregiver who lost his wife to cancer tells SurvivorNet some valuable advice for other family members and friends out there who are stepping into this important role for a loved one battling cancer.

Actor, author, and motivational speaker Anupam Kher puts the “care” in caregiver. The TV doctor from NBC show New Amsterdam recently left his small screen job to take on a bigger role as caregiver to his wife battling cancer.

Kher, 66, has been married to Kirron Kher, 65, an Indian actress, singer, and Parliament member for more than three decades. She was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. The actor announced the devastating news in early April, but appears to be staying positive.

“She is currently undergoing treatment and we are sure she will come out of this stronger than before,” he wrote via social media. “We are very blessed that she is being looked after by a phenomenal set of doctors. She's always been a fighter and takes things head on,"

Kher’s final show playing Dr. Kapoor on the NBC medical drama was April 13, and the Indian performer took to Instagram to thank fans for their support in his decision. He was a main actor up until his exit. (Some fans may know Kher from another doctor role in the film Silver Linings Playbook with Bradley Cooper.)

“This past year has been difficult for so many people around the world, not least for Dr. Kapoor,” he wrote on Instagram. “It was an incredibly special time for me to be part of this show and one I will never forget. The New Amsterdam family will always hold a special place in my heart. I am grateful to the audience for their love, support and good wishes, particularly for my wife, Kirron, at this time. I hope you all will continue to join me on my journey and future projects.”

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A post shared by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher)

In a recent question-and-answer session on Twitter, Kher was asked what it was like to be married to a politician. “She is not a politician at home, she is a person,” he replied with a smiley face.

He said that her situation was improving but there are “many side effects” from her treatment. “She is in good spirits and hopefully she will come out of it,” he shared. “With prayers from her well-wishers, everything will be fine.”

The Khers married in 1985. Kirron has a son named Sikander from a previous marriage that she and Anupam raised together. Kirron got into politics in 2014 and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

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A post shared by Kirron Kher (@kirronkhermp)

Dealing with a Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis

There are some highly important things for patientsand caregiversto know about multiple myeloma right off the bat, and how to navigate a diagnosis for this specific type of blood cancer.

Sarah Kelly, an oncology social worker at Cancer Care, tells SurvivorNet multiple myeloma is a “treatable cancer”.

“The thing with multiple myeloma that makes it a very different type of cancer– one, it’s rare, so it is a rare diagnosis,” she says. “It’s also more of a chronic illness. So yes, it is absolutely still cancer. But within that, it is what’s known as a treatable cancer, not a curable cancer.”

Kelly says that someone with multiple myeloma “can have a meaningful life, and can live the life to the best of their abilities, but they will always be in treatment in some way, shape, or form.”

She feels that the most important thing to focus on, for caregivers too, is a way to cope with continued treatments, “with the ups and downs of having time when you’re in treatment, having time when you’re not in treatment.”

It is crucial to form a connection with hope.

“It’s still there, so it’s just figuring out how to connect to it. And I think that a lot of the work can be done through support.”

Multiple Myeloma Dealing With the Initial Diagnosis

Advice For Caregivers

Caregiving is not an easy job, but it's a very important one.

Doug Wendt lost his wife of 25 years, Alice, after a battle with ovarian cancer. Wendt was a caregiver. The couple was fortunate that they owned a business together, so they could adjust their schedules to fit Alice's medical needs.

"I was able to be there for pretty much every stage of the journey," Doug told SurvivorNet. Tragically, Alice passed away from the disease after two years. But, given their experience, Doug has some advice for other people who may be playing the role of caregiver to a loved one going through cancer.

"Medical professionals love having you involved, and aren't quite sure if they want you involved," Doug said. "It's just the nature of the medical system it's focused on the professionals and the patient. You get a lot of emotional support and positivity for being a caregiver, until you question something. So, it's important to know that you're not always going to be on the same side as the care team, even when they're great people."

Doug urges other caregivers to speak up if they think something is amiss with their loved one's medical care. After all, doctors are only human.

Doug Wendt, Who Lost His Wife To Cancer, Shares An Important Message For Caregivers

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