Tom Parker's Seizure
- Singer Tom Parker, 32, of ‘The Wanted’ is currently battling brain cancer.
- Over the summer, Parker suffered a seizure, and his wife, Kelsey Hardwick, 30, is sharing how hard the moment was; epileptic seizures are a common symptom for people with brain tumors.
- Supporting a spouse through their cancer diagnosis requires strength and support.
Parker’s Seizure
In an interview with Loose Women on ITV, Hardwick said, “Tom rang me like, ‘I don’t really feel well Kels. Something’s happened’. I said, ‘What do you think Tom?’ He said, ‘I don’t know.’ So for six weeks we didn’t know he had a seizure. Then we went on holiday with the family. Me and Aurelia went upstairs to Tom in bed. We were talking, just having a normal conversation, and he said, ‘Kels, I feel really hot, my hands are sweating and I’m like, ‘Okay.’ Next minute, massive seizure." Related: Tom Parker, 32, of 'The Wanted,' Finds Joy In Life's Simplest Moments During Brain Cancer Battle; Shares Adorable Photos of Little Ones“Epileptic seizures are a common symptom in patients with a primary or secondary malignant brain tumor,” according to the Society for NeuroOncology. Hardwick remembers how difficult the moment was, saying, “Obviously it was just absolutely overwhelmingly traumatic for everyone."
In an effort to treat his tumor, the singer has undergone six weeks of chemotherapy, along with radiation treatment. Kelsey shared that her husband has also been on a strict diet while undergoing treatment. Research speculates that some dietary changes may positively impact cancer treatment.
What is the Ketogenic Diet and Can it Help With Cancer?
Supporting a Spouse Through Cancer
Supporting a spouse through their cancer treatment is taxing, and some find that having the right mindset can make it easier. Hardwick detailed how her positive attitude has helped get her through this time. She said, “For my kids, for Tom, for my family, I think it’s a really bad horrendous situation but staying positive is the only way to get through this,” she explained. “People are looking at me thinking ‘how is she getting out of bed in the morning?’ but I think it’s the only way to get through this.”
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview how he sees the positive effect that a good mindset can have on those battling cancer. Dr. Murrell said, “My patients who thrive, even with stage four cancer, from the time that they, about a month after they’re diagnosed, I kind of am pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK. Now doesn’t that mean I’m good at saying that the cancer won’t grow. But I’m pretty good at telling what kind of patient are going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life.”
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.