Kate’s anguish as Derek went into coma
KATE GARRAWAY has described feeling “achingly alone” the moment husband Derek Draper went into a coma and feared she would never hear him speak again.
The Good Morning Britain presenter has spoken of “big ups and downs” since Derek, 53, was rushed into intensive care with Covid-19 in March last year, with fears initially that he would never recover.
He recently left hospital and is recuperating at home after major organ damage caused by the virus, but in a new book Kate, 53, describes the day when he was put into an induced coma in April last year.
At the time her beloved husband told her: “You saved my life.And I don’t just mean now because I’m going into the coma to help me. I mean, everything, with the children, the family, our wonderful life.You saved me.”
Mother-of-two Kate writes in The Power Of Hope: “The line went dead. I suddenly felt alone, achingly alone. I didn’t know if I would ever hear Derek’s voice again.”
She also details the worrying text messages he sent describing his pain when in hospital. One begged to be put into a coma and read: “It’s mental torture. I need a break. I want to be put unconscious.”
Another asked the TV and radio star to tell their two children – Darcy, 15, and Billy, 11 – how much he loved them and said: “I don’t think you realise how bad it is, it is unimaginable.
“I literally feel like I’m drowning and every breath is my last.
“Please tell them both I love them. The doctor says there’s no chance of me dying. I just have to keep going.”
Kate returned to hosting GMB last July after three months off when Derek was first taken into hospital. She is juggling her work with caring for Derek and receives support from specialists.
● Kate Garraway: The Power Of Hope, is published by Bantam Press on Thursday.