Fiona Phillips' husband says she's 'not there' after Alzheimer's diagnosis
Fiona Phillips' devoted husband Martin Frizell has shared an update on his wife's condition a year after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
The former GMTV anchor, 62, was diagnosed last year but after living with the condition in secret, she bravely revealed her battle last night.
In a candid interview with the Mirror, mum-of-two Fiona opened up about her diagnosis.
Fiona's husband Martin, 64, has by her side since her diagnosis – with the ITV boss joining her for her brave interview to discuss her diagnosis.
Fiona Phillips' husband Martin Frizell has spoken about his wife's diagnosis (Getty Images Europe)
Martin explained the he wants the GMTV legend to 'get better' (Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock)Speaking to the Mirror editor Alison Phillips about whether he had found the past few months difficult, he explained: "My only frustration is just I want her to get better. I want her to remember things. I want the apathy to go and I want this person back who was vibrant and interested in things and eager to do new things..."
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Martin heartbreakingly added: "But she's not there at the moment."
Fiona was visibly moved, but also a little confused by her husband’s response.
"Really?" she said. "I hadn't noticed I was being like that." While Martin added: "But you wouldn't because you're in the middle of it."
Clearly Martin has carried a heavy load of responsibility over the past couple of years. The ITV boss has been administering Fiona's trial medication on a regular basis by injecting the drug into her stomach.
But, Fiona revealed: "I try not to rely on him too much.
"And he hasn’t really ramped it up because he has always been good."
Fiona, aged 62, has bravely shared her diagnosis (Philip Coburn)Martin laughed and added: "That's too kind Fiona... I have absolutely ramped it up... Before I didn't ever have to worry about Fiona before and now I do... 'What is she doing all day while I'm at work? What is she doing in the evening if I'm out? what has she eaten?'"
Prior to her diagnosis, the Mirror columnist had been suffering from brain fog and anxiety, which the couple believed was due to the menopause.
Fiona's husband explained: "We thought maybe it was the menopause because all the symptoms were there; brain fog, anxiety and confusion.
"We got in touch with a menopause specialist who took her under their wing and put her on HRT but while that improved some symptoms, the brain fog remained."
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Alzheimer's has affected a number of members of Fiona's family, with her mum, dad and uncle all having previously been diagnosed.
Fiona's two sons, Nat, aged 24, and Mackenzie, 21, were tested for the gene with results coming back stating they do not carry it.
Martin said: "When the results came back as negative it was a huge moment - such an enormous sense of relief. There’s no Alzheimer’s on my side of the family and thank goodness it seems the boys have not inherited from Fiona’s side of the family."
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