‘This is not the last time you will see me. It isn’t:’ Kate Garraway reveals her Covid-stricken husband Derek’s last words to her as he was loaded into ambulance and his ‘heartbreaking’ texts from hospital before going into coma
- In new book, Kate Garraway tells in raw detail about her husband Derek’s ordeal
- TV host, 53, describes how toughest experience of her life began in March 2020
- The Power Of Hope also includes examples of her husband’s texts from hospital
- More will be revealed in a serialisation of her new memoir in The Mail on Sunday
TV presenter Kate Garraway has revealed the heart-breaking text messages that her husband sent her before he was put into an induced coma during his year-long battle against Covid.
In her new memoir – edited extracts of which are being exclusively serialised by The Mail on Sunday from tomorrow – she tells in raw detail about Derek’s ordeal and pays tribute to ‘the brilliant team of doctors and specialists’ who’ve looked after him and how what they’ve learnt has helped the treatment of others.
The 53-year-old Good Morning Britain presenter describes how the toughest experience of her life began in March last year when Derek, then 52, was taken to hospital with very low oxygen levels.
TV presenter Kate Garraway (pictured above), 53, has revealed the heart-breaking text messages that her husband sent her before he was put into an induced coma
The Good Morning Britain presenter describes how the toughest experience of her life began in March last year when Derek Draper (above), then 52, was taken to hospital
As he was lifted into an ambulance, Kate said he told her: ‘This is not the last time you will see me. It isn’t.’ But she admits ‘he would never have said that if at least a small part of him hadn’t been wondering if it was.’
During the rollercoaster next few days, Kate truly feared her political lobbyist-turned-psychotherapist husband was going to die.
In one phone call, he told her: ‘I want you at the funeral.’
Kate’s book, The Power Of Hope, includes examples of her husband’s texts from hospital, revealed in tomorrow’s Mail on Sunday.
She writes: ‘His messages became more and more desperate. They were heart-breaking to read.’
After more 373 days in hospital, Derek was allowed home earlier this month.
He has not regained his speech and remains seriously ill. Doctors say he was the most seriously sick patient to have survived the virus.
Last week, Kate told viewers on Good Morning Britain: ‘It has been wonderful having Derek at home. There have been lots of little positives – moments of recognition and reaction.’
Kate and Derek pictured in December 2019. Kate’s book, The Power Of Hope, includes examples of her husband’s texts from hospital, revealed in tomorrow’s Mail on Sunday
After more 373 days in hospital, Derek (pictured in hospital) was allowed home earlier this month. He has not regained his speech and remains seriously ill
Explaining why she had written the book, Kate, who is also a Smooth Radio presenter, says: ‘I’m painfully aware that Derek would have wanted to tell his own story if he could – and one day he still may.
‘I have tried to do him – and all those who love him – justice, and his love and life are present in every line.
‘On an emotional level, I hope readers will also draw something from how we, his family, have struggled to cope.’
The Power Of Hope by Kate Garraway (Transworld Publishers Ltd, £20). To order a copy for £16 go to www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3308 9193. Free UK delivery on orders over £20. Promotional price valid until April 28.
Garraway pictured with Derek, their daughter Darcey, 15, and son Billy, 11. Last week, Kate told viewers on Good Morning Britain: ‘It has been wonderful having Derek at home’
