Valerie Harper's Husband Tony Says He Will Not Put Her Into Hospice Care

Jul 25, 2019 by apost team

Valerie Harper’s husband Tony Cacciotti is going against doctors orders and will not be putting his wife in hospice care. Cacciotti wants to take care of Harper because of their "40 years of shared commitment to each other."

Harper is best known for portraying Rhoda Morgenstern in ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show’ in the 70s. 

Cacciotti stated in a facebook post from Harper's page the reasoning of why he will not put the actress into the care center.

"I have been told by doctors to put Val in Hospice care and I can’t [because of our 40 years of shared commitment to each other] and I won’t because of the amazing good deeds she has graced us with while she’s been here on earth."

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Her husband continued, "We will continue going forward as long as the powers above allow us, I will do my very best in making Val as comfortable as possible...For those of you who have been in this position, you will totally understand that “it’s hard letting go.” So as long as I’m able and capable, I’ll be where I belong right beside her."

According to CNN, the actress was first diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009. In 2013, she was told by her doctors that she also had leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, a rare complication of cancer were the illness spreads to the membranes that surround the spinal cord and brain. She was given 3 months to live.  

"The disease I have is quite a rare cancer and it is located in a limited area -- a very widespread area, but narrow,” Harper told CNN back in 2013. “So a lot can happen if the cancer starts getting really aggressive, pressing on parts of the brain and causing me to lose either my speech or my ability to think, etc.” 

Luckily, Harper managed to pull through and is still with us 6 years later. Deanna, a friend of the family, set up a GoFundMe page earlier this month to reach out to people to help the 79-year-old and her family with the costs associated with her care. 

“Valerie has been grateful over the years for the medical breakthroughs along this difficult journey but insurance doesn't cover everything. There are unrelenting medical costs on a continuous basis,” She wrote. “Valerie is currently taking a multitude of medications and chemotherapy drugs as well as... 

...going through extreme physical and painful challenges now with around the clock, 24/7 care immediately needed which is not covered by insurance.  This is just part of the daily cost that is without a doubt a financial burden that could never be met alone. This GoFundMe initiative from Tony is to ensure she receives the best care possible.” 

Fans who caught wind of the fundraiser took action by sharing it on their social media pages in order to raise awareness. One fan wrote: 

“After the lifetime of joy @ValerieHarper has given me, it was a pleasure to donate to this”

Another wrote: 

“If she made you laugh, or able to be a proud “Rhoda” to friends then give some back. I got the pleasure of meeting her a couple years back. A bright star of love.  Need to vote blue so all of us don’t have to…”

Our hearts go out to Valerie's family at this time. Send her your support in the comments below- and make sure you pass this along to your friends and family!