07 April 2020

Man comes up with novel way to support wife during cancer treatment as he's not allowed inside hospital

An American man was determined to support his wife through chemotherapy sessions despite coronavirus restrictions meaning he wasn't allowed inside the hospital with her.

So, Albert Conner from Texas, who has attended every test, treatment and appointment alongside his wife Kelly since she was diagnosed with breast cancer in January, set up an impromptu camp outside the window with banners bearing messages from him and their children.

The sign read: "I can't be with you but I'm here." It continued with 'love you'  followed by a 'thank you' to hospital staff.

Kelly, who is receiving treatment at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Sugar Land, Texas, shared a photo of her husband on Facebook alongside a photo of herself in her room hooked up to a machine and wearing a protective mask.

The caption alongside the photos read: "No visitors allowed for Chemo due to the virus but that didn't stop Albert L. Conner!

"Thank you for all your continued love and support," she added.

Kelly uploaded the photos of her inside receiving treatment, while husband Albert camped outside (Facebook: Kelly Conner)

Speaking to Good Morning America, the 44-year-old father of three said: "I didn’t feel right not being a part of it because I had promised her that I would be there every step of the way and I felt like I would be breaking my word.

"I just got a poster board and our kids and I coloured it," he added.

Kelly admitted she thought her husband was still at home after she drove herself to the hospital, telling him she was fine to go on her own while he stayed with the kids.

Her phone then buzzed with a message from her husband to tell her he was in the car park.

"As soon as he texted me, I just kind of lifted up in my chair a little bit to peer out the window and he was just right there," she said. 

"It immediately brought tears to my eyes and I felt a love for him right then in that moment, that he would do that for me."

Albert also thanked hospital staff in his sign to his wife (Facebook: @Kelly Conner)

The pair admitted it had initially been heartbreaking news that Albert could not attend sessions with his wife, but supported the decision.

"When you just reflect on everything and think about all the nurses and doctors and other patients, it makes perfect sense," said Albert.

"You really can’t argue it. You just have to support it any way you can."

The family are hoping they can be by Kelly's side when she rings the bell to celebrate beating the illness, but Albert has said even if they can't be there, he will be outside the window ringing his own bell.

Kelly is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer (Facebook: Kelly Conner)

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