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Alex Trebek Speaks Candidly About Feeling Like A Burden During Cancer Battle

Alex Trebek has been honest with fans about his battle with pancreatic cancer. The”Jeopardy!”host is fighting for his life. However, in a recent interview, he admits sometimes he feels like giving up.

Trebek’s Experimental Cancer Treatment

The 79-year-old Trebek is currently being treated with experimental immunotherapy. Pancreatic cancer is deadly and the treatments are exhausting, but he has remarkably managed to continue being the face of the longstanding game show. He has hosted more than 8,000 episodes of the show for the last 36 years.

Not only is he battling cancer but he’s doing so during a pandemic, which adds greater stress and obstacles.

Trebek also recently tweeted a video to “Jeopardy!” fans about upcoming shows as well as a health update. A healthy looking and sounding Alex appeared strong as he records show intros from home during the pandemic.

“I feel like I wanna die.”

Fans are cheering Trebek on as he continues his battle against this monster. He has been cheerful, but he is certainly human and susceptible to bouts of depression and fatigue.

At times he has great concern for what a strain and burden he has been on his wife. But, marriage is about being there in sickness and in health.

From ABC News:

“There was one day a few weeks ago when Jeanie [Trebek’s wife, Jean Trebek] asked me in the morning, ‘How do you feel?’ And I said, ‘I feel like I wanna die.’ It was that bad,” said Trebek. “I apologize to her and explain that it has nothing to do with my love for her or my feelings for her. It just has to do with the fact that I feel like I’m a terrible burden to her. And that bothers me tremendously.”

In September of last year, Trebek first revealed the mental toll that cancer has had on him, saying that he sometimes feels a “surge of sadness” and “depression.” Despite feeling like a “burden,” he said his wife has helped him get through the toughest moments.

“She’s a saint,” said Trebek, choking up while describing Jean, his wife of 30 years. “She has so much goodness in her that she is always giving out, always putting out to help me get over difficult moments. And there have been some difficult moments. I’m just in awe of the way she handles it.”

‘Jeopardy!’ Host’s Numbers Are Improving

So far, Trebek has had success with his treatments and his numbers are decreasing. But, he is realistic about his future. He reports that if the treatments ultimately fail, he is “not going to go to any extraordinary measures to ensure my survival.”

“They understand that there is a certain element regarding quality of life,” the game show host said. “And if the quality of life is not there — it’s hard sometimes to push. And just say, ‘Well, I’m gonna keep going even though I’m miserable.”

Trebek has had such an outpouring of love and support from his fans that he decided to write a memoir about his life.

“The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life” will allow fans a window into his life and what drives his work ethic during these tough times. Trebek’s book goes on sale this Tuesday.

Take a look at Alex Trebek’s very candid interview:

Erin Perri

A mom first and conservative Christian second, Erin credits a midwestern upbringing and deep military roots for her no-nonsense perspective on life and family in America today.