Alex Trebek Says His Wife "Has Given Her All to Help Me Survive" in New Video

From Good Housekeeping

• Alex Trebek posted a new video update celebrating his survival after being diagnosed with stage-4 pancreatic cancer.

• The Jeopardy! host revealed that he's struggled with depression and shared more details on how chemotherapy impacted his health.

• He also paid tribute to his wife, Jean, while speaking on how he plans to stay motivated for another year of battling cancer ahead.

It's been a challenging year for Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek, to say the least — a year ago this week, the 79-year-old first announced that he had been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. Throughout the year, fans have marveled at just how strong Trebek seemed to be and how resilient he was despite a heart-breaking diagnosis; the television icon continued to work on set in the midst of treatment, even hosting special events including the recent Champions' tournament. But the reality is that Trebek is human, after all, and a new video posted today on his diagnosis' anniversary reveals just how tough it's been for him. Filming on the Jeopardy! stage, Trebek started off by sharing that the one-year survival rate for those diagnosed with stage-4 pancreatic cancer is just 18%.

"I'd be lying if I said the journey had been an easy one — there were some good days, but a lot of not so good days," Trebek said, explaining that the intense sessions of chemotherapy he's completed have been particularly challenging. "There were moments of great pain, days when certain bodily functions would no longer function, and sudden massive attacks of great depression that made me wonder if it really was worth fighting on."

In true fashion, though, Trebek says he eventually pushed past his feelings to realize how blessed he is with support. "But I brushed that aside quickly, because that would have been a massive betrayal: A betrayal of my wife and soulmate, Jean, who has given her all to help me survive," he said. "A betrayal of other cancer patients who have looked to me as an inspiration and a cheerleader of sorts on the value of living and hope, and it would certainly have been a betrayal in my faith of God and the millions of prayers that have been said on my behalf."

While he's previously shared that initial chemotherapy treatment shrunk his cancerous tumors by upwards of 50%, Trebek admitted that he has a long road ahead of him still, and he's constantly on a battle to best this life-changing diagnosis. "My oncologist tried to cheer me up the other day," he shared. "Even though the two-year survival rate is only 7%, he was certain one year from now the two of us would be sitting in his office, celebrating my second anniversary of survival."

Many Jeopardy! fans agree: They have rallied around Trebek as a shining example of what positive thoughts and affirmations can do for cancer patients.

For now, Trebek is focusing on the next year ahead — and how he can continue to inspire viewers, fans, and fellow cancer patients to get up and fight everyday. "And you know something, if I — no, if we, because so many of us are involved in this situation — if we take it just one day at a time with a positive attitude, anything is possible."

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