EastEnders fans were left devastated as Denise Fox's cancer battle took a heartbreaking turn, with the character placed into a medically induced coma after developing sepsis. The businesswoman, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) weeks ago, had been told her second round of chemotherapy was not fighting the disease as doctors had hoped.
Condition deteriorates
In Monday's episode of the BBC soap, Denise's consultant told her she was "very unwell" and had developed a chest infection, which later turned into sepsis. Sepsis occurs when the body has an extreme response to an infection and is life-threatening. She was transferred to the intensive care unit as a matter of urgency and told she would receive assistance to breathe.
"At this point, Denise, we need to breathe for you," the consultant said, before confirming she would be placed on a ventilator and into a medically induced coma. While there was a "small" chance she wouldn't wake up, the consultant was confident her condition would improve with ventilation support.
Family reactions and donor search
Denise's partner Jack was left distraught and asked for time with her away from the doctors. "You don't have to be pressured into this," he warned, citing Martha's Law, which gives families, patients and carers access to a rapid clinical review if a patient's condition is deteriorating and they want another opinion.
"I'm not ready," an emotional Denise said before struggling to breathe. Her sister Kim was informed over the phone and, despite suffering from a cold, was determined to see her before the coma. Denise did not want her young son Raymond to see her in that way.
Meanwhile, Walford residents held a stem cell donor search at the community centre. At home, Denise met a relative, Darnell L J, who is a 25 per cent DNA match and identified as a half-sibling. However, his account on the ancestry website had been deactivated, prompting Patrick to suggest looking through a family memory box to find Denise's biological father and work out who Darnell is.
Fans praise Diane Parish
Fans took to social media to praise actress Diane Parish, who plays Denise. One said: "EastEnders was a hard and upsetting watch today but very beautifully acted." Another added: "I had tears today very hard watch well done to everyone with the acting." A third commented: "I was in flood of tears I hope they do not kill her off." A fourth wrote: "I shed a tear was heartbreaking."
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
