Denise Fox (Diane Parish) has been placed into a medically induced coma in EastEnders after doctors delivered a devastating update in her cancer battle. The character, diagnosed in June with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), an aggressive form of blood cancer requiring urgent treatment, has undergone two rounds of intense chemotherapy. However, doctors recently informed her that neither round had the desired effect.
A stem cell transplant is the next phase of treatment. While Walford residents gathered at the community centre to be tested as potential matches, Denise received further sad news: her infection had developed into sepsis, requiring her to be taken into intensive care and put on a ventilator.
Doctor's Warning
'We need to put you into a medically induced coma,' said the consultant. Denise asked if there was a possibility the sepsis could worsen while she was in a coma and that she might not wake up. The doctor confirmed there is a small possibility of such an event but reiterated that her chance of survival is 'greatly increased' by the ventilation.
Denise and Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) broke down as they attempted to process the news. Jack suggested going to get the kids, but Denise was adamant she couldn't see them. 'I can't say goodbye,' she said through tears.
Emotional Farewell
Later, Denise was taken to intensive care where doctors prepped her for sedation. In emotional scenes, she asked Jack to tell all her children that she loves them and discussed practical details, including where her will was stored. Jack held her hand tightly, telling her he loves her as doctors sedated her.
Meanwhile, back in the Square, Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) had a huge breakthrough when she discovered via an ancestry website that Denise has a half-brother who could prove to be a stem cell match. Jack and Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) smiled through their tears when they were notified, desperately hoping this unexpected update will save Denise's life.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or streams from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
