He spent months sleeping on the couch supporting his wife
Chuck Norris is a well-known figure in the entertainment industry, known for his skills as a martial artist, as well as his work as an actor, producer, and screenwriter. He is also recognized for his strong marriage with his wife, Gena O’Kelley.
Norris and O’Kelley met in 1997 when she had a small role in a TV series he was starring in. They hit it off and got married a year later, despite their significant 23-year age difference. Together they had twins, as well as children from previous relationships.
Their marriage was put to the test in 2013 when O’Kelley suffered serious medical complications after undergoing several MRI tests and contrast imaging. The injections containing gadolinium, a heavy metal with magnetic properties, caused her to experience nerve pain, muscle weakness, and brain fog.
Norris put his career on hold to care for his wife, sleeping on the couch next to her for five months while she worked on her recovery. Despite doctors’ initial assurances that everything would be fine, Norris began to suspect that something was wrong and eventually contacted a doctor in Nevada.
It was discovered that a large amount of the gadolinium had remained in O’Kelley’s body, leading to her extended illness. The FDA had issued a warning in 2007 about the risks of gadolinium, but O’Kelley did not fall into the category of those with weak kidneys who were at higher risk.
Norris and O’Kelley are now using their platform to raise awareness about the need for greater gadolinium regulation. Norris reflected on the experience, noting that it was a helpless feeling to see his wife suffering and that he was grateful that they were able to get through it together.
