Alex Trebek Credits Wife of 29 Years with Being His Rock Amid Cancer Battle

Canadian-American television personality, Alex Trebek appreciates his wife for her support throughout his cancer journey. The 78-year-old has endured lots of pain ever since he found out about the cancer.

After going through chemotherapy and other forms of treatments, Trebek recently received some good news from his physicians that his tumors have started shrinking.

Not only Trebek and his large number of fans are excited to learn about the amazing news, the TV host's wife of 29 years — who has been his rock through it all — Jean Currivan was ecstatic to learn of the good news. Trebek says in PEOPLE’s new cover story:

“Jeannie is wonderful, she cried, of course, this morning when she got the [good] news [about my tumors shrinking]. But it’s been a lot. It’s a lot of pressure.”

The "Jeopardy" host went on to sympathize with others who might be in the same shoes as his family is currently in, saying:

“My heart goes out to caregivers. Because they have to deal with their loved ones suffering and they also don’t always know how to help because there’s not much they can do, except try to make you feel more comfortable, at ease and not worry about ordinary stuff."

The 78-year-old game show host also revealed an alarming truth that he suffered from depression after the doctors told him of the deadly diseases.

Alex and Jean tied the knot in 1990, and they share two children — Matthew, 28, and Emily, 25, who their parents consider as introverts because they'd rather stay at home and watch movies than going to parties to have fun.

When Alex was asked about his children's reaction to his situation, he replied:

“They look at me as Mr. Strong, they think, if anybody’s going to beat this, dad will. They’re very positive, and until I demonstrate otherwise, they’re going to continue in that vein."

Feeling good with himself, Trebek made a sweet joke about how he wishes he had met his wife when he was a lot younger. He said:

"I guess if I'd met her when I was in my twenties, she wouldn't have been born yet. But hey, 29 years is pretty good."

Alex, who was previously married to Elaine Calle in 1974, initially revealed the news of his pancreatic cancer diagnosis in a video message on March 6. He began:

“Hi everyone, I have some news to share with all of you. And it’s in keeping with my longtime policy of being open and transparent with our Jeopardy! Fan base.”

Before revealing the sad news, he said:

“I also wanted to prevent you from reading or hearing some overblown or inaccurate reports regarding my health. So, therefore, I wanted to be the one to pass along this information."

He progressed:

“Now, just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week, I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer."

The news shocked America, and his fans took to the comment section to wish him well and pray for him. Some even went as far as sending advice which Alex revealed gave him more reason and courage to fight the deadly disease.