Singer Kelis’ husband Mike Mora documented his battle with stomach cancer on social media months before his death at the age of 37.
Last September, Mora, the husband of 42-year-old singer Kelis, revealed he had cancer and had been diagnosed a year earlier when doctors had given him just 18 months to live.
In a series of raw posts, the photographer shared his fear of death and said he never thought it could happen to him.
“I never thought this could happen to me,” he captioned a photo of a drip in his hand. “I am only 36, I have three children and a wife who loves me. I want to be able to help those who may be experiencing something similar – a life-changing illness full of questions and doubts – maybe hopefully. Showing that it can be done. You always see people writing about how life is too short. How you should reach out to those you love, no matter where life takes you. It’s true. Don’t take your time here, your time with friends, family, for granted. S*** can end just like that!
On Monday, Kelis’ representatives confirmed that her husband had died at the age of 37 after a six-month battle with stage four stomach cancer, and asked fans to respect her privacy during this time.
Last September, Mora shared a photo of an IV in his hand on Instagram and wrote that he never thought it could happen to him.
Mora documented his battle with stomach cancer in a series of heartbreaking Instagram posts.
RIP: Kelis’ husband Mike Mora has died at age 37 after battling stage four stomach cancer (pictured together in October 2021)
“Unfortunately, it is true that Mike Mora has passed away. We ask everyone to respect the privacy of Kelis and her family right now. Thank you,” said Steve Satterwaite of Red Light Management.
The singer has not yet publicly commented on her husband’s departure.
Kelis and Mora married in 2014 and welcomed son Shepherd in 2015 and a daughter in September 2020, whose name has not been released.
The singer also has a 12-year-old son, Knight, with ex-husband Nas, whom she was married to from 2005 to 2010.
Kelis and Mora have been living on a remote farm in Temecula, California outside of Los Angeles since January 2020, which they have managed and raised their children together.
In October 2021, he published a “scary” diagnostic form that circled the words “gastric adenocarcinoma with diffuse type/signs of cricoid cells (poorly cohesive carcinoma)”.
He shared a photo of a UCLA man that “was taken while I was being transferred to the UC Santa Monica Oncology Department from the nearby Ronald Reagan Hospital.”
In late September 2021, Mora first revealed that he had stage 4 stomach cancer that had spread to the lymph nodes in his back.
He posted a photo of a resuscitator’s back as he transferred to UCLA’s oncology department in Santa Monica from nearby Ronald Reagan Hospital.
In the text above the photo, he said that his journey began when he felt severe pain in his stomach, which deprived him of his appetite.
“After six very lonely nights full of anxiety, confusion, questions… I am very worried about my wife and brand new girl. Galilee was born exactly 17 days before this happened.”
“All this time I thought I just had an ulcer and I had no idea what was going to happen,” he added.
“This gentleman, Latin brotha, has seen how weak I am. He looked back at me before leaving my room and said “I’ve seen people come out of the craziest situations, be strong bro you got it.” I will never forget his face…” Mora took a picture.
“They said 18 months. It’s been exactly 12. That’s it.. Scared as hell… The story will go on.. Love you @kelis,” he concluded.
In October 2021, he published a “scary” diagnostic form that circled the words “gastric adenocarcinoma with diffuse type/signs of cricoid cells (poorly cohesive carcinoma)”.
Maura pictured with son Shepherd and son Kelis Knight in a 2018 Father’s Day post.
Long-term couple: Kelis and Mike got married in 2014 and welcomed their second child, a daughter, in September 2020. They also have a six year old son named Shepard.
“The story continues,” he captioned the post. “So, on the morning of my last stay at the UCLA hospital, the doctors came into my room and told me the most terrible, unexpected news … I did not understand the language written on this paper. All I could tell from their expressions was that it was a bad diagnosis. It was the most terrible diagnosis. And they were afraid for me. I asked how they were going to help me. They said there was nothing more they could do for me. I had to look for some solution … Terrible days.
“The story will continue. Love you, Kelis,” he added.
Following the news of his death, fellow photographer Brian Bowen Smith shared a heartfelt tribute to More on Instagram on Monday.
Tribute: On Monday, another photographer, Brian Bowen Smith, shared a heartfelt tribute on his Instagram.
Tribute: Musician Dallas Austin also posted an Instagram tribute, adding, “All I can say is we LOVE YOU DEARLY, Mikey,” with a red heart.
WHAT IS GASTRIC CANCER?
Stomach cancer, or gastric cancer, is a relatively rare type of cancer that affects about 6,600 people in the UK each year.
The initial symptoms of stomach cancer are vague and easily confused with other less serious conditions.
These include: heartburn or indigestion that doesn’t go away, severe belching, lack of appetite, and feeling full after eating small amounts.
Other possible symptoms include pain in the upper abdomen, weight loss, nausea, difficulty swallowing, blood in the stool, feeling tired, and sometimes shortness of breath due to anemia.
Because the early symptoms are similar to many conditions, gastric cancer is often advanced by the time it is diagnosed.
Source: NHS Choice and Macmillan.
“Saddened to hear that our dear friend Mike passed away last night. It was such a pleasure to work with you. I loved all your questions and your passion for your family and photography,” he began.
‘Reminds me of me. Sending love to my wife and family. Mike was sick for a minute, but he enjoyed being on set. Today we will think of you in every frame. A great example of why you need to live every day to the fullest.
“And be very full every day you are here. I love you MM. Way soon. He was an amazing photographer and would go far. The sweetest guy I’ve ever met. check out his @mikemorafotos page,” he concluded.
Musician Dallas Austin also posted an Instagram tribute, adding, “All I can say is we LOVE YOU DEARLY, Mikey,” with a red heart emoji.
“This is fucking sad. When I interviewed her, Kelis seemed so happy. They just had a baby! wrote author Roxanne Gay on Twitter.
“It’s so depressing. When I met Kelis, we bonded over the fact that Mike and I were Colombians from the same city, and my god, she glowed just telling me about him, his family, and all the Colombian food they cooked together.” tweeted writer Alberto Daly. “I can’t imagine this pain.”
“Sending love to Kelis,” actress Kelechi Okafor tweeted after the news.
“Sending Kelis and her children all my love. I hoped her husband’s story didn’t end this way,” writer Amber Janai tweeted.