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15th July 2023
04:46pm BST
The husband of a TikTok star who documented her cancer battle on the platform has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his wife after she lost her battle with the disease.
Haley Odlozil, 30, passed away earlier this week, eight years after being diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer.
Haley's partner, Taylor, who often appeared alongside her in the videos, broke the news on TikTok in a pos that has been viewed almost 20 million times in under 24 hours and prompted an outpouring of emotion from commenters.
Taylor told of the immense sadness and grief that he and his entire family felt following his wife's passing.
He told of the profound love Haley had for him, their son Weston, her family, and friends, and how that fuelled her battle to stay alive.
"It is with unbelievable sadness that I tell all of you my sweet Haley has passed away," he wrote in a caption accompanying a video tribute.
"I cannot begin to describe the amount of heartache and grief myself and our entire family is experiencing."
Taylor's statement continued: "I never knew my heart could physically hurt. Ive never seen someone fight so hard to live. Her love for me, Weston, her family, & her friends is what has kept her going for so many years, especially the last 8 months."
Taylor said he felt "so blessed to have had Haley a part of my life for 16 years", describing taking care of her as a "true honour."
"I am so grateful for the lessons I have learned from Haley. As the husband I have seen every moment. The happy ones and the sad ones. One thing I can tell you, she suffered greatly fighting this disease that slowly tore her body apart for the last 8 years.
"The thought of her being completely healed in a body with no pain and no scars in heaven makes me so incredibly happy for her but so overwhelmingly sad Im not there to see it.
"My fear of death is so much less knowing I will get to see her one day completely healed. I cannot wait for that day."
Taylor said he was "so thankful" he got to see wife wife fulfil "her life purpose of becoming a mum."
"She was an incredible mother. My heart breaks most for Weston. I don't think he will ever fully understand what he meant to Haley. He was everything to her."
The statement continued: "I love you Haley. More than I can put into words. You are a part of who I am and I will never stop loving you. I can't wait to see you again."
Taylor went on to thank the couple's friends and family for their support, and those who followed her fight.
"Because of who Haley is, her story has exploded across the world. I've received emails and messages from people from just about every country. She has changed so many people and brought awareness to this terrible disease.
"I'm so proud of that. She always said she didn't want her suffering to be wasted. Haley wanted people to learn from her. I would say she accomplished that!"
Taylor said due to Haley's huge following, he was unable to share funeral arrangements, and would also be taking a break from social media for a while.
Haley's TikTok updates drew the support of millions of followers who watched as she battled on.
In one tear-jerking video in May, Haley's hospice nurse presented her little boy with a Build-A-Bear stuffed animal that contained a recording of Haley's heartbeat.
Haley told how Weston would refer to the stuffed animal as his "mommy bear" and found comfort in cuddling it before bed.
"When you can't see Mommy or feel Mommy, where am I?" Hayley would ask, to which Weston would reply, "In my heart."
The hospice also gave Taylor a framed copy of the heartbeat recording.
Thousands of people responded to Taylor's social media post, sharing in his grief.
One wrote: "My heart is broken for you. Fly with the angels beautiful Haley. You all are in my prayers."
Another added: "Oh no :( I come and check this page every day to see her fighting to live and my heart dropped when I saw this post. Rest in peace."
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