Recent Events

14th March 2010

After being so brave and fighting so hard jo sadly lost her battle and passed away on sunday afternoon, she never gave up and spent her last moments with her husband and daughter, surrounded with love. Please help honour Jo and help her memory go on by supporting up and comming events. She will continue to inspire us all. One last push to help complete this journey. We are all eternally grateful for all the support we have recieved. Jo's loving Husband, Matt.

This was written by Jo's Uncle (Beautiful):

"Out beyond the realms of right and wrong..there is a field..I will meet you there.

I will always miss you..you were braver and stronger than I'll ever be...sleep peacefully sweetheart......."

10th March 2010

Matt Here,

Well first I would like to reassure you all that coming home early doesnt mean that treatment isnt working, it simply means that the hospital are keen not to charge us for the bits that dont apply to Jo's condition, they are aware of our situation and run every little detail by me, it is a wonderful place. truely compassionate staff here. It is probable that we will be here for the duration as planned.

On a positive note, Farrin is lighting up the whole hospital and brings smiles and joy to everyone, although this is a Cancer hospital, it is also a happy hospital in the most part.

Farrin and I visited the local shopping centre today for a walk round, it was lovely, we had ice cream, met a marine who had just finished an 18 month tour, he was a really nice guy, we also bought Jo some supplies, to cheer her up. I am definatley converted on the healthy diet as we made the mistake of eating in a "Burger King" I have felt yucky all afternoon because of it, as all ways we took photo's so Jo could see us having fun, we will post them soon, on a day that we arent updating you all as the computer is slow and I dont want to confuse it.

Today we had a blood test to see how well the second platelette transfussion went and they were not up as much as needed, this is partly due to the chemo affecting the bone marrow. we are continueing with steroids (larger different dose). Blood test will be taken daily to monitor thier impact and hopefully within two days things will be back on track.

You do not need to worry, I am doing my best and taking care of my soul mate. it is hard, and frustrating that things are not moving as quick as we would like, but we are in the right hands and still have time for all treatments to be administered.

It is tough and at times it can get emotional, as you are all aware. We are stong, Jo is stronger than you can ever imagine.

Farrin has turned into a bit of a star round here and is speaking basic spanish, she recieves gifts daily from staff and has a que of people that want to dine with her. she is even helping to clear the table after dinner. She counted to 18 by herself today.

9th March 2010

Hope this finds you well.
Am once again a bit gutted as today it seems my platelet count is at an all time low once again and I require another transfusion. This will happen in a few hours time. The doctors are concerned with the standards side affects of a low platelet count which is mainly bleeding easily and have advised me to refrain from sky diving, ice skating and white water rafting to protect my internal organs!! They are happy that once the tranfusion is administered I should feel stronger and better and be able to begin some of the blood filtration treatment tomorrow. They have also said that because of the dropping platelets levels they will not administer the Coley's vaccine (the one where they raise the temperature) as they feel it would not be helpful and so we may come home a little earlier than expected. Although this is all still speculative so please don't yet change any plans (jo & Saeid.) There is also a long list of volunteers to collect us from the airport if need be. The doctors main aim at the moment is to help me feel as strong as possible but to also make sure we are going to be in a good situation to fly home. Thankfully I am feeling alot better with regards to the fluid retention and inflammation of the liver. I am alot less bloated today so at least something is working!!

Lots of love to you all. Don't worry. I'm in the best place for me and it is so nice to know the doctors are on hand here constantly. I'll let you know how the transfusion results come in tomorrow.

Matt & Farrin are off having fun as always. All the nurses are spoiling her with chocolate and a stash of icecream!! And everyone is so impressed with her spanish!!

7th March 2010

Just wanted to let you all know, have had a couple of rough days with the pain. Have been trying to manage without the strong meds but it hasn't worked so I'm just gonna keep on with them so that I can get back on an even keal. I'm having some fluid retention issues around my abdomen and ovaries which is making me really uncomfortable. And it seems my liver is inflamed which means I'm generally feeling like a whale!!! They are trying to combat it through holistic means but we are having to pay for some drugs to reduce the inflammation in the liver and we are giving it one more day before they think about physically draining the fluid (you know I don't want them to do that if they can help it as its painful and it will cost us) but all of this sadly means another days delay on the vaccines that could really help the other area of major discomfort, the breathing so I'm feeling pretty low.
The doctors, matt and farrin keep on pressing me to be positive and patient so that is what I'm trying to do!! Matt & Farrin are doing a great job of keeping my spirits up and wheeling me around the hospital. I can't wait to be feeling better. I know its coming!!

5th March 2010

Have just seen the doctors. They are happy that the platelet transfusion has been completely successful and combined with the immune system boosting stuff they have already done my whole blood count is back at acceptable levels and I do not require a blood transfusion!! They hope to put in a central line either tomorrow or monday so that we can crack on with the vaccination process a.s.a.p as they feel this is what will most benefit my current breathing issues. My blood oxygen is very low but this is due to the inflammation in the lungs and maybe a build up of fluid. I'm having a chest xray today or monday to have a look. They are not keen to drain the fluid and would rather let my immune system and the vaccine do the work which I am really pleased about. The lung drain is such a horrible procedure. I'm still on high doses of steroids to control this in the mean time and I have oxygen on tap which is helping and as we don't have to cover the cost of the pint of blood we can afford the oxygen without concern!!!
I've been a bit emotional today but the doctor assures me it is all part of the detox process and that I am going to feel worse before it gets better.
Matt & Farrin are having a great time. Matt found Farrin a little bike at a car garage for $5 and after a bit of a clean, some electrical tape and a bit of matts art work it looks great. Farrin thinks it is the best thing in the world and it is proving very useful in helping her expel a bit of energy!!!! Every one here is saying what a joy she is to have around and is generally spoiling her. She has made lots of friends and particularly an old couple from New York who are really funny but has also met some little children at the local park.
The patients here are often returning for week long or weekend treatments but all bring amazing stories of survival and hope with them which is really encouraging. The whole hospital is mainly holistic/integral cancer treatment but the top floor specialises in Dr Issels work an particularly the "vaccines" he developed which have had some great successes.
We have finally got into a good sleep routine, well Matt & Farrin have, I'm just sleeping all the time!! The food continues to be wonderful and even Matt is enjoying it!! He and Farrin went out for a nice meal yesterday so at least he got a proper meat fix!!!

Lots of love to you all. We miss you. Will keep you posted of any further developments.

2nd March 2010

I've just had the most thorough exam from a doctor I have ever had!!! I have had a round of supplements and already had loadsa juices. I'm hooked up to a drip of ozone and b17 which I will have daily. They are exceptionally thorough. We have a top floor apartment with glass walls the room is lovely. The hosp is lovely with nice court yards we are going to play in this afternoon. The town is a border town and not pretty but the beach is fine and our days are laid out for us with treatment learning and relaxation so there's plenty to keep us busy. We just need to find a toddler group for Farrin.
The journey was long and hard but Farrin did great. I feel like I've run a marathon but I'm here to rest so that is what I'm going to do!! The air stewardesses have said they will def get us an upgrade on the way back!! (we didn’t get one on the way there I was gutted and cried for half an hour) They did what they could to make the journey comfortable.
You really all can relax. It is an amazing feeling to be resident in a hospital and to know there is someone here 24 7. It is the most relaxed I have been in 2 years!!! The doctors and nurses are all really laid back but confident about everything. The whole hospital facility is very good though. They treat everything here and have integral cancer treatment programs as well as the issels stuff. It such a fantastic feeling to be safe and looked after and to have mat & farrin here with me too!! I feel so happy and glad we have made it this far. We just need people to keep the funds coming while we are away!!! And the food is amazing!!!

Any way just thought I'd send something to put your mind at ease. Will be in touch soon. Not too much though as I'm healing myself and its gonna keep me kinda busy!!!
Lotsa love to you all
Jo XX

Good Evening,

We arrive safe and very tired after a tough journey, farrin was amazing, Jo suffered at the end, but we are here and slowly getting into the mind set, its all about "calm and happy" as this contributes so much towards everything, nevermind the treatment or even being here, Jo has had the most thorough examination that i have ever witnessed, which is bitter sweet for me,......what the heck have they been doing in the uk?! we are very happy with the way things have gone, and Jo has started treatment and is being treated like a vip, we had three doctors and two nurses with us at one stage just getting to know us and making sure they are all on the same page. Brilliant!

We have to have a platelet transfusion before treatment can go ahead, following the results of several blood tests we had this morning at 7am, it was decided that this was the best course of action, I happen to agree, and am impressed that this will all be completed today so that we can get started with the other processes tomorrow. What with the recent issues back home, it was not really a surprise to me.

The only problem being that this was not covered in the cost's, Mrs Issels herself has kindly paid $600.00 for us (as they are aware of our financial situation) but it left us with the remaining balance of $920.00 which came as a financial shock, going by our recent experience, it is the right thing to do, jo is bruising at the slightest touch and it is a must. and she will be so much better as soon as it is done. So we will deal with it all when we return home.

PLEASE KEEP PUSHING THE CAUSE AND THE FUNDRAISING!!

Farrin has been great, she has eaten the most healthy food you have ever seen, I am sure you will notice a difference in all of us just due to dietary improvements.

The area itself doesnt have much to offer, but we are not on holiday, and it is a great excuse for me and Farrin to find fun things to do and entertain ourselves.

In short, dont worry we are here and Jo is being taken care of. It is a great place, and having spoken with many other patients I am confident that we have done the right thing.

Until next time.

Take Care

Matt

x

February 20th 2010

Today was an amazing day. A gentleman named Andrew Reynolds kindly donated £10,000 to our fund. He is an amazing man who does a lot of work for many different charities and saw the article in the Chichester News about our forth coming "Cabaret 4 Cancer" and our fundraising mission. He called us on the telephone and delivered the cheque to our home. This donation has tipped us over the edge and we are now able to book the tickets to go to the Issles Centre in Mexico Monday 1st March for one month. I have been in consultation with the Doctors there and they are confidant that they can help my current symptoms and provide me with some well needed treatment and healing. My husband and daughter will be able to attend with me so that I can have the benefit of their love and support throughout the program. We still need to keep the funds coming as I would like to pay back the loan that my parents have taken on my behalf and we also need to make sure that there are funds available in case of any medical emergency I may encounter. I may also need to have conventional treatment while I am in Mexico as my condition is so advanced and this would have to be paid for privately. So your help is still desperately needed. I would like to take this opportunity to thank every one that has helped so far. It has been an amazing and overwhelming experience. I am truly awe inspired by the love, kindness, effort and determination of family friends and complete strangers. It has reminded us what a wonderful world we live in and that people are truly good and kind at the heart of things.

February 2010

Well the worst news possible came this week. The cancer has travelled to my liver and my other organs are weakened. I have Lymphiangitis which is another lung condition which is making it difficult for me to breathe and my immune system is low so I have had to have a blood transfusion to hopefully give me a boost before the doctors try our one last chemotherapy hope. I am dreading chemo as I know it will make me very sick and weaken my body further. I am concerned that it could finish me off. I desperately want to raise enough money to get to the Issels treatment centre to take part in their month long immunotherapy program, as I feel it is my last hope. I am pursuing a new diet with no caffiene, no sugar, no refined flour, so no carbs. Its tough but has had remarkable results so I have to try. I just hope its not too little too late.

6th September 09
After 6 months of feeling OK I had that awful feeling in my chest. It was starting to get hard to breathe again and I new right from the start of it that my lung was filling up with fluid. Everyone told me to be positive but it wasn't about that. It was about knowing my own body and being so constantly paranoid of any pain or problem that the second something changes, I know it. I went to my GP had a chest x-ray and he had observed a slight increase on the fluid on the left side again. My oncologist was on holiday so i had to wait 2 weeks for her return before anything could actually happen. She was decisive. A chest drain and then chemotherapy again. So last week I had to go through the ordeal of having my lung drained. A tube forced in between your ribs and into the lining of the lung where it stays overnight to let the fluid drain off. Nearly two litres. I slept on the ward in a bed next to an elderly lady who was sadly very confused and unhappy and was giving the nurses hell. It was not somewhere I could relax. They put the powder in my lung again and I stayed a second night. It was all excruciating painful and demoralising but my daughter and husband came to see me on the ward which was a special treat. My daughter did say" Mummy, I don't like your tube" (the drainage tube) "No my darling, I don't like it either but don't worry, it's making mummy better!" I replied.
Well I have screamed and cried and gone through several bouts of paralyzing fear but none of it has done me any good so I'll stop!!! I need to heal and that is the only way forward.
Another problem has come up which is driving me crazy, my teeth. I have a bit of a phobia and have neglected my teeth over the years and also with nhs dentistry in crisis as it is in this country I have been waiting a year and a half to get my teeth sorted. Now I can't start chemo until my teeth are sorted and i can't get my teeth sorted until I have been off the drugs I take for my bones because of nasty side affects. Its just never ending!!!! So I see the doctor tomorrow for my teeth and hopefully I won't have to have my lung drained again before we can sort the teeth and get on the chemo!!