Latest news on Jo

Jo has had a difficult weekend with her UTI and other symptoms associated with her tumor and this morning there was a significant down turn in her condition, so much so that we had to call our GP Jonathan Williams who confirmed our worst fears that there had a been definite change.

He has arranged for Jo to go admitted to the Katherine House Hospice ASAP - I've just been informed that it will be tomorrow morning. I hope that she lasts that long I'm uncertain what tomorrow will bring.

I'm don't know what the visiting arrangements at the Hospice so I suggest people ring and check as Jo's condition will determine if she can have visitors. K.H.H. tel .01295 811866.

Short up date

sorry for the delay , but Iwas waiting for some photos from Bob Clewley, He's just started a new Job so understandably that takes precedence.

first an update on Jo's condition. She continues to baffle the medics as she has been quite stable that is until ago when she developed a bowel disorder hence the non appearance at the Bluegrass gig on Sunday this has been compounded with a severe Urinary Tract Infection which continues to make her feel very poorly, and she feels so tired that she spends most of the day asleep.

She doesn't feel like seeing anybody so she apologizes to all who wanted to pay a visit and were disappointed, she Say's as soon as the various antibiotics start to do there job and she feels a bit better, she'd love to see all her friends again - in ones and two's.

as soon as I get some photos from the B&BG I'll update the blog.

Update Sunday 5th July

The last week has seen some baffling changes to Jo's condition, early last week she was critical and giving cause for considerable concern. But by the end of the week her symptoms had markedly improved, she was stringing longer sentences together and she got out of bed for on a couple occasions just to sit down stairs and share conversation with visitors.

She even managed to go down the road for visit a distance of 75 yds being pushed in her wheel chair. the only thing that went wrong occurred on Saturday:she had been suffering a bad water infection that became very bad so much so that we had to call the out of hours doctors service.

Her catheter had blocked an couldn't pass water for 5/6 ours she was in excruciating pain.after numerous phone calls to the District nurse at 6:40pm, some 3 hours later, and after she had changed the catheter the pain eased and she started to improve.

Sunday.

after a comfortable night , Jo is in pain again, we think a change in the antibiotics will improve things, that's considered opinion of the District Nurse who came in this morning, we have a district nurse every morning..

The GP who came to see her is surprised that her condition had improved, he may even talk to the oncologist to see if another ct scan reveals a change in the Tumor which is giving signs of shrinking, though seems great news for Jo the slight improvement in her condition is still not enough to change her quality of life very much, the prospect of being in this condition for months fills her with trepidation, she has now had enough and would like dignified exit.

Her next goal is to be able to go to the Beer & Bluegrass concert next Sunday the 12th to meet up with friends and enjoy the music and good company, we still have a few tickets left if you want to come along.

Update

Jo has had a very good weekend , since the previous weekend which was very scary, she has been put on a drug cocktail that has perked her up no end, but due to her deteriorating condition she is becoming increasingly very tired so the GP and the Macmillan Nurses have asked me to limit her visitors to strictly to 4 persons in any one day, and only family on Sundays as it was all getting too much for her. so please ring in advance and I'll put you in the diary she would love to say good bye to all her friends. but at a leisurely pace that doesn't wipe her out

Change of plan

Jo has changed her mind, she now wants to stay at home right up to the end. So we have cancelled her respite week at the Kathrine House Hospice. It'll make it much harder for Jamie and I, but it's her will and we will get an enormous amont of help from the McMillan nurses.

Jo condition gives cause for concern

After a very bad night Jo has got worse she woke up this morning delerious and very aggitated we called in the Macmillan nurse and he doctor, aftter examining her and talking to her they are of the opinion that Jo is fading rapidly. They contacted the paliative care consultant who prescribed different drugs, basicly to make her comforftable untill the end, whicfh could be any day now. We have a nightnurse on all night.

I'm numb I can't image life without my Jo.

Jo's condition worsens

Since Sunday Jo's has detriorated rather quickly, her speech is now totally inaudible and her movements are very unstable and she has had several falls.

she sleeps alot now which is a sign of the start of the final phase. And her personality has chaged . we all remember her as a soft spoken and chatty person, who allways wore a smile, now she is increasingly withdrawn and she sits for most of the day gazing out at the garden and rocking back and forth in her favourite chair, it is heart breaking to watch.

The dogs are very aware and they no longer spend as much time sitting with her favourite"Millie" our black lab allways used to sit with on her head on Jo's lap: now she goes into her bed something she's never done.

Jo goes into the Kathrine House Hospice a week Friday. I'm afraid that she will not come out.

The beer and bluegrass will still be going ahead regardless - this is Jo's wish, for those of you left that have not bought tickets or know nothing of the event, go to www.beerandbluegrass.co.uk the tickets are going fast so have a look, it's unlikely that Jo will be around for it so we will make it a memorial event.

I'm finishing now as the sleepless nights are begining to take there toll.