A Place in the Sun's Jonnie Irwin has given fans a health update amid his terminal cancer battle – revealing that he has just started hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
The 49 year old first shared that he had terminal lung cancer in November 2022, but had initially been diagnosed in 2020. Speaking to Hello! at the time, he said: "I don't know how long I have left, but I try to stay positive and my attitude is that I'm living with cancer, not dying from it."
Since going public with his diagnosis, the cancer has spread to Jonnie's brain, with the presenter undergoing a myriad of treatments over the course of the last few years.
However, despite the cards being stacked against him, Jonnie has remained positive throughout, and has been a source of inspiration to all. Especially to his young family – his wife, Jess, and their three sons: Rex, who was born in 2018 and twins Rafa and Cormac, who they welcomed in 2020.
Here, we take a look at what Jonnie has been going through since he announced his diagnosis, from his change in lifestyle to the different treatments.
March 2023: Jonnie celebrated his 50th birthday early
Despite his actual birthday being in November, Jonnie celebrated his milestone 50th earlier in the year. The presenter threw a huge party with 170 family and friends, with people coming from "all over the country and abroad."
He told The Sun after the event: "I didn’t know the extent of the loyalty and generosity that my friends would exhibit. I’ve been dumbfounded and spellbound by their support, as well as that of our families, who have been amazing.
“I just wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday and had no idea how many people would actually turn up. It was incredible."
June 2023: Jonnie was left with liver damage following an overseas procedure
Earlier this year, Jonnie revealed he flew over to Turkey to undergo treatment. However, it didn't go to plan and he was left with irreversible liver damage as a result.
Speaking to Hello! about the procedure, he said: "It's blocked in a place they can't operate on, so there's no point fighting the cancer elsewhere if the liver's not working. It's a cruel blow. It can happen at any time. I'm here to stop it for as long as possible."
July 2023: Jonnie revealed he was receiving palliative care
In July, Jonnie shared with the BBC that he had been receiving palliative care "since day one." The 49 year old detailed how "it can take many guises," from chemotherapy, hospital care, and of course, the hospice.
Jonnie then noted how his "hospice is a delight" – a nice surprise from his initial perception of a "boiling hot room full of people that look frail and are towards the end of their days."
Describing it as "nothing of the sort," and "spacious, energised, and comfortable," the TV star shared an insight into his life undergoing palliative care there. He even revealed the hospice has a jacuzzi bath and en suite rooms, before going on to praise the staff and his experience, despite the circumstances.
September 2023: Jonnie went to a wellness centre while awaiting scan results
Back in September, Jonnie headed to Sereniti Health and Wellness to undergo treatment while waiting for the results of a scan. Often taking to Instagram to document his treatments, he shared a selfie outside the centre as he tried to "slow down the growth" of his tumours with "various therapies."
"The wait for more scans is frustrating when you know the cancer is on the move again," he penned alongside the photo.
"Meanwhile there’s stuff I can do to make the terrain as tough as possible for growth and the ladies down at Sereniti Health and Wellness are part of my team of suppliers for various therapies," he added.
September 2023: Jonnie and his kids enjoyed a father son day out
"Been pretty unwell this past week but felt better this morning so headed off to watch some Monster trucks," Jonnie shared in early September, while dropping a carousel of him and his children enjoying some quality time together.
"Kids loved it, got soaked in the rain, quick change when we got home to go again at a Christening party," he continued, before labelling the day as a "full on Sunday."
October 2023: Jonnie undergoes hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Most recently, Jonnie has shared that he's been receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy. According to the Mayo Clinic, patients are seated inside a pressurised hyperbaric chamber, where the "air pressure is increased 2 to 3 times higher than normal air pressure."
These conditions help the lungs to collect more oxygen than would normally be possible when breathing pure oxygen at normal air pressure. The extra oxygen also helps to fight bacteria and triggers "the release of substances called growth factors and stem cells, which promote healing."
Jonnie took to his Instagram to share his experience with the therapy, stating that "it’s great for people with [his] condition but also for recovery from injuries and general wellness."
This isn't the first time Jonnie has received a dose of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, though. In February this year, he revealed he'd been regularly having the cutting edge treatment. Since then, he's opted for a few more sessions to help him treat his cancer.
October 2023: Jonnie and Jess celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary
Jonnie took to Instagram last week to document him and his wife Jess' seventh wedding anniversary. Sharing a snap of the two dressed up and out for dinner, he said: "7 years married to this Angel. I use this term because the love she shows to others is beyond comparison."
He added that – amid his cancer battle – the two enjoyed a normal evening out, "just us; chatting, planning and gossiping."
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