Thank you so much if you have recently signed this petition. 

Thank you so much to the rest of you for continuing to follow and support our campaign. 

Today I wanted to share with you a list of symptoms Jess recorded on her phone whilst sitting in her doctor’s surgery on the 2nd November 2020. Finally, she had been allocated a face-to-face appointment after months of over-the-phone consultations with various practitioners. I sat next to her as she wrote this list, and I was allowed to accompany her into the appointment.

Jess wrote:

“Been extremely fatigued and had a cough since end of June / beginning of July.

Two negative Covid tests.

Had a large appetitive at start of illness and now completely lost it. Can't finish drinks/food.

Postnasal drip

Pressure on nose

Cough - started off dry but is now bringing up clear foamy mucus (choking)

Retching/being sick

Sensitivity to smell

Very tense neck

Back/rib pain

Sensitive chest - can't wear a bra or have a hug

Retinal migraine?

Constantly spitting out loads of transparent thick sticky mucus (sometimes traces of blood) (also comes out when I blow my nose)

The lack of improvement / worsening of symptoms and waking up every day feeling so ill is really affecting me mentally  :-(

Previously very healthy, ran 5k 3x a week, never smoked, don't drink

Worse in the morning when I wake up

Tried inhalers, steroids, 6 lots of antibiotics, omeprazole, steroid nasal spray

Had a high d dimer and enlarged heart.

Gland in one side of neck above collar bone, aching a lot

Weight loss”

Jess’ appearance had changed dramatically but no one at the surgery would have known this because she had not been allowed into the surgery.

It was at this examination (or lack of examination - the Doctor said he was not permitted to look at her throat or up her nose), the Doctor laughed at the suggestion of a referral.

This same Doctor, ten days later, after Jessica collapsed on the stairs and couldn’t move, asked “what is wrong with you today?”

On the evening of the 2nd of November, I wrote a letter to the surgery reiterating Jess’ symptoms and my extreme concern (including my worries it might be cancer). I received no reply.

Jess’ desperate response was to make a private appointment. She was diagnosed 3 ½ weeks later with stage 4 cancer that had spread throughout her body. 3 ½ weeks after that she died, in hospital, inadequately medicated and acutely aware of what was going on.

This is why I campaign.

This is why we must have change and Jess’ Law.

Jess always trusted the NHS, she would never have abused the system. She had never previously sought private health care.

Please continue to share this petition in my memory of our precious Jess.