Jonnie Irwin using a hyperbaric oxygen chamber.Photo:Jonnie Irwin/Instagram
Jonnie Irwin/Instagram
Jonnie Irwinis trying out new forms of treatment as he continues to deal with the effects of cancer.
“It’s great for people with my condition but also for recovery from injuries and general wellness. I’m not gonna preach but if you’re interested Google it- you’ll be surprised!” he wrote.
“This chamber is perfect for me, no feelings of claustrophobia and it’s just big enough to get my favourite comfy chair in it!” Irwin continued. “I actually look forward to each session knowing that it’s doing me good whilst being able to do a bit of work (watching Netflix shhh!) I’m currently in it now!#hbot#hyperbaricoxygentherapy#netflix.”
Once a patient is in the chamber, the air pressure in the unit is raised to a level about 2 or 3 times higher than normal, which helps the lungs collect more oxygen. The oxygen goes through the bloodstream and essentially overflows into tissues, which can speed up the healing process.
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Irwin, who hosts the real-estate showEscape to the Country,revealed his terminal diagnosislast November after his lung cancer spread to his brain.
“I want to make those memories for Jess, even if the kids don’t remember it,” he toldThe Sunlast year. “So if she looks at the photo album when I’m long gone she can say to the boys, ‘Here’s the time your dad chucked you in a pool’ or, ‘Here’s the time we went for that day out.’ "
He explained, “I want to make memories and capture these moments with my family because the reality is, my boys are going to grow up not knowing their dad and that breaks my heart.”
Jonnie Irwin with his family.jonnieirwintv/Instagram
jonnieirwintv/Instagram
Back in July, Irwin appeared on BBC’sMorning Liveand opened up about spending the past three years in palliative care. “I’m really good. I have up days and down days but today is very much an up day. The family is great and very noisy,” he said with a laugh.
Irwin explained that he’s been in palliative care since day one after learning about the cancer. Initially, his experience meant going through blood transfusions as a day patient. However, he said he was able to “embrace it” after being surprised with how well he was treated.
“It’s a delight, actually,” he admitted at the time. “My perception of the hospice was very much a boiling hot room full of people that looked frail and towards the end of their days. This is nothing of the sort. It’s spacious, energized, comfortable. I mean, it’s even got a jacuzzi bath, ensuite rooms, and the staff are just amazing. So I’ve had a really, really good experience at my hospice.”
Irwin also offered advice to those in his same situation or those with loved ones in similar situations, urging them to be open with the experience as he has learned to do.
“First of all, embrace it. I was invited to use the hospice and I thought, well, I’ll give it a go just as a day patient,” he explained, sharing that the experience quickly shot down his grim expectations. “I implore people to check out hospice. If you’ve got the choice of using it, then use it. It’s not this doom and gloom operation that you might think it was.”
source: people.com
