Best possible start to new year for 'dying' Jo

The new year has started in the best possible way for a ‘dying’ Exeter woman.

Jo Smith's health has improved dramatically since she flew to America for treatment.

The 37-year-old previously relied on a wheelchair but is now able to walk some distance unaided as this heart-warming picture shows.
In another image she is seen playing outside with her five-year-old son Rudey.

Jo is believed to be the only known person in the world to suffer from a rare combination of two diseases – pulmonary hypertension and lymphatic cancer.

Less than a year ago, she was told she had between two weeks to two months to live.

During that time she has lived with the fear she could suffer heart failure at any moment because of the pressure being put on it from her illnesses.

Jo, who lives near Stoke Cannon, can't have a heart and lung transplant, because the anti rejection medication she would have to take would cause the cancer to grow rapidly.

Previous attempts to save Jo have so far proved unsuccessful, including flying to Thailand to receive medical treatment which did not materialise, and appealing to the public for suggestions of help.

But her hopes were raised when an opportunity came to visit renowned scientist Dr Thomas Incledon who has a clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.

She arrived there last month and he has since carried out hundreds of tests to find out the root cause of her illness and devised a personal treatment plan.

In a video update Dr Incledon has revealed that within a week Jo had tripled her ability to walk and that after three weeks there had been a significant improvement in reducing all kinds of risk factors associated with her pulmonary hypertension.

His tests have revealed deficiencies and imbalances that could have caused her problems.

Jo said she was encouraged by the results and impressed with the treatment she is receiving.

However, she saved her biggest thanks to the people who have raised money to make her trip possible.

In the video she said: “I can’t thank you enough for the support you have given me and are continuing to give me. You’ve given me hope when I had none, you’ve given my little boy hope.

“I thank you all from the bottom of mine and Rudey’s hearts. I wouldn’t be here without you.”

However, she still continues to need to fund raise to pay for her stay.

If you would like to help save Jo's life, you can make a donation here: https://www.youcaring.com/jo-smith-492376