In Memory of Jean Jones

Image taken from an article written by The Daily Mail

Jean was always an active member of all the support groups. 

She was diagnosed with aspergillosis in 2010, after a CT scan found a fungal ball in her lungs.

Jean was started on the antifungal drug itraconazole but that didn’t work beyond a few months. Voriconazole, soon stopped working as well and the bleeds became more and more frequent.

In 2013, she had two embolisations to stop the bleeds, but this didn’t work. She then had AmBisome, an intravenous antifungal treatment, but the fungus was resistant to this, too.

She was then warned that the threat of a fatal bleed was becoming very real.

She had previously been told that surgery to remove the affected part of the lung wasn’t suitable — but with no drugs left that was her only option.

In 2014 they removed most of the left upper lung and part of the lower. Thankfully Jean did not need any treatment after that.

Jean got involved with the support groups and ran a local one, whereby people could meet, have a chat and coffee.  She also did fundraisers every year.  Looking back, I am sure she raised over £7000 for the Fungal Infection Trust and Aspergillosis Trust in the past 6 years.  

The first time I met her was 6 years ago.  She was coming down to the Oxford area to stay with a friend.  We met in a very glamorous place, the M40 service area.  After that we used to meet twice a year in a lovely Cafe near her friend’s home and put the world to right.

Recently she became a Trustee of Aspergillosis Trust and helped with the set up the the charity.  She will be sadly missed by everyone of the support groups.

Rest in peace Jean - 3rd January 2022

 Jill Fairweather