Latest news with #UCLH
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Boris Johnson's wife issues warning to new mums after being rushed to hospital
Boris and Carrie Johnson's fourth child was born was born last month and now she has given a message to new mums from hospital after suffering from severe dehydration Carrie Johnson has shared a photo of herself in hospital and given a warning to new mums over severe dehydration. The 37-year-old welcomed her fourth child with former prime minister Boris Johnson, 61, last month. Poppy Eliza Josephine Johnson — nicknamed Pops or Pop Tart — was born on May 21. And she has told of how she has ended up in hospital through dehydration while breastfeeding. She shared photos on Instagram of herself and the baby in a hospital bed and wrote: 'Being hospitalised for two nights for severe dehydration was not on my postpartum bingo card. Breastfeeding mums make sure you eat and drink enough in this heat. Especially if your babe is cluster feeding.' Cluster feeding, when a baby feeds more frequently, is common in the first three to four months after birth, particularly during growth spurts. And it can lead to maternal dehydration if the mum is not consuming enough to replenish fluids. The NHS advises that babies may want to feed more frequently during hot weather, when risk of dehydration is also higher. Ms Johnson also told how she had been through a "brutal" week and thanked people for their support. She continued: 'This week has honestly been brutal. Mastitis (me), reflux (her), dehydration (me). "What a pair we are! But thank you for all the kindest messages, especially all the brilliant advice on reflux. Really appreciate it and made me feel way less alone going thru [sic] it all. And as ever, thanks to our amazing NHS.' Mastitis is a painful inflammation in the breast tissue often associated with breastfeeding. Reflux occurs when the stomach contents comes back up into the oesophagus. It is very common in babies and usually gets better as they grow. Poppy joins the couple's three other children, sons Wilfred, five, and one-year-old Frank, and daughter Romy, three. Announcing the latest arrival last month, Ms Johnson wrote: "Welcome to the world Poppy Eliza Josephine Johnson born on 21st May. Aka Pops, Pop Tart. I can't believe how pretty and tiny you are. Feel so incredibly lucky. We are all totally smitten. "Not sure I've slept a minute since you were born as can't stop looking at how completely lovely you are. Thank you so much to the amazing maternity team at UCLH and particularly to Asma and Patrick who have looked after me so well through all my pregnancies. I really cannot thank you guys enough. "Wilf, Romy and Frank are utterly delighted, particularly Romy who was desperate for a little sister. Bring on the matching dresses. A final gang member. Back from hospital now and time for cocktails and pizza with my tiny baby snoozing on my lap. Life doesn't get any better."
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Boris Johnson's wife Carrie treated in hospital for ‘severe dehydration' just a month after giving birth to fourth child
CARRIE Johnson has been treated in hospital for "severe dehydration". The 5 Carrie shared a picture of herself in hospital with baby Poppy Credit: instagram 5 The mum-of-four has also been suffering with mastitis Credit: instagram 5 Boris Johnson pictured holding his ninth child in an adorable post shared in May Credit: Instagram/carrielbjohnson Carrie revealed on Friday how she had been rushed in for treatment and warned fellow mums to "eat and drink enough in this heat". 'Being hospitalised for two nights for my severe dehydration was not on my postpartum bingo card," she wrote in an Instagram post. "Breastfeeding mums make sure you eat and drink enough in this heat. Especially if your babe is The 37-year-old added: 'This week has honestly been brutal. "What a pair we are! But thank you for all the kindest messages, especially all the brilliant advice on reflux. "Really appreciate it and made me feel way less alone going thru it all.' Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue, common in women who are breastfeeding. The news comes after Boris Johnson, 60, and his wife Most read in The Sun She went on to refer to her baby as "Pops" and "Pop Tart" as an adorable nickname. "Aka Pops, Pop Tart. "I can't believe how pretty and tiny you are. Feel so incredibly lucky. We are all totally smitten. "I can't believe how pretty and tiny you are. Feel so incredibly lucky. We are all totally smitten. "Not sure I've slept a minute since you were born as can't stop looking at how completely lovely you are. "Thank you so much to the amazing maternity team at UCLH and particularly to Asma and Patrick who have looked after me so well through all my pregnancies. I really cannot thank you guys enough. "Wilf, Romy and Frank are utterly delighted, particularly Romy who was desperate for a little sister. Bring on the matching dresses. "A final gang member. Back from hospital now and time for cocktails and pizza with my tiny baby snoozing on my lap. Life doesn't get any better." Boris also has four children with his ex wife Marina Wheeler and one with art adviser Helen Macintyre. Read more on the Irish Sun Baby Poppy was born on May 21 and is Boris' ninth child. He and Carrie married in July 2021, and already share sons Wilfred, five, and Frank, one, and daughter Romy, three. Who are Boris's children? Romy Johnson Romy was born on December 9, 2021. A spokesperson for the couple shared the news, stating that It took almost a week for details of the baby's name to be made public, with the Carrie revealed the name on Instagram, revealing little Romy was named after her aunt. She said: "Romy after my aunt, Rosemary. "Iris from the Greek, meaning rainbow, "Charlotte after Boris' late mum who we miss so much." Wilfred Johnson On April 29, 2020, Boris and Carrie Symonds welcomed their first child together, naming him The name Wilfred after Johnson's grandfather, Lawrie after Ms Symonds' grandfather. The name Nicholas was chosen in tribute to the NHS doctors who saved Johnson's life when he was in hospital with coronavirus. Stephanie Stephanie, who was born in 2009 - the product of an affair with art adviser Helen Macintyre. Stephanie is the third youngest of Johnson's children. At first, he denied paternity and wasn't named on the birth certificate. However, his relations were revealed after a 2013 court battle in which he sought an injunction to prevent her existence being reported. It is not believed her elder half-siblings or her father have anything to do with her. Theodore Apollo Born in 1999, he is the youngest of Johnson's children with ex-wife Marina. He went on to attend Cambridge University - whereas his dad went to their rival Oxford. In August 2020, he reportedly wrote a play on Brexit that included his father's part in the UK leaving the European Union. Cassia Peaches Cassia Peaches, born in 1997, is the third of She studied at the £18,000 per year Highgate School in North London. Like her father, she is a writer and during her time at the private school, she was a student editor of their alumni magazine Cholmeleian. Milo Arthur Milo Arthur, born in 1995, is the second eldest of the Johnson clan and the oldest of his boys His mum is Marina Wheeler. He was educated at Westminster School where he was said to excel at sports, which as of March 2024 costs £27,174 a year. Milo was also a keen cricket player and came runner-up in the Funaki prize, a long-running award for artistic endeavour. He went on to study at London's School of Oriental and African Studies which he graduated from in 2014. Following this he took up a five-month internship at men's magazine Esquire Middle East, based in Dubai. Lara Lettice Born in 1993, Lara is the eldest of Boris' brood and was conceived ahead of her parent's wedding. The MP married barrister Marina Wheeler in 1993 when she was pregnant with their daughter. Lara, who styles herself with the double-barrelled surname Johnson-Wheeler, is a writer, editor and broadcaster. Fashionista Lara has carved out an impressive journalism career - as well as writing for Tory mag The Spectator and British Vogue and arts reviewing for the Evening Standard. She was educated at Bedales which as of March 2024, costs £33,435 a year. 5 Carrie Johnson has been treated in hospital for "severe dehydration" 5 The mum-of-four announced their welcome arrival on May 21 Credit: Instagram/carrielbjohnson
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Boris Johnson's wife Carrie treated in hospital for ‘severe dehydration' just a month after giving birth to fourth child
The mum-of-four sent a warning to fellow parents HEALTH SCARE Boris Johnson's wife Carrie treated in hospital for 'severe dehydration' just a month after giving birth to fourth child Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CARRIE Johnson has been treated in hospital for "severe dehydration". The former Prime Minister's wife spent two nights in hospital, a little over a month since welcoming her fourth child. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Carrie shared a picture of herself in hospital with baby Poppy Credit: instagram 5 The mum-of-four has also been suffering with mastitis Credit: instagram 5 Boris Johnson pictured holding his ninth child in an adorable post shared in May Credit: Instagram/carrielbjohnson Carrie revealed on Friday how she had been rushed in for treatment and warned fellow mums to "eat and drink enough in this heat". 'Being hospitalised for two nights for my severe dehydration was not on my postpartum bingo card," she wrote in an Instagram post. "Breastfeeding mums make sure you eat and drink enough in this heat. Especially if your babe is clusterfeeding.' The 37-year-old added: 'This week has honestly been brutal. Mastitis (me), reflux (her), dehydration (me). "What a pair we are! But thank you for all the kindest messages, especially all the brilliant advice on reflux. "Really appreciate it and made me feel way less alone going thru it all.' Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue, common in women who are breastfeeding. The news comes after Boris Johnson, 60, and his wife announced the latest member of their brood on Instagram with a sweet post in May. Carrie said in her baby post: "Welcome to the world Poppy Eliza Josephine Johnson born on 21st May." She went on to refer to her baby as "Pops" and "Pop Tart" as an adorable nickname. "Aka Pops, Pop Tart. "I can't believe how pretty and tiny you are. Feel so incredibly lucky. We are all totally smitten. "I can't believe how pretty and tiny you are. Feel so incredibly lucky. We are all totally smitten. "Not sure I've slept a minute since you were born as can't stop looking at how completely lovely you are. "Thank you so much to the amazing maternity team at UCLH and particularly to Asma and Patrick who have looked after me so well through all my pregnancies. I really cannot thank you guys enough. "Wilf, Romy and Frank are utterly delighted, particularly Romy who was desperate for a little sister. Bring on the matching dresses. "A final gang member. Back from hospital now and time for cocktails and pizza with my tiny baby snoozing on my lap. Life doesn't get any better." Boris also has four children with his ex wife Marina Wheeler and one with art adviser Helen Macintyre. Baby Poppy was born on May 21 and is Boris' ninth child. He and Carrie married in July 2021, and already share sons Wilfred, five, and Frank, one, and daughter Romy, three. Who are Boris's children? Romy Johnson Romy was born on December 9, 2021. A spokesperson for the couple shared the news, stating that Carrie had given birth to a "healthy baby girl" who was born in London. It took almost a week for details of the baby's name to be made public, with the couple finally deciding on Romy Iris Charlotte. Carrie revealed the name on Instagram, revealing little Romy was named after her aunt. She said: "Romy after my aunt, Rosemary. "Iris from the Greek, meaning rainbow, "Charlotte after Boris' late mum who we miss so much." Wilfred Johnson On April 29, 2020, Boris and Carrie Symonds welcomed their first child together, naming him Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson. The name Wilfred after Johnson's grandfather, Lawrie after Ms Symonds' grandfather. The name Nicholas was chosen in tribute to the NHS doctors who saved Johnson's life when he was in hospital with coronavirus. Stephanie Stephanie, who was born in 2009 - the product of an affair with art adviser Helen Macintyre. Stephanie is the third youngest of Johnson's children. At first, he denied paternity and wasn't named on the birth certificate. However, his relations were revealed after a 2013 court battle in which he sought an injunction to prevent her existence being reported. It is not believed her elder half-siblings or her father have anything to do with her. Theodore Apollo Born in 1999, he is the youngest of Johnson's children with ex-wife Marina. He went on to attend Cambridge University - whereas his dad went to their rival Oxford. In August 2020, he reportedly wrote a play on Brexit that included his father's part in the UK leaving the European Union. Cassia Peaches Cassia Peaches, born in 1997, is the third of Johnson's children with Marina. She studied at the £18,000 per year Highgate School in North London. Like her father, she is a writer and during her time at the private school, she was a student editor of their alumni magazine Cholmeleian. Milo Arthur Milo Arthur, born in 1995, is the second eldest of the Johnson clan and the oldest of his boys His mum is Marina Wheeler. He was educated at Westminster School where he was said to excel at sports, which as of March 2024 costs £27,174 a year. Milo was also a keen cricket player and came runner-up in the Funaki prize, a long-running award for artistic endeavour. He went on to study at London's School of Oriental and African Studies which he graduated from in 2014. Following this he took up a five-month internship at men's magazine Esquire Middle East, based in Dubai. Lara Lettice Born in 1993, Lara is the eldest of Boris' brood and was conceived ahead of her parent's wedding. The MP married barrister Marina Wheeler in 1993 when she was pregnant with their daughter. Lara, who styles herself with the double-barrelled surname Johnson-Wheeler, is a writer, editor and broadcaster. Fashionista Lara has carved out an impressive journalism career - as well as writing for Tory mag The Spectator and British Vogue and arts reviewing for the Evening Standard. She was educated at Bedales which as of March 2024, costs £33,435 a year. 5 Carrie Johnson has been treated in hospital for "severe dehydration"
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Malnutrition did not cause Claire Boyd's death, coroner rules
The death of a mother-of-two after a "routine" operation was not caused by malnutrition, a coroner has ruled. Claire Boyd had lost more than four stone (25.4kg) in a matter of months when she died at Great Western Hospital (GWH) in Swindon, Wiltshire, on 13 May 2022. Her family, who left Salisbury Coroner's Court before a conclusion was returned, had claimed she had "starved to death". But Coroner David Ridley ruled earlier that the 41-year-old from Devizes had died of multi-organ failure as a result of sepsis and other complications of surgery. Having suffered with a history of severe abdominal pain, Mrs Boyd was referred to University College Hospital (UCLH) in London in 2018 where, in October 2021, she underwent an elective procedure called an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP). Her condition rapidly deteriorated after the surgery and she developed severe pancreatitis, leading to further operations including one to remove approximately 80% of her bowel. Mrs Boyd was eventually discharged from UCLH, but was later admitted to GWH where she died. Ahead of delivering his conclusion, Mr Ridley said: "I do not find, for the avoidance of doubt, that malnutrition was a contributory factor to Claire's death."Having heard evidence from an independent expert, as well as the doctors involved in Mrs Boyd's care, he said malnutrition "only possibly contributed, and even then, only minimally" to her death. Mrs Boyd, the court heard, had a Body Mass Index (BMI) within a "normal" range when she died, though had lost a dramatic amount of weight. 'Crushed and destroyed' Her husband Kevin Boyd and son Callum Boyd - who have previously spoken out about their concerns regarding Mrs Boyd's weight loss, her mental capacity and a medication prescription error - chose to leave the court on Wednesday after telling Mr Ridley they felt elements of her case had been "downplayed". Mrs Boyd's husband told the court his wife had been "crushed" and "destroyed" by the prescription error, adding it had "changed everything". He also claimed there was a discrepancy between her weight as given to the court and as recorded by the hospital, saying the family had not noticed any weight gain and describing the figure as "very suspect". "We're not getting anywhere [...] we've been waiting many, many years," Mr Boyd told the court. "You don't seem to care, you don't seem to want to care," her son added, questioning why it had taken so long for the inquest to take place and evidence to be collected. Mr Ridley apologised for the delay, telling Mr Boyd: "Please don't think we're not acknowledging the loss of your mum." "I regret that you don't feel this is a useful process, but this is not a public enquiry," he added, explaining earlier that he was required by law to "complete a full, fair and fearless investigation" and saying he had gone "above and beyond" by instructing an independent expert. Consultant gastroenterologist Dr Anjan Banerjee, instructed as an independent expert in the case, said a dramatic fluctuation in weight could potentially be explained by fluid retention. Delivering his conclusion, Mr Ridley said there was "no credible evidence" malnutrition played a part in Mrs Boyd's death.
Scottish Sun
15-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
We had to launch Mission Impossible-style hospital escape to bring my boy home to die – I won't get over the trauma
Teddie's mum is campaigning for more access to grief counselling - see her petition below CATCH ME IF YOU CAN CATCH ME IF YOU CAN We had to launch Mission Impossible-style hospital escape to bring my boy home to die – I won't get over the trauma Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TEENAGER with just days to live was forced to evade security guards as he fled through a hospital, before jumping into a getaway car - just so he could die at home. Teddie Marks, 18, was wheelchair-bound, with his legs swelled up from cancer but was able to show off his athletic prowess one last time during the comedic mad dash. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 15 Teddie Marks died from a rare and aggressive cancer Credit: Jay Marks 15 Teddie with his heartbroken mum Jay Credit: Jay Marks 15 The teen was forced to flee the hospital Credit: Jay Marks Mum Jay - who is campaigning for more access to grief counselling for bereaved families - explained how everything had been put in place to allow her son to receive palliative care at the family's home in Braintree, Essex. However, at the last minute, as they left University College London Hospital they were confusingly told Teddie had to stay, against his wishes. Security was called and they were to be blocked from leaving - but the adventurous young man was having none of it. Mum-of-three Jay, 42, said: 'He's 18, they got all his paperwork ready, they gave us all his medication, they said to us he was going to be blue-lighted because from UCLH to Braintree it's a bit of a drive. 'Then they said they were going to get a normal ambulance but I would have to sign responsibility for him, which was fine… then we're told that's been cancelled.' Jay continued: 'In the end, the palliative care nurse fitted him up with a 24-hour pump so that we could get him home and hook him up to the machine.' 'That makes no sense' The family then got into a lift on the 15th floor with the palliative care nurse, alongside a 'bag of medication' and all of Teddie's things from weeks of being in and out of hospital - when they hit another speed bump. 'On the way down she had a call and she was like 'right okay', then she said 'they've called security',' explained Jay. 'We were like what? That makes no sense because she was with us and he'd been discharged. 'Teddie was an adult and sound of mind, and he'd told them he wanted to go home.' The symptoms of sarcoma cancer including tummy pain Not wanting to stick around to find out what was going on, Teddie, who was being pushed in a wheelchair, as well as his mum and dad Joseph, and two other relatives, bolted. 'When the lift doors opened on the ground floor we ran, we were gone,' said Jay. 'We were literally running through the hospital and the nurse was shouting 'stop!' 'They didn't catch up to us, and poor Teddie, he jumped in the car, bearing in mind his legs were all swollen, he had lymphedema where the fluid wasn't going back upwards because of where the tumour was sitting. You've never seen him move so fast. He jumped out of the wheelchair, jumped in the car and went 'drive!' Jay Marks 'You've never seen him move so fast,' continued Jay. 'He jumped out of the wheelchair, jumped in the car and went 'drive!'' Joseph's two aunts, who had been with them at the hospital, stayed behind and later told the family the nurse burst into tears. 'She was crying and she was saying 'I'm happy they got to go' because it wasn't her that had called security - it had been higher up,' explained Jay. 'They'd already given him his discharge papers and everything we needed, it made no sense. It's funny to look back on now, what everyone else must have been thinking.' 15 Teddie was just 18 when he passed away Credit: Jay Marks 15 Jay and Teddie as a toddler Credit: Jay Marks 15 Teddie (centre) with his sister Robyn and brother Harrison Credit: Jay Marks That was on July 12 2024 and on the 14th Teddie finally passed away. It had been a tough journey since his shock diagnosis at age 16 in 2022 with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in soft tissue. 'It's quite rare but quite aggressive, and it tends to come back even if you get rid of it,' explained Jay. 'He did have a six-month period when he got rid of the cancer, and then he relapsed in July 2023, and then we've had a long battle.' Trips to Germany The family was told there was nothing more the NHS could offer and so they spent tens of thousands of pounds, via GoFundMe, to travel to Germany multiple times - the last of which was days before Teddie died. 'We'd been seeing different professors that had tried different treatments,' said Jay. 'Unfortunately, the last professor we tried, he was having some success, and the month after that treatment, Teddie was feeling much better. 'All the swelling in his legs had gone down, he was feeling much better, but by that time the cancer had spread and we didn't catch it.' Teddie knew he was dying as he'd flown to Germany the last time, but didn't want to give up. 'His words were 'I'm not going to die without trying',' said Jay. 'He was fighting the whole time.' Asked if he'd been able to get alternative treatment sooner she believes her son could have survived, Jay said: 'I think so. The NHS will say 'no, no' but they are so ignorant to what is out there in Europe, it's unbelievable.' 15 Teddie was a talented footballer Credit: Jay Marks 15 Jay described him as the 'perfect' child Credit: Jay Marks 15 The teen was originally diagnosed with cancer in 2022 Credit: Jay Marks After Teddie relapsed in March 2023 he was given an operation and it was 'made clear' by the consultants that they'd 'tripled checked' with the surgeons that Teddie's cancer could be removed with 'clear margins', said Jay. 'Because if it couldn't they weren't going to touch it. They said 'the surgeons are really sure'.' 'After the operation, as soon as Teddie came round, he said 'did you get it with clear margins?' and they said 'we can't be sure'. 'It must not have been checked properly,' Jay said. 'When he had scans four to six weeks after the op, nodules had appeared. 'I think at that point if we'd gone to Germany, Teddie would have stood a better chance.' £100,000 in 24 hours The GoFundMe page set up to help the teen receive alternative treatments 'went over £100,000 in the first 24 hours', said Jay. 'GoFundMe got in touch to say they had never seen one go up that quickly.' All of that and more went on private testing and treatments abroad. 'I can't sit here and say don't listen to the NHS because overall they were amazing, but it's frustrating that there are these treatments out there,' said Jay. 'Don't get me wrong, the hospital was amazing, especially the nurses who go above and beyond.' 15 Teddie playing video games in hospital Credit: Jay Marks 15 He battled cancer bravely for two years Credit: Jay Marks 15 Teddie even passed his driving test while he underwent chemo Credit: Jay Marks But with all other hope lost, with the help of Farleigh Hospice, in Braintree, Teddie was able to die in the comfort of his own home. 'He knew what he was going home for,' said Jay. 'It was absolutely heartbreaking because you know you are saying bye to your child. 'We sat up every night. He had his family here, his aunts, his uncles and his cousins. 'Don't be depressed' 'At one point, Teddie said 'don't be depressed, put some music on',' she added, laughing. Teddie had always been the one to keep the family's spirits up, even throughout his illness. 'He was such a good boy,' said Jay. 'There were days after he got diagnosed where I couldn't get up, couldn't function and he would come in and say to me, 'up you get, Mum'. 'He had such strong faith, he was quite religious - even when Teddie was dying, he had all the family here and was cuddling his girl cousins and he said 'don't cry for me, I know where I'm going.' 'That boy was absolutely something else.' Teddie had first been getting pain in August 2021, and by November he was 'in agony' and 'was up three or four nights straight', said Jay, who took him to A&E multiple times. However, they were sent away again and again and told to take over the counter painkillers. 15 He didn't let cancer stop him from remaining positive Credit: Jay Marks 15 Teddie was even joking with his family on his death bed Credit: Jay Marks 15 University College London Hospital, where Teddie was treated Credit: The Sun Jay said Teddie was 'very robust', he was captain of Chelmsford City EJA, but even his pain threshold was being pushed to the limit. Eventually, the family paid for a private doctor and MRI scan, then an operation which found abscesses. The doctor sent off for a biopsy at UCLH and then a week later a phone call confirmed the worst. 'It was during lockdown so everything was a bit dodgy,' said Jay. 'I got told over the phone that Teddie had cancer and was given a treatment plan.' During his treatment Teddie refused to stop, and passed his GCSE Maths and English - the latter to an A* standard - while undergoing chemotherapy. And even passed his driving test. But while his memory lives on, Jay is still as heartbroken now as she was a year ago. 'You can't prepare yourself' 'You know it's coming but you can't prepare yourself,' she said of her son's death. 'I can't put it into words, it's coming up to a year but I'm still devastated every day. Me and his dad, brother and sister, and his nan. There's not a day that goes by that we don't cry.' She added, of her children: 'They'll always be my babies.' Taking up the baton left by Teddie, his mum is now campaigning herself to raise awareness about the wait times families must endure to receive grief counselling. After filling out a form she was told by the hospice the waiting list is nine to 12 months. Jay said: 'Last week I had an email from Farleigh saying they've got this session thing, it's not one to one counselling, there's other people there. 'There's 10 spaces and to get back to them if I wanted a place. 'I saw the email, 40 minutes later, by the time I got back they'd emailed me saying all the spaces had gone.' Jay said she had another email from the hospice asking since it was a 'considerable amount of time since I put my application in for counselling, have my circumstances changed?' 'They did get an email back saying 'my circumstances haven't changed, unfortunately my son hasn't risen from the dead, I'm still grieving and still in need of support'. She continued: 'It's not going to change. I just can't get my head round that it can take this long to sort… any grief is bad, but when you've lost your child, I can't explain it. It's unexplainable.' Jay went on to say: 'I said to my doctor, 'they're lucky I'm not suicidal'. If he was my only child maybe I would be suicidal but I have two other children who I need to look after. It's not going to change. I just can't get my head round that it can take this long to sort… any grief is bad, but when you've lost your child, I can't explain it. It's unexplainable. Jay Marks 'I carry the family's grief. My daughter, her and Teddie were 10 months apart - she's got ASD, so she's on the spectrum, and Teddie was her comfort blanket. 'She struggles really badly. Then my eldest son, who's 23 now, he will just struggle silently. 'I feel like I have to carry on because I don't want them to see my grieving and think they've got to carry my grief.' She added: 'I do feel passionately that there are parents going through this and you have to wait a year. We can't go privately. 'My husband sold his company when Teddie got diagnosed because we were backwards and forwards to UCLH. He's a caretaker now and I'm a support assistant in a school.' Jay said: 'I've lost people but nothing compares to losing your child, especially when you've watched your child go through what he did for two and a half years. 'You get a lot of flashbacks, I'm sure it's PTSD. You're replaying stuff continuously. It's traumatising when you hear your baby, though he was 18, in the night screaming in agony. 'It's traumatising to remember the running from the hospital, the taking him to Germany when he was in agony.' She described Teddie as 'my best mate', adding: 'I know parents say that about their kids but he was like my right arm. 'He was always with me, we were always together. We had the same sense of humour. We were always laughing. 'No one could get you in tears of laughter like Teddie could. For me, I'm still completely lost.' Michelle Kabia, Interim Chief Executive at Farleigh Hospice, said: 'Ensuring that the families of our patients receive the best quality support throughout their loved ones illness and afterwards is our absolute priority. "Our bereavement support services are offered free of charge to anyone within mid Essex. "As a result they are in incredibly high demand, as reflected in our current waiting lists, which we are actively working to reduce. 'We regularly stay in touch with people on the waiting list to check how they are, offer interim bereavement support options while they wait for one to one counselling, and check whether their circumstances have changed, as people may have accessed alternative support or moved out of the area. "We welcome all feedback and are continually looking to improve our services. We would be very happy to have a further conversation with the family.' The Sun has also approached University College Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for comment Click here to see Jay's grief counselling petition. Do you have a similar story? Email
