Johnnie Walker terminally ill

Thisismyname1953

My DH died of pulmonary fibrosis in July 2007 . From his diagnosis to his death was 7 weeks . He was breathless when we attended a friends wedding in April that year and he went to see our GP at the beginning the of May who prescribed antibiotics which didn’t help . He went for an Xray of his chest at the end of May . He was sent to see a chest consultant in June when he got diagnosed with PF and told that he needed home oxygen and may need a lung transplant in the future . His condition worsened within weeks and he was admitted to hospital . The consultant showed my daughter and I the latest X-rays and it was as if his lungs were wiped out ! He only lived one more week so none of us had chance to come to terms with his illness or his death .

So very sorry to hear this, it must have been so shocking for you and your family.

charley68

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a terrible disease/illness. It is a terminal illness, they average length of life from diagnosis to death is between 2 - 5 years. The lung tissue gradually becomes stiffer and thicker, meaning that there is great difficulty in oxygen passing through to the blood from the lungs. Oxygen is a necessity, but eventually even that is not enough. The slightest exertion causes extreme breathlessness, and that can be just standing up, taking one or two steps, or just sitting on the toilet. It is a terrible thing, and trying to keep calm and keep the panic at bay is a full time job..

I worked with a respiratory team for many years, and looked after many people with IPF.
There are some different types of pulmonary fibrosis, and some more treatable than others, but IPF is the worst type.

My brother in law was diagnosed with it at 60 yrs, and died 2 years later. There is no treatment, some drugs will help for a short time, and lung transplant is the optimal, but that wait can be terrible and futile. Palliative care with a skilled team is necessary.

One of our friends was diagnosed and died just over two years later.
At one time he was put forward for a lung transplant, but by the time he went in to be assessed they said he was past the stage at which it would help.
It is a truly terrible illness thoughout which he was incredibly stoical and his death has left a huge hole in many people's lives.

Me Too , We went to a Theatre show a few years ago where Johnnie was giving a talk on his life , from back in those Pirate radio days through to his Radio 2 days 😘🙏

Thisismyname1953

My DH died of pulmonary fibrosis in July 2007 . From his diagnosis to his death was 7 weeks . He was breathless when we attended a friends wedding in April that year and he went to see our GP at the beginning the of May who prescribed antibiotics which didn’t help . He went for an Xray of his chest at the end of May . He was sent to see a chest consultant in June when he got diagnosed with PF and told that he needed home oxygen and may need a lung transplant in the future . His condition worsened within weeks and he was admitted to hospital . The consultant showed my daughter and I the latest X-rays and it was as if his lungs were wiped out ! He only lived one more week so none of us had chance to come to terms with his illness or his death .

😘 So very sad to read your post

Blossoming

Very sad, loved his shows.

He is still on air , sitting sometimes in his wheelchair with an oxygen mask 🙏
He said that this is what keeps him going 😘

My DH died of pulmonary fibrosis in July 2007 . From his diagnosis to his death was 7 weeks . He was breathless when we attended a friends wedding in April that year and he went to see our GP at the beginning the of May who prescribed antibiotics which didn’t help . He went for an Xray of his chest at the end of May . He was sent to see a chest consultant in June when he got diagnosed with PF and told that he needed home oxygen and may need a lung transplant in the future . His condition worsened within weeks and he was admitted to hospital . The consultant showed my daughter and I the latest X-rays and it was as if his lungs were wiped out ! He only lived one more week so none of us had chance to come to terms with his illness or his death .

I recently enjoyed Clash Of The Pirates that he did with Tony Blackburn to celebrate 60 years of Radio Caroline.

Oh my gosh such sad news. I used to listen to Johnie And allergy during lunch time way back then n 1973-1975 and have followed him since his return from America.
He has always been a part of my life since then. God bless you Johnie and thank you for the music.

Sad news. I used to love listening to Johnny when I had a regular commute by car.

Sad news knew he wasn’t well as I listen to him every Sunday and his voice has got weaker. I feel like he’s been a great part of my life radio 1 then drive time and now on a Sunday afternoon family knows we’ll be listening. I’m listening now to him feeling rather sad. God bless him hope he has more Sundays and can keep going. Love you johnnie.

I have been to 2 IPF funerals in the last few weeks, one of a delightful kind musician aged 60 who spent his life bringing music to those with disadvantages in life, and to young people. His decline was awful to behold.

Very sad. Loved his radio shows and music choices. Great sense of humour and interesting to listen to. Quality presenter.

She may also not have had IPF. Other types of PF are slower growing and less aggressive, and if PF starts in an older person, they may well die of something else first.

Interestingly - and infuriatingly - drugs for IPF have, for years, been available as soon as someone is diagnosed in Scotland, whereas in England, until very recently they were only available to those whose lung capacity was significantly reduced. Given that being active is one of the best things people with IPF can do, not treating them until they are too breathless to do much is a false economy (now recognised, but too late for many)

And yes, Centres of Excellence are thin on the ground. Our nearest is 40 miles away, often well over an hour’s drive, and not accessible by public transport from here.

My friend who I suppose you’d describe as an “outlier” was lucky to be treated at the Brompton Hospital although she lived over 50 miles away and getting there was difficult and expensive.
Sadly a procedure for kidney stones led to an infection which she was unable to fight off - or the local hospital couldn’t- and she died a little over a week later.
From what I have read, she may have been “lucky” in a way as she was still playing golf a week before being admitted and a vibrant active person.

My friend is living with IPF, as a outlier in terms of survival, and is currently on a 'waiting list' to get on the waiting list for the next level of drugs. It is only provided at approx 6 leading hospitals in the UK and even her local consultant can't get her on the proper waiting list. Friend basically diagnosed herself as she had seen family members with same disease. This also means she knows what the end will be like.

I loved his double act and antics with Sally Boazman. They would have me laughing out loud as I drove home from work.

Stealing one of Terry Wogan’s ‘pips’ was a genius bit of comedy for radio.

I do hope he spends his remaining time in comfort.

chardy and * Nannyknit*
I too would listen to Johnnie on Radio Caroline under the bed clothes. I fell in love with his wonderful voice and choice of music. Kiss in the Car and Percy Sledge. Such happy memories and so sad that he is now so unwell

Chardy

For those of us in our teens in the 60s

Johnny Walker
11pm on Radio Caroline
Percy Sledge
When a man loves a woman
Johnny was The Man then. And his mum ran his fan club. Happy memories

The ‘Goodnight Spot’ - I used to listen in bed with my radio on my ear. I was madly in love with Johnnie - the only fan club I ever joined.
Loved Frinton Flashing too.
I wouldn’t listen to Radio 1 for years.

My husband died of it 2 years ago. Not easy to diagnose mainly because gps don’t understand what it is. I nursed my husband at home for 2 years, no help offered by gp. Suddenly got masses of help in last 4 days of his life. I should have fought harder but in my 80s wasn’t brave enough. Left me very bitter.

Very sad news, we always used to listen to his radio show, I think it was called Drivetime, and we bought a couple of his Drivetime CDs.

I was surprised to see Johnnie Walker is 79, I wouldn’t have guessed he was that old. He plays the music I love and Ive always liked his shows. What sad news that he is terminally ill.

My brother in law survived just over a year with IPF, he was in his 60s. Horrible. My heart goes out to Johnnie and Tiggy.

I still remember as a teenager in the 70s listening to his last show on Radio 1 before he left for to work in America.I loved listening to him.And Kenny Everett's show.The sounds of my youth. Too many radio presenters now come as personalities from TV wheras JW is radio and music first and foremost.

I’m another long term ‘fan’ of Johnnie Walker. During lockdown, I started to teach myself to draw, then paint. Sunday afternoons in the conservatory, with sounds of the seventies and his lovely voice remain a high spot.
I enjoy his interviews, this Sunday with two Eagles band members
He like John Peel have brought their love and knowledge of music throughout our adult lives.

RosiesMaw, thank you. I think I’m a bit touchy on the subject.

It’s unusual , I think, these days for a disease with a longish prognosis to be described as terminal by the medics - my experience is that such illnesses are described as life-limiting, and only (as appears to be the case with Johnnie Walker) changed to terminal when the prognosis is 6 months or less.

I take your point about averages (my own experience is with someone who is an outlier) but I think there is some value (as well as lots of pain and fear, of course) in having even an approximate idea of how much healthy life one can expect.

JW is already on constant oxygen and has to use a wheelchair. He's been told he Might still be around in 6 weeks.
He has very strong spiritual beliefs which are comforting him