Jonnie Irwin was hospitalised this week amid his terminal cancer battle, but his liver function is now "heading in the right direction".
Jonnie Irwin allowed home from hospital after positive test results - Instagram-JonnieIrwin
The 49-year-old TV star was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2020 - which has since spread to his brain – but he is taking a "small win" from this week after he was allowed home from hospital.
He wrote on Instagram: "Well the blood tests and scans today show my liver function is heading in the right direction There’s bigger issues we will have to confront in a couple of weeks but for now I’m allowed home. I’m taking the small win for now. Rex tried to stay up to welcome me home but couldn’t quite stay awake bless him, although Reggie and Ronnie were wide awake so I got to them a story. Big big thanks to all the doctors and nurses who looked after me I’m so grateful to be home. (sic)"
Earlier this week, Jonnie told how he had been readmitted to hospital with jaundice, fever and an "acute stabbing pain" in his right-hand side, for which he needed to be observed every four hours.
He posted: “Back in hospital - been in since Friday with Jaundice. I had a fever and acute stabbing pain in my right hand side. Turns out I probably had an infection and otter issues which I won’t bore you with. Been on drips, regular bloods taken and have observations every 4 ours through day and night. Didn’t think I’d be watching @bbcmorninglive from a hospital bed but it’s just part of the roller coaster life that this illness throws at you I must admit I was especially touched by the birthday message from the the team for my birthday this coming Friday- thanks very much. X. I have another scan today followed by a meeting with my oncologist so fingers crossed for positive news (sic)"
Jonnie recently told how he was given just days to live in May.
He told The Sun newspaper: "I was in a lot of back pain and very weak. I was spending hours just lying there sleeping and all the signs were there that it could be the end.
"One day, the oncologist, hospice doctors and a couple of nurses came in and started telling me to go home and spend time with my family.
"The penny didn’t drop at first. My ears only heard, ‘You’re going home’ because I was pretty out of it. It was only later I thought, ‘They were telling me I’m done’."
But the former 'A Place in the Sun' host refused to give up on life.
He said: "It could have been the end, but I thought, ‘No, that’s not me, that’s not happening’.
"When I got home I made myself get out of bed, no matter how bad I felt, and spent time with Jess and the boys.
"Don’t get me wrong, there were times I said to Jess, ‘I think I’m dying’ because I felt too weak to go on."