BBC radio host Jo Whiley has revealed her 18-year-old daughter, Coco, was rushed to hospital in a sepsis scare, an ordeal she described as "absolutely terrifying" for both of them.
The 61-year-old broadcaster shared the story on her Dig It podcast with friend Zoe Ball, explaining that Coco had become "unbelievably sick" in the build-up to her 18th birthday.
A Terrifying Text Message
Jo said she had been keeping a check on her daughter, but had to leave her for work. It was then that she received a horrifying text from her other daughter, India.
Jo explained: "I looked down at my phone and all it said was 'hospital sepsis come home'."
She added: "You know when your blood turns to ice… I forget everything else that's going on. This is real life. And it was absolutely terrifying."
Hospital Treatment and Recovery
India took Coco to hospital, where it was confirmed she was suffering from suspected sepsis, thought to have stemmed from an ear infection. Coco was given intravenous antibiotics and taken to hospital in an ambulance.
Jo said she had never thought the issue would be sepsis, adding: "You don't think about illnesses like that." The stressful situation led her to seek a second opinion through Martha's Law, which allows parents to ask for an urgent second opinion if they feel it is necessary.
Jo said: "We were really stressing out and we were really panicking. As a parent you just feel so helpless and completely at the hands of incredible doctors and nurses who are so overworked and stretched."
She revealed that Coco is currently "fragile" while recovering, saying: "She's been absolutely petrified because she just kept saying when she was there, 'I just want to close my eyes, but I'm scared I'm going to die'."
Family Life Update
In July, Jo opened up about family life, revealing the clan had a new arrival - a Labradoodle puppy. "It's like throwing a grenade into the household," she told Notebook at the time. "I'd forgotten how exhausting puppies are."
The puppy arrived after the family's beloved Sproodle, Brodie, died last October. Jo said: "When a dog dies it leaves a massive hole, so it's really nice to have a new puppy - but also a lot of work."
