A BEAUTIFUL young Leighton mum has been given less than six months to live after a rare form of eye cancer spread to her liver.

But she wants to use the time she has left to warn others to be on their guard, and be aware of the warning signs.

Jo Cain, 38, from Vimy Road, first noticed something wrong with her eye two years ago and went to her GP, who diagnosed a detached retina.
But a trip to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, and a chance meeting with a doctor, uncovered a rare form of cancer called ocular melanoma, which can be caused by harmful ultraviolet rays.

Jo went to London's Barts Hospital a week later for strong radiation treatment and then had an agonising year-long wait to see if the cancer had been beaten.

In February 2008, Jo returned to hospital and was told the tumour had gone.

But her joy was short-lived, as seven days later she was recalled by the team to be told they had made a mistake, the tumour was still there – and it had grown.

Jo, a mum-of-one who works for a bathroom design company in London, had her eye removed in February last year and replaced with a prosthetic one made with coral from the Red Sea.

She was also given a grim warning that the chances of the cancer spreading to her liver were quite high.

Jo's employers were very good to her, paying for transport to and from hospital appointments. They even paid for a hotel in London while she received treatment.

The mum learned to cope with only one eye, negotiating everyday chores as well as the commute into London.

Instead of going at her usual 'million miles an hour', she learned to slow down and have patience.

She returned to Barts last September for routine blood tests to detect cancer cells, which was negative.

But a further test just three weeks ago, just as she'd returned to full-time work, revealed a totally different story.

Jo was told her liver was peppered with secondary tumours and it was inoperable as well as incurable.

After getting over the initial shock, brave Jo decided to take an optimistic approach to her impending death.

She called a meeting with family and friends to break the news and this week, fuelled by chocolate and wine, Jo's 'Bucket List' – things to do before she kicks the bucket – was born with the help of two close friends, Christine Walker and Miriam Bolton.

Things on the list include going abroad, as she has never set foot off British soil, a parachute jump, a balloon ride – which someone has already promised – a day out at the races, and to own a chihuahua, which she has dreamed about since she was seven years old.

Jo, who worked in Tesco in Vimy Road for 11 years, is mum to 20-year-old Jessica and has a two-year-old grandson called Alfie, and her daughter has promised to look after the dog when she is gone.

While she fulfils her wish list, she will pilot a course of chemotherapy and a brand new drug. She knows it cannot cure her but it may slow down the growth of the tumours, giving her more time.

Jo has very long black hair which she plans to have shaved off for charity before the effects of chemotherapy strike.

She said: "I am not ready to bow out yet. I've a daughter's wedding and 21st birthday to arrange and a grandson to watch grow up."

However, artist Jo has also been advised to bring her own birthday forward.

She would normally be celebrating on April 19, but doctors expect her to be too ill by then, so another friend, Bronwen Cox, of Design in Friday Street, has arranged a band called In Colour to entertain while Christine and Miriam will be putting together an auction of promises in aid of Macmillan Nurses and Cancer Research.

Jo said: "The only time I get upset is when I think of leaving Jessica and Alfie behind. I have nothing, no life insurance – they will not be provided for.

"I've also had to come to terms with disappointment that I did not make the most of my life.

"Some nights I would sit in because I felt too fat or I had a bad hair day, or it was raining!

"I was so critical and I wasted so much time worrying about what other people thought of me.

"I have started to make plans for my funeral, I would like a wicker coffin and I want my ashes to be sprinkled at Glastonbury Tor so I am free to rock every year at the concert.

"I'd also like Burn Baby Burn played!

"I believe we are part of a bigger plan and there are other things out there and we all have an energy so I have offered to come back as a spirit guide to my friends!

"Also I want to find Freddie Mercury, Marc Bolan, Michael Hutchence, and play guitar with Jimi Hendrix!

"I would also like to have my wake before I go, so I can attend. I will be arranging a Pink Punters night out and an old ladies' night out in the town.

"Because I won't reach old age, I would like to go out with a blue rinse and pinch young guys' bums and get away with it!"

Ocular melanoma is thought to be caused by sun damage from ultraviolet rays. Wearing polarised sunglasses can protect against eye cancer.
Jo said: "Fashion sunglasses terrify me. Those sold for £2 or £3, although dark, do not offer protection.

"All glasses should be polarised. People using sunbeds should always wear goggles.

"I was told that I was always a risk of melanoma because I am fair-skinned, blue-eyed and have more than 100 moles on my body, including on the palms of my hands and soles of my feet.

"My advice to others is always wear proper sunglasses."

Meanwhile, Jo is determined to be well enough to take part in the Race For Life at Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury, on May 10 – even if her friends have to push her around in a wheelchair.

"I'll be going for the champagne finish!" she said.

If you like to spnosor Jo, visit www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/joannecain3

You can keep track of Jo's Bucket List on the Facebook website by typing in her full name, Joanne Cain.