Jane Elliott News Online Health Staff

Irene wanted conventional and holistic therapy

Just a light smoker for a few years in her youth, Irene felt she had no reason to worry about this particular form of cancer.

But when doctors revealed she had a tumour in her left lung and her lymph nodes were badly affected she knew her health was in serious trouble.

She said: "The scan showed there was a huge spread in all the lymph nodes and one was four centimetres big.

Devastating

"The consultant did not hold out much hope at all.

"Anyone can find they have cancer, but those words were just devastating to me."

I know there is no scientific basis for this, but this happened to me and I got better Irene Dingwall

Worried by her uncertain future Irene begged her husband not to send her to a hospice to die and asked her consultant to ensure that she did not choke as she was having severe difficulties swallowing.

Irene decided to take all the medical options open to her and embarked on a course of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

But she wanted something more and decided to consult a healer and this she feels was definitely one of the turning points in her battle for health.

"I went to see the healer and by the time I went for my chemotherapy four days later I was able to swallow.

"He had an amazing gift, he was just wonderful. When I first went to see him I did not have huge expectations, I just felt I wanted to go.

"I know there is no scientific basis for this, but this happened to me and I got better."

Spirit

After three cycles of chemotherapy she was told the cancer was receding.

"The consultant could not believe it and said it was wonderful. It had regressed 50%.

"Forty days after seeing the healer it had vanished, but I proceeded to have the rest of the chemotherapy."

Symptoms of lung cancer Reoccurring chest infections even after antibiotics Nagging cough for three weeks and breathlessness Lost voice, but no sore throat and unexplained shoulder, chest or back pain

Her healer Dr Michael Seear, a qualified GP, said Irene had helped her own recovery with her indomitable spirit.

"Irene was very gung-ho. She was adamant everything we did would be soaked up."

But Dr Sears said that although this sort of healing worked for Irene that it could not cure everyone. For some patients with terminal cancer, healing is a way of helping them to ease their deaths.

"Healing is not a panacea in terms of a cure. You can cure sometimes, but you can comfort all time."

Therapy

Irene, aged 64, then had radiotherapy.

But she said that alongside the conventional and holistic therapy, Irene also took up a variety of sports to get fit, aqua aerobics, swimming and Pilates.

"It makes me feel so much better. I feel good. I have gone back. I am having a lot of vitamins and I feel very well.

Lung cancer facts Second most common cancer in the UK There are over 38,000 new cases of lung cancer each year in the UK Smoking and passive smoking cause 9 out of 10 lung cancers

November has been designated Lung Cancer Awareness month, and the public is being urged to recognise the symptoms and get medical help.

Sally Lee, campaigns manager for Macmillan Cancer Relief, said early diagnosis was vital to survival rates.