Ian Burrell ‘very grateful’ to everyone involved in his care at the NHS
An East Yorkshire man who three years ago was told he “might not be here the next day” has just returned from a happy holiday with his grandchildren in Florida. Ian Burrell has mesothelioma, a cancer affecting the lining of the lungs.
To help spread awareness of the disease for Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, during Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Ian, of Hessle, is telling the story of his experience with lung cancer. He said: “In June 2022 I found myself short of breath and was experiencing sharp pains when I breathed in.
“I went to my GP who referred me for an X-ray, which I was told would be up to six weeks. I knew I didn’t feel myself so I decided to go to A&E where I had an X-ray and was admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary.
“The doctor at A&E advised me to stay in or else I may not be here the next day. The next day I had over a litre of fluid drained from my right lung.” After being allowed home, Ian was back the following week to have more fluid – a total of five litres – taken from his lung.
“They told me shortly after that they suspected I had mesothelioma and asked if I had ever been in contact with asbestos when I was younger,” said Ian, who started out as an electrician and was a buildings project manager throughout the rest of his working life. His surgeon said if he did not have any treatment, his prognosis was six to nine months.
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“This was an enormous shock as I have very rarely been ill throughout my life. Because I was healthy and had never smoked he was happy to offer me surgery.
“I felt I had no choice but to extend my life as long as I could. At the time my grandsons were four years old and eight months old and I wanted to see them and be part of their life for as long as possible. They’re now six and three and keep me going.”
In October 2022, Ian had surgery to remove tumours weighing over a kilogram from his body. Some were on his diaphragm and too close to a major artery to be taken out.
“I left hospital after a nine-day stay without any pain or the need for painkillers,” said Ian. I did have to carry out daily exercises and pedalled on a bike for a long time to build my strength.
“I did have to take it easy for a few months and have to accept that I cannot do everything that I used to do.” Ian was offered immunotherapy – “a gamechanger for lung cancer” – and said he considered himself “very fortunate” to be one of the first to benefit from this treatment.
He started the two-year course of treatment in December 2022 and had regular CT scans, all of which showed the disease to be stable. “Since the treatment finished I now have CT scans every four months or so; I also meet or speak to my consultant every six months.
“When it comes to side effects I’ve been fortunate enough to not have many, if any. I had a rash on my chest and back but over a couple of months this disappeared.
“My wife and daughter would tell you that I’ve become a bit snappy but I don’t see that! At present I feel very well, with little coughing or shortness of breath – but I consider these to be age-related too.
“I am very grateful for all the help and support I have received from everyone involved in my care at the NHS,” said Ian, adding that this had also assisted him in accepting the disease. “The internal and external support groups, such as Macmillan, Yorkshire and Humberside Asbestos Support Group (SARAG) and Mesothelioma Yorkshire (MESSY), have been invaluable in their advice and support.
“They can offer advice on any benefits available to prolong your life for as long as possible and as comfortably as possible. I would like to think that everyone that has a lung related disease has easy access to information regarding the treatments available and the great care provided by the different parts of the NHS.”
Ian said: “If anyone has a cough that will not go away or pains in the chest or shortness of breath, do not just ignore it. Get it checked out by your GP or, if invited to, have a lung or breathing test carried out.
“Accept it. Get it done. It could just save your life.” Ian is also happy to share his story of mesothelioma with anyone facing the same diagnosis and can be contacted through the Macmillan team at Castle Hill Hospital, or MESSY or SARAG online.