IAN BURRELL IS 'VERY GRATEFUL' TO EVERYONE 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.

- By DEBORAH HALL

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.