Fiona Green, 62, was diagnosed with cancer in September. Here, in the second of an occasional diary, she details her early treatment

AS SOON as the provisional diagnosis was made, my family and friends came in with support.
This, plus the herbal remedy, is what has helped me through the rollercoaster initial stages of unknowing.
Others came to tell horror stories, much as they do when you are pregnant. I learned to keep clear of these so called well wishers because you need to be around positive people when your mood swings are so great.
Next, I had to fight to get complementary health support. Even in 2005, there are doctors who believe this important healing cannot be allowed. Eventually, my senior oncologist agreed with to it as long as he be informed of the recommendations.
Counselling, massage and a huge range of therapies are available free to NHS patients.
From my herbalist, who I called Gandalf, I got a magic potion. It was a daily dose of an immune-boosting remedy containing passion flower, Chinese sage, marigold and spleenwort because radiation kills the immune system.
At the homeopathic hospital, I was given C Nosode, which is a diluted form of lung cancer tissue because homeopathy gives you a dose of what you already have.
From my GP there was a flu jab and I went for treatment feeling stronger than ever.
First the biggest lump was removed as a biopsy and I then faced a four-month wait for radiotherapy, for which the Christmas backlog was blamed. I had low grade Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. This is slow growing, and can return after the treatment, but usually not for quite a few years, if at all. Because it is slow, there is no need for chemotherapy. In the ward next to mine, I saw a man with a tumour bigger than his head, growing out from his head.
I vowed then, never to complain about anything ever again, and kept taking the herbs.
Cancer can be a very humbling and spiritually uplifting experience.
My favourite reads are Anam Cara by John O’Donohue and a diet of biographies. I will change my life now, I vowed. I stopped smoking immediately, and planned a holiday for when I am strong enough to travel again.
No amount of literature sent by the radiotherapy department can prepare you for the fitting of the mould and mask. This is to keep you still during treatment. Mine was for my head and shoulders, and it had a hole to breathe through.
I had bad claustrophobia since childhood, so to be put into a restraining mask, which is fitted to my head, and to be strapped to a bed, feels like being buried alive. And it looks like a medieval scolds mask.
I taught myself meditation, to prevent the claustrophobia taking over. After the course of the treatment, I plan to make a sculpture out of the mask – perhaps like a ship’s figurehead.
I am given radiation every day, (except weekends) for five minutes at a time over a month. What I feel is extreme tiredness, a burning sensation and dryness in my mouth. To help me, I take aloe vera juice and radium bromide pills from the homeopath.
I also wrap my neck in a handkerchief, soaked in aloe vera juice overnight in the fridge, which would also heal sunburn and helps with the burning of the skin from the X-rays.
As the days go by my throat feels more sore, so I am on a daily diet of soups, drinks, porridge and early nights.
It’s ideal to have someone make these soups for you, if you are so lucky. I have found it is a good time to ask for support and angels do exist.

• Fiona Green, of Fitzrovia, is a retired counsellor and teacher of children with health problems.