A COURAGEOUS Greenock gran with terminal cancer is inviting people to support her charity fundraiser in aid of Ardgowan Hospice.

Isobel Spencer said she was ‘devastated’ when doctors broke the news that she has incurable cancer in her lungs and adrenal glands.

But despite her diagnosis, the stoic 50-year-old, of Branchton Road, says she’s ‘going nowhere’ and will fight to live for her family.

She is now on a mission to raise as much money as she can for Ardgowan Hospice in the time she has left after says hailing them as an ‘incredible support’.

Isobel told the Tele: “I burst out crying when doctors said that the cancer was terminal.

“To be told that there is nothing else they can do for you is like someone pulling the rug away from underneath you. You are left numb, but I’m trying to stay strong and fight on – I want to live for as long as I can.

“The reason I’m holding this charity night is because I want to thank Ardgowan Hospice for being there for me.

“They have been absolutely tremendous and really supportive. 

“They have been taking me up and down to my appointments through their transport service and have also provided excellent counselling.

“I want to raise as much money as I can for them as a thank you for all of their help.”

Isobel, who lives with her husband Anthony and grandson Jai, 10, said her ordeal began about two years ago after going to the doctor suffering with back pain.

She said: “I was in agony, in constant pain.

“I had sciatica and thought it was connected to that, but it gradually got worse. Eventually I went to see the doctor and I was sent for scans.”

Medics discovered Isobel had cancer in both her lungs and adrenal glands.

She has undergone gruelling rounds of chemotherapy at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, but was told earlier this year that the cancer is terminal.

Isobel is now waiting to see if she is suitable to be given a new drug which may stop the cancer spreading.

She said: “My heart goes out to any other families who have got to go through this.”

Isobel says that her family, especially her grandson, have been a constant source of strength throughout her struggle.

She said: “Jai keeps me going.

“He said to me, ‘you’ll be fine gran, I asked my teacher to say a prayer for you’.

“He’s adorable.”

Isobel says her husband has also been an incredible support, as well as her brothers Jake and Philip, and her nieces.

She said: “Anthony has been amazing through this and has been looking after me full time.

“My brothers have also been brilliant. I can’t thank them enough.”

Isobel is also keen to thank Kirsty Docherty, the lung cancer specialist nurse at Inverclyde Royal Hospital and nurse Alison Brown, as well as doctors Margaret and John Thompson, who are based at the Roxburgh Practice in Greenock.

She says she is also grateful to Father Peter McGarry at St Andrew’s Church, as well as her faith healer Richard and her neighbour Mr Donaghy.

She added: “I also want to thank Provost Robert Moran as he got me a beautiful gift from his trip to Lourdes.”

Isobel is now inviting everyone to a charity disco she and Anthony have organised in aid of the hospice on Saturday October 8 at Branchton Community Centre.

The bring-your-own-bottle party night will include a disco, buffet and a raffle.

Tickets for the evening, which begins at 7.30pm, are £5. To book your place, phone 07760 287700.

Anyone who would like to donate raffle prizes are asked to get in touch.