Ivan Noble

[lizziec]

Every so often there is someone who touches your life just though their writing. You don't know them but their bravery and determination communicated to your through their writing touches and moves you in ways that you could not even imagine and has a huge impact on your life and way of thinking.

One such person for me was Ivan Noble.

Ivan was a write for the BBC website when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2002. He kept a remarkable tumor diary and did his best to de-mystify and educate people about cancer. I have read it from the beginning and would urge anyone who reads this entry to do the same, because it shows what a remarkable man he was. He is a person I very much respected.

His diary was updated for the last time last week (I wrote about it here) and on Monday he died.

Considering I never knew and will never know him I am bizarrely upset. I wanted him to win his fight. I wanted him to be there to see his children grow up, I wanted them to know him properly, I wanted his wife never to know the sorrow of widowhood and being left with two young children. Now I'm crying and I can't even explain why properly.

He was an amazing man and I hope that if I should ever be diagnosed with a such an illness (and I really hope I never am) that I can face it with even half of the bravery he showed.

My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Comments

[lady-icedragon.livejournal.com]

You're not alone in feeling so upset. I followed his diaries for quite a while, and this really makes the reality of cancer quite harsh. In a way, we did know him. He shared a part of himself, of his life, with his readers.

He was a brave man and a fighter, but at the end of the day that wasn't enough.

[lizziebeth-c.livejournal.com]

You put it very beautifully.

Thank you *hug*

[evad-ukc.livejournal.com]

A fellow gadget geek too :/

A very sad, yet uplifting (if you know what I mean...) story indeed.

*huggle*

[lizziebeth-c.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean.

*huggle back * :)

[no1typo.livejournal.com]

Lizzie you know I cried lst week when he posted hi s last diary. Noting cna make up for losing ahusband and father, you d I know that but to know and have it in words how important yu were and how much you were loved must help them all in the coming weeks ad months and years.