Story
Ian was diagnosed in September 2003 with a Gliomatosis Cerebri, following a few weeks of suffering from severe headaches. Ian was 29, at the time, married to Angela, for 3 years, all their hopes and dreams ahead of them. In December 2003, Ian had a fit and ended up in ICU in a coma for 2 months. As he came out of his coma gradually, we realised that Ian could not see, as the pressure in Ian's brain during the coma had damaged the optic nerves, but despite this Ian learnt with great difficulty to talk, walk, and basically learn to live again although this was very limited, as Ian needed the use of a wheelchiar for great distances, and personal care.
Ian was able to be home for his 30th birthday party, with his family and friends, it was a miracle, a day we thought we would never see. Later that year, 2004, Ian began to deteriorate and needed 6 weeks of radiotherapy, and following routine scans, Ian's tumour was in remission and in 2005, we were able to enjoy a better quality of life, in going to watch Ian's favourite football team, AFC Wimbledon, going on the Lourdes Pilgrimage and doing as much as we could, bearing in mind Ian's disablity and need. (Ian was on Clomipramine from December 2004). We thought we had turned a corner, and with Ian's fight to battle on, we continued to live as best we could each day.
In March 2006, following another scan, we were told that the tumour was on the move again, and Ian required chemotherapy in the form of Temozolomide. It was now classified as a Glioblastoma Multiforme. At first things were looking better, but unfortunately we began to see a deterioration in Ian, and despite months of treatment, Ian deteriorated further. Ian was admitted into the Woking Hospice at the end of September 2006, and following another scan in October, which showed a very bleak picture, Ian died on 13th October with Angela, and his close family around him. He was 32.
Ian accepted his illness from the beginning, he learnt to cope as best he could, with a great deal of help from Angela and his family. His courage and fortitude was just amazing, and he will be remembered for his bravery, beautiful smile, the joy he brought to so many people, whose lives have been touched by Ian. He is an inspiration to us all.
We miss you Ian, so much, life is so cruel, remember those hopes and dreams we had, well they are locked away in my heart, but your memory Ian will live on forever. We have always been positive, and lived in hope, and our faith helped us through, and by setting up Ian's fund through SDBTT I hope to continue that positive attitude, I know I have Ian's blessing in raising awareness and funds with the aim to eventually find that cure that we all so desperately want.
Angela Widdup