By Name and By Nature

24 September 2004


Ivan Noble’s “Tumour Diary”

Unless one is a faithful visitor to the BBC’s website, the name Ivan Noble doesn’t meant much. Mr. Noble’s byline reads “BBC News Online science writer.” In the last two years, he has become something of a cult figure, and has proved himself to be one of the bravest people around. In August of 2002, Mr. Noble was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor (or tumour). Since then, he has allowed the world to watch his struggle through his online diary. Some days are good, some days aren’t, but every entry is a highly concentrated serving of the human condition, yesterday’s in particular.

Mortality is difficult concept to accept. As Mr. Noble notes, members of the human race are the only animals in the jungle that know the situation. Knowing doesn’t make it any easier to handle. Mr. Noble is merely different from most because his medical situation has focused his attention on the matter.

Any economist can show that things become more valuable as they become scarce, and so it is with time. In his mid-thirties, married with a baby daughter, Mr. Noble appeared to have all the time in the world. One doctor’s visit later (or more likely a few), there was much less time than he thought. It is clear from his writing that every day has become more valuable. And yet yesterday’s column ended with what could be in the head of every man, woman and child on any day of the week – “There has to be more.”

Reading his columns is initially a voyeuristic experience, until one realizes that he wants the diary to be read. He has invited the entire internet world into what is, frankly, his deathwatch. The sympathy and empathy that comes in the reader replies at the end of each column make what would be an obscene intrusion into a communal act of support and love.

There have been setbacks (when his remission turned out to be fleeting), there has been some tension (wondering if he’d live to see his son born) and there has actually been some joy (he met his son five weeks ago). Mr. Noble, in short, is living just like everyone else, except that he is much more aware of the human condition that most. And he has found a meaning in his life, by sharing what remains of it, that will endure.

Editor's Note: Since this was written, the BBC has announced the passing of Mr. Noble at the age of 37.

Except for the above photograph © Copyright 2004 by The Kensington Review, J. Myhre, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent.

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