Cancer-stricken John laughs and blogs all way to the end
A FATHER-OF-TWO who wrote a blog about being diagnosed with cancer has died.
John Widdowson launched a website called "Butter Side Up" after doctors diagnosed a tumour around his oesophagus in February last year.
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ALWAYS POSITIVE: John Widdowson, pictured with his wife, Jane, set up a blog to keep him busy and share stories of his treatment for throat cancer to help family and friends get through the ordeal with him.
His sister, Barbara Kirby, said he found it cathartic to write about fighting the disease.
She said: "He was always very humorous and positive throughout, helping others because that is the sort of chap he was. He found it cathartic to write about his feelings, choosing the website name because he said that whenever he dropped toast he felt it would land butter side up."
Mr Widdowson, 49, died at home in Longfield Lane, Ilkeston, leaving wife Jane and daughters Lydia, 12, and five-year-old Miriam.
Mr Widdowson, an IT manager for Nottingham City Council, was diagnosed in February last year after problems he had swallowing food.
He initially launched his blog to keep busy during his treatment. He thought it would be a good way to help himself and his and family get through the ordeal and a good way to keep people informed.
Mr Widdowson's treatment included surgery and chemotherapy at Nottingham City Hospital and his blog described a camera being eased down his throat to check for a blockage.
He wrote "Everybody gathered round to have a look.
"'It looks like kids' toys,' said one. 'Chocolate balls,' said another. 'I can see the face of Elvis,' said a third. At that stage, the consultant took over, probably because she had 'bagsies' on any gold coins that were down there."
Mr Widdowson also told of the day when the diagnosis was confirmed by a doctor.
"No beating about the bush, he just said, 'Do you know the results of the tests?' I said, 'no' and he said, 'you have cancer'. At that point your mind races a bit, the word cancer repeating itself. It was just as well Jane was there to take it all in so we could confer later."
In 1987, Mr Widdowson was run over by a tank while serving with the Army in Germany with the Royal Engineers.
He suffered severe internal injuries and was unconscious for three weeks.
Barbara, a nurse, said the family had raised £1,200 for Treetops Hospice at Risley, where Mr Widdowson had been cared for, with a charity walk last year. In May, she plans another charity walk.
Mr Widdowson's funeral will be at Bramcote Crematorium on Friday, at 11.45am. To read his blog, go to www.johnwiddowson.com.
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