Hi Everyone. Sorry for the lack of updates this week. Maarten has been feeling sicker and weaker longer this round then previous ones- He doesn’t have much energy and spends most of his time on the couch with the cat (exhibit A!) or sleeping. He’s napping a lot for someone who always said ‘I don’t believe in naps’ (like it’s a philsophy or a religion….let me tell you I’m a believer!).
The past few days I have been sick with a cold…which is a bit nerve wracking when living with someone who has chemo. The LAST thing I want to do is get him sick. I suppose next time it happens I shall have to do the right thing and sacrifice my self by checking into a spa to recover. KLM flies to the Caribbean, right? I hear the sea air is good to recover one’s health 
.
Next week we meet with the Oncologist on Monday, then Wednesday Maarten goes back to the OLVG to begin the final round of Chemo. I’ve been asked a lot what the next steps are after the chemo is over and the answer is, we’re not sure. There are two possibilities, something or nothing. What will most likely happen is nothing. He will take a PETscan and see what is left behind after the chemo. If what is left behind is under 3cm then I believe the protocol is to monitor the tumor with Pet Scans and blood tests every few months. The tumor, once the cancerous cells are gone (which I think they already are) should shrink on it’s own. If Something needs to happen, meaning the tumor hasn’t shrunk enough, then there will be either surgery to remove it, or radiation to kill it more. We’re hoping for the first option, nothing.
On a different note, we’ve had problems with Maarten’s ‘Unemployment’ payment. It seems that since Maarten had the nerve to get sick after he gave his notice to end his employment contract, He doesn’t fit within the rules of the Uwv (the deciding organization). Thanks to Anita (who helped us out while on vacation in Bali- THAT is dedication- big up to you!!) and her colleague Gerda who are helping us out with the maze of paperwork that is bureaucracy. After much fretting, nail biting and several phone calls (not to mention an slightly stressed Maarten going in for a refill, since he recieved the letter from the Uwv right before his treatment), we think it’s going to turn out all right.
Thanks for all of the comments. They Make Maarten feel better.
Fijn dat er nu een update is. Vervelend van je griep en dat het Maarten dit keer nog zwaarder valt. En erg irritant van het UWV, ziek worden daar kiest toch niemand voor?!?
En Exhibitit A is wel heel lief, zo samen knuffelend op de bank. Nou ik denk dat jullie wel weten waar wij na het werk naar toe vertrekken, jip Lowlands 2008. Waar vannacht tussen 00.00 en 03.00 Dirk en Anne-Marie de 24-uurstent gek gaan maken. Maar eerst de sjouw en vind een plek tocht ondernemen. We hebben er zin in! Liefs Marjolein
Fingers crossed that the tumour has indeed been zapped by these chemo rounds. In the meantime, it looks like the cat is happy with some quality nap time with Lens so that might be a habit you’ll need to continue despite your beliefs (i’m with Lori on the nap thing, personally).
Good to see the zany Lens-Fitz sense of humour is still firmly in place too…
Beste Maarten en Lori,
Wat een bummer, deze keer. Vervelend dat de chemo deze keer nogal tegenvalt. Je houdt er denk ik toch wel rekening mee dat dat kan gebeuren, maar liever niet, natuurlijk. Heel veel sterkte gewenst. Goed dat er een update op de blog staat, maakte me al een beetje zorgen.
Veel sterkte en lekker relaxen op de bank met Exhibit A!
Groetjes,
Jojanneke
Dear Maarten & Lori,
We are sorry to hear that this round has left you feeling weaker and sicker, Maarten. Sounds like your body is working hard to reduce Theo to zero!
A good remedy for colds is 2 T apple cider vinegar (organic if possible) in 8 oz of water. Or, take a gulp of water from .5 L bottled water, pour a gulp of apple cider vinegar into bottle…sip until gone. Works for me every time. The taste does grow on you.
Love & good thoughts are always coming your way.
oxox Shirley & David
Almost ready for a other round of Sjouwlands,
I’m going to mis the headcampingmaster an Mrs. this time.
Next time I hope!
Is the campinghotline still online?
Take care Maarten, Sir Nap-al-lot, take good example in exihibit A.
And Lori, yes Klm does fly there, need a porter to slepp your luggage there? i’m having my practice weekend so next week i’m in top shape!
My boss is happy with the slow updates, it seems i’m getting work done? Online Olympics kind of levels this out!
Greetings bas
Hi Maarten,
what stress!! Crossing fingers with the Uwv, such unecessary extra negative vibes, but hey you have been blessed with friends for all occasions!
Keep tight, our heroes!
Hugs
Marta
Believe in naps! Nothing better than a good nap with a cat on your belly. Wat balen dat het deze keer zo zwaar valt. Hopelijk is dit de laatste keer en is theo gesmolten als een ijsje in de zon. Take care!
Hey Guys
Luca has promised to cook !! Hope you both are feeling better soon ! Lots of love J
Hi Lori and Maarten,
This has been a tough session for you and we hope that you’ll both be feeling much better by this weekend so that you can open a bottle of rose.
Trust me Maarten, the older you get the more of an advocate for naps you will be. I’ve been retired for tens years and I’m just now giving myself permission to take a nap now and then. What luxury and very restorative.
Soon you will be back to your old self and in the thick of your new business and naps will be a thing of the past.
Love you both.
Hoop dat het binnenkort allemaal geregeld is!!
Dikke kus voor jullie allebei,
OA
Hey you guys
Was wondering how you were as Tim’s brother Nick is on his way to the PET scan as we speak. His lymphoma is now down from a grapefruit to a golfball but still a few months of the dread chemo to go. Nick has also been worse the last couple of weeks but apparently we hear that – bizarrely – that can be a good sign!
Lori – please don’t forget to look after yourself too! –
I think we should all get together to send you both off to Aruba once this is over!
Sterkte uit Engeland en heel veel liefs
Dee xx
Obi-Wan: The Force will be with you, always!
if nothing else this should make you laugh:
http://livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/08/12/Escaped_giant_poo_causes_chaos
Sorry you’ve been having such a crappy run of late. (could not resist). You knew it was coming and you are on track. Do what you need to do to sleep it off and keep what energy you can for the importants stuff. Thats for you too, Lori, and your cold.
maybe you need to start planning a trip to a spa getaway for your anniversary and to celebrate the demise of Theo.
YES! The sea air IS indeed the cure for what ails you! And you can believe me because I’ve watched E.R. before AND my mom used to watch General Hospital when I was growing up so I totally know what I’m talking about. If you need a note from me to excuse you from work, let me know!
Sorry to hear Maarten is weak and you are sick, but we’re VERY optimistic that before you know it, all will be good once again.
Many hugs and much love,
Jim & Laini
I am a big fan of napping and believe in its transformative powers (mostly for an extra dose of beauty sleep to ward off the dark circles and wrinkles). I used to think that naps were only for enfants and layabouts. Check out this cool guide to napping.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/naps/
I hope you both feel better … nap on!
Love,
Julia
Hey Guys!
Good luck with the next round! The end is near…enjoy the naps while you can
Lots of love to you both
xx
E
I’m a big fan of napping and often evangelize the transformative power of a quick zzzz . I used to buy the propaganda that naps are only for infants and layabouts — treat yourself to this cool infographic from The Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/naps/
I hope you both feel better.. Nap On!
Love Julia
Ciao! I”ve been kept in the loop by Laini and Jim…so sorry you have to go through this, your attitude is amazing and jim and I are wishing the best outcome for you!!!I think of you and Lori often, hope Laini can visit when Lens gets his strength back…we love you, Patti
Dame en Heer Lens,
Kom op, schouders eronder, jullie zijn al zo ver gekomen. Nu doorbijten, doorpakken, doorgaan, doorzetten en vast nog iets met door- … Hou vol, eind is in zicht. Komt goed!
Lode
Hee Maarten,
Lange tijd niet gezien en dan hoor je zo’n ongeloofelijk verhaal waarvan je denkt dat kan niet! Ik lees je site en ben onder de indruk van je vechtlust en optimisme. Hou vol, man!!
Thomas
P.S. Die kat van jullie, die krijgt toch wel genoeg lekker eten hopelijk?! Wel een trouw beest als ik dat zo zie!
I think you guys are on the right track…kitty cat on the belly and drinking with friends is very good medicine!
Love,
Meredith & Sam
Cat therapy is good. So is all the love and rest you’re getting.
I’m looking for excuses to come over there again soon. Lately I’ve taken an interest in what Johan Pouwelse and crew are doing with bittorrent at Delft and with http://www.tribler.org/. He’s been visiting here at Berkman and we’ve been having some productive talks. Lots of nice overlaps in business model development with our work with ProjectVRM.
Anyway, would love to visit if I can make it work… And bring some additional cheer into your life. Since it will probably be October or later, you’ll be on your way out of this tunnel and back on track.
As for me, I still don’t know what’s on my pancreas. Hoping it’s a nothing. (Odds favor that.) Won’t know until late September, when we do an ultrasound/biopsy.
Meanwhile, warm and loving vibes to all three of you.
Doc