Lori here-the past two days have been good ones for Maarten. He has slowly been recovering his energy from the chemo in the hospital and I’ve seen an increase in his appetite.
This afternoon he went back to the hospital for a ‘Day Treatment’ which consisted of 1 bag of chemo. He had been nervous in the morning (he told me this later, as I worked this morning) before we went to the OLVG, but seemed to settle during the treatment.
We were only there for about 1 hour and Maarten, feeling well enough, wanted to go get the new WIRED magazine at the American Book Center in Downtown Amsterdam. As he hadn’t been out of the house since coming home on Monday night, we looked at it as a mini adventure and drove downtown. We spent a nice hour walking around and (to quote Maarten) ‘Being normal’.
By the time we got home, the side effects started kicking in. His energy disappeared and his hands and feet started getting really cold. This led to a severe case of the chills and a headache. He slept a little, and is finally eating something, but I think this has been the toughest day for him physically so far. According to the nurses, tomorrow, day 10, is when his immune system will be at it’s lowest point in the cycle.
All of your positive thoughts, messages and love are being recieved and keeping him afloat. Please keep emailing/commenting/messaging him. The suport keeps him well (along with myself and Freddy of course!).
Maartens Journey 
Hi Maarten and Lori,
I feel with you so much, can’t even imagine how tough this is on you…
Maarten, hang in there, it’s a season in a life time, before you know it’s all over and one more reason to be happy, and proud and full of love!
Just feeeel the vibes!
Have you tried chanting? Like repeating the name of something you love, like Lori, Lori, Lori, Lori….and otherwise Freddy, Freddy, Freddy! 🙂
Take care and see you soon
Marta
Lens – hang in there. Marta had some great things to say above…it’s merely a detour – and your back on the road again. So much love, support and positive vibes coming from this side of the pond. Rest up, keep all the love your receiving in a bundle next to you for when you need it.
Luv luv,
Connie
The Force will be with you, always.
Use the Force, Lens.
For your amusement: I’m running charity Scavenger Hunt this weekend. Its kind of a bar crawl based on the Amazing race. here’s the link – be sure to look at the pics from last year for some laughs
http://dcsmashed.org/scavenger/Welcome.html
All of the official race Volunteers (we call them Bar Tsars) get super hipster Pabst Blue Ribbon Trucker hats. There will be one in the mail to you as soon as I get your real mail address. BTW, I understand you do not need so many hats, but this particular hat is the prozed possession among the geekster IT webby men and woman running the world. I’m guessing not so many in A’dam, so you should be able to spot the longing in the eyes of those truly in the know. And you know Jos will be very jealous.
Keep your spirits up, Lens, and Lori, you keep your energy and spirits up too! Someone has to sasstalk when needed!
We’re thinking of you and reading the website every day. Glad you’re home. Took Brian’s cat to the vet today and she had to have an IV and while they were giving it to her I thought of you. (!). Be strong & hope you feel better soon. lots of love to you both. LRB&K
Maarten, hang in there buddy! We’re with you from just a little distance. We hoped to see you this week but reading Lori’s post I think we should consider planning a new appointment next week.
Good luck to the both of you!
Ruben @RS
Zet hem op! Fijn in ieder geval dat je Lori en Freddy bij je hebt 🙂
Dikke kus
Hi There,
So if day 10 is the lowest immunity in this cycle I guess we can call this your first day on the way up! Very funny how being normal is something that you long for, others always try not te become “normal”. This proves that you are again very special.
Take care of each other, and Lori I wan’t to hear all about your new job when we see each other again.
Anita
Hey Kickass Cowboy, ik zie dat BEP lekker tekeer gaat! Hou je taai, grtz LeolovesBEP
Hang in there dude ! We are still thinking of you, keep the faith 🙂
Good morning Maarten,
We hope you slept well and that today will be better than yesterday! Enjoy the small things and sleep the bad things away. How is your taste? Do you still manage to enjoy eating some things??? We’ll try and see you somewhere during the weekend, but leave it up to you to say if and when you’re ready for us, even if only for a very short period of time.
Your journey is now even being read in Brazil! They were wondering why the hospital allows the invasion of both people and equipment? It would be unheard of in other countries. Not to mention having a mouse in the hospital canteen!! Juliet in Switzerland was horrified when she saw it. But otherwise reactions are positive and everybody I talk or mail to, think of you and hope all will go well after crossing the deep valleys.
Love from your ma
Things can only get better, I guess! Keep up your wonderful spirit and know that day 11, 12, 13 and on are just around the corner!
Hi guys,
Sorry to hear how much you were suffering, but I’m taking great solice in the thought of how much more Theo is suffering.
Hope you’re through this trough to another peak soon.
Take guy you two,
Duncan x
interesting….
Should be ‘take care’, but whatever works for you :o)
Dude and dudess,
Stay strong, this all will be history in a few moths. Meantime, we (Yes I do write we, you’re not alone in this) support you as much as we can in any way we can think of.
So, hang in there buddy.
Laters,
JosK
Good morning Maarten,
Hope your feet and hands are warm this morning and you are well enough to sit near the window and feel the warmth of the sun. Thinking of you especially today 🙂
Liefs, Barb
Dear Maarten & Lori,
What a great idea Marta had to chant and what better words than “Lori” and “Freddy”…I can see your smile as you talk about them.
Keep being strong and when you don’t feel it, know that strong thoughts of love and good health are coming your way from all directions of your world.
Love and hugs, Shirley & David
Hang in there dude (and Lori!), things will improve someday, somehow!
Love the chairs picture; did you get your hair and nails done also?
Thinking of you,
Love,
Mom Mary
Hey dudes! It’s tough but it’s all worth it…In no time you will be back to your old tricks 🙂
All my positive thoughts are with you both.
Just as Duncan said, think how much Theo is suffering, that should give you some satisfaction.
Lens your spirit is amazing, don’t forget that!
Lots of love to you both and a big belly rub to Freddy or Lens 🙂
xx
E
Hi Maarten,
What an extremely energizing blog on such an energy absorbing disease and treatment. Truly amazing how you deal with this. All the best for you, and your family. I’ll keep an eye on your Journey!
Hi Maarten,
We hope you had a better day today and that you have a very smooth and very relaxing weekend ahead.
Ronald would like to come by again sometime soon (will call to arrange) and I will keep sending the good thoughts via this site. Please let us know when you’re allowed to have visits from children, as Miles would love to one day give you a high-five in person. Keep us ‘posted’. 🙂
In the meantime, a big hug from here from the 3 of us.
D, R & M
Hey Lens & Lori,
Did you know cats can talk too? Just listen very carefully to Freddy. Sssst. Closer. Do you hear it? Just a little bit closer. Come on you can do it. No, still not. He is a bit shy I think to tell you in the face. Let me then tell you what he told me lately: I love my bosses, they’re great People!!!
And as we can read in all comments, it is true.
Come on dude(ss) let’s look beyond.
Lens–
I remember after I had my radioactive cocktail treatments for my Grave’s disease I felt as weak as a kitten and had a strange out of body feeling for hours on end… I am sure it is not even close to all that you are feeling as side effects but I do know that when the strength returns it is even stronger and longer lasting than before. Even my new hair grew back in to be even better than before.. I know it will all be the same with you ten fold.
Love Julia
So sorry to hear that he was having a rough day (on day 9), but glad to see that day 10 wasn’t as bad as feared. We hope day 11 was only better and so on…
Many e-hugs your way!
Jim (& Laini too!)