Updated in February 2008

On May 9th 2007 after months of back-aches, weight drop and fevers, I was diagnosed with something likely to be a cancer. A week and a half later I got myself admitted to the AMC (Amsterdam NL), the same hospital as where I had my successful kidney-cancer treatment in 1974. From the moment I was in the hospital the case was taken very seriously (finally). For two weeks many doctors were working hard to find the source and right treatment. The beginning of June I was sent back home. Diagnosis: kidney cancer, without any trace in the kidneys themselves, but with very aggressive metastasizes in the bones. I had a corset to prevent any back-movements in order to prevent any more damage on the lower thoracic spines and prevent a nerve break-down and could only be transported by ambulance.

From the very beginning Jennifer and I had a very strong confidence in a good outcome. It won’t come easy and it will take a lot of time, but we will manage to get all of the metastasizes out of my body, get my bone-cracks repaired and live a normal life again. No matter what it takes, we were determined.

See here for a more detailed summary of the first four months.

By now we realise that we will have cancer for the rest of our lives. Still convinced I can find a way of enjoying life and being a good father for our two young kids (1 and 3), but very well aware of the constant risk that is hanging above us.

I will continue to focus on my healing process, following the holistic approach, which I believe is the only way to get a chance to be the exception. And that is what it is all about, make sure you beat the statistics.

No matter the challenges we are faced with and the time it will take, we will prevail.

Joost