Christmas Holidays in Oostende

After some hours driving in the snow we arrived last week in a
white Oostende. In the meantime the snow has gone at the cost.
Its still very cold because of the strong wind, but on Christmas
day we had beautiful sunshine.
We enjoy children and grandchildren. With the complete family
we will step into the New year.

Christmas time

The last message in this blog was too long ago.
Even when the situation is rather good, there should be information
for the followers of this blog.
The blood research gives already more than a year a positive result.
The medicines are still working to keep the situation stable and every
time we leave the hospital after visiting the oncologist, we feel happy.
Time is running too fast and sometimes we have the feeling to stop
the time to enjoy the little things that make life valuable.
No Christmas decorations in our house this year, because the
activities will take place at the Belgium coast side.
We rented an appartment in Oostende, big enough to have the
children and grandchildren around.
During our summer holidays at least one time Jet starts to sing:
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas". Strange when we lay in the sun
with a beer within reach.
But her wishes are answered completely now.
We had never so much snow during the last years, but one week too
early.

Pink again

It was another kind of pink last week.
The 'Giro d'Italia' started in Holland this year and last Sunday
the cycling caravan passed our place Houten.
Because of this special event Jet invited the whole family for
an Italian dinner after watching the Giro show.
It was a nice way to delay thinking about the impending visit to
the oncologist. A new bonescan was made and the result should be
discussed in two days.
A lovely party. Jet decorated the room with Italian banners and
other things in green, white and red. The food was delicious and
when the guests were gone, the kitchen was packed with plates,
cutlery and glasses. And empty bottles of course. Many !

On Monday the reality weighed heavily on the shoulders.
Anxious waiting. Enough green and red napkins to wipe the tears.
Tuesday 10.05 a.m.
Doctor de Jong told us that the result of the bonescan was very
good. Some of the metastasis visible last time in november
were invisible now. .
Probably one could hear our breath of relexation outside the room.
Also the testing of the blood gave an excellent result.

We were driving home on a pink cloude. Whoever shall win the Giro,
Jet will never give away her 'maglia rosa'

One year ago

This week it is exactly one year ago that the breast cancer was
discovered.
The events during last weeks have distracted the attention of the
impending visit to the oncologist.
An unspoken anxiety was ousted by Jet working as co-ordinator of
the removal of her mother from Heerlen to Houten.
Pain and fatigue were forgotten during the choices of wallpaper
and carpet.
Last Tuesday we had to go to the hospital.
Doubt and a little anxious to hear the result of the blood research.
But how good to hear that the cancer markers were even better than
last time.They are now within the normal ranges.
The medicines do their job and we left the hospital with a wonderful
feeling.

George van Vlijmen

The night after his 90. birthday my father was seized by a stroke.
After many hours of watching by him we saw him passing away
peacefully last Wednesday.
We can't describe our feelings now.