Remission - August 2022

A dark time is finally left behind.

Not responding to treatment anymore in order to contain / slow down the progression of the aggressive cancer, metastasis popped-up all over the place.

Creating havoc, literally destroying body tissues and a lot of pain. Being ill gets placed in a completely new perspective.

But despite everything, swimming and gym continued. Yes there where times it only lasts for 15 minutes, or going around like a “zombie”. With a wet belt to prevent drowning, even if you want to. Keeping the body into motion, slowing down the process of decreasing condition.

Also kept continuing working. One day better then the other. But life goes on, and so am I. Never willing to give up.

One might say that my time hadn’t come. Extremely lucky that the metastasis, which where growing and destroying at an insane speed, only present in joints and bones. The outcome could be completely different if it appeared in lungs or liver.

 A new treatment started begin of July. Most threatening metastasis where radiated and a daily “medicine” is taking care of the cancer.

And again, we are in remission. A second chance is granted. The destruction of the right shoulder seems to be beyond recovering. No pain, but pretty immobile. It’s a price, a small one I would say knowing that the outcome could be completely different. In Dutch one might say: “crawling through the eye of a needle”.

And now the pace of life cranks up again. Continuing swimming and gym in order to get in top condition again.

Enjoying life, everyday. And embarrassing my sons on holiday. As a statement of joy jumping on the airfield while waiting in line for security…”to the left” jump jump jump, “to the right” jump jump jump. And keep continuing this during our stay in beautiful Bulgaria.

Feeling healthy, strong and energetic, like if nothing ever happened.

As mentioned in the last blog we are on a mission with a team in Kathmandu Nepal. Creating as much as possible Business Intelligence jobs for Nepalese graduates.

In the first two weeks of September we finally meet the Nepalese team. While it will be an intensive period, it will be a lot of fun too. Getting to know each other, each culture and most important looking forward. Where do we want to be in future and which steps are necessary to get there.

And then in an unexpected moment, you get caught completely of guard. While jumping around like a small goat, and smiling at life suddenly a doctor calls me…”You are going to Nepal?”. And a debate arises with two hospitals. It’s in that moment you’re roughly brought back to earth. Unavoidable reminded of the darkness wandering around under the shallow. Not a shallow somewhere else, my shallow.

But that said, one should let lose! One said that you only die once, but live everyday. And so I will jump again before security while waiting for the flight to Nepal, “to the left…to the right”. Probably embarrassing my accompanying colleagues. But I don’t care, because I live.

A second chance and a new chapter, chapter Plieger and Four Symmetrons Innovation in Kathmandu Nepal. Already a great collaboration with an increasing team of 15 specialists and juniors at the moment. The goal is to grow to a Plieger BI team of 30 specialists. Our CEO even suggested, please grow at least till 100 employees, all having an opportunity to have a BI job for European companies, including Plieger.

Looking forward for this time in Kathmandu for many reasons. Not only for meeting this great Nepalese team, but also accompanied with talented colleagues and especially my forever guardian angel Andrea Berkhout. Not only my valued colleague and partner in crime, but my Sister.

Most important of course: legacy. Making use of this time of remission to make a difference in this dynamic world.

There’s a famous Dutch song. It’s about putting a stone into a river, which will change its course, and therefore you will be remembered forever.

We’ll see how long the remission lasts, but every day gained is one to be lived.