Events on the 8th of JUNE
9 June 2025 … Posting 29082025
I wrote this post on the 9th of June, but at that time, I couldn’t bring myself to finish it due to the trauma I was experiencing. It was truly a challenging period for me, filled with overwhelming emotions that made it difficult to articulate my thoughts and feelings fully. I hope that by revisiting this topic now, I can express what I went through and bring some closure to this chapter of my life.
On the 8th of June, I had the scariest experience of my life!!! My worst fear was realized in that moment. Losing my better-half, ally, travel buddy, love of my life. My husband was again in another accident, twice now in less than a month.
Where do you start or where do I even begin to tell you what we had been through all those months?
On that particular Sunday, we followed our usual routine by turning on the TV to catch the Roland Garros Men's Finals, which were set to begin at 15:00. We thought we could manage to return in time, so first, we headed out to dispose of some glass in the central bin at DE HOEF Winkel Centrum. After that, we made our way to VOMAR, our favorite supermarket. As we entered, Martin walked ahead to grab a cart, and I quickly caught up with him. He had already made his way to the banana section, where he was busy selecting the best bananas for our week ahead. At that moment, two men passed by, also choosing bananas for themselves.
I intervened because at that moment, I sensed something was off; he seemed a bit confused. To ease the situation, I reassured him that I would go get bananas some other time. But he has a few in his hand and put it on the cart.
As we made our way to the “vleeswaren,” he suddenly expressed that he was feeling dizzy. Concerned for his well-being, I guided him toward a quieter part of the shop where he could close his eyes and breathe more easily. However, he continued to move forward, pushing the cart despite his discomfort. I quickly noticed that he was growing pale and agitated, his expression shifting to a blank stare that sent a wave of panic through me.
Instinctively, I reached out, grabbing him tightly while calling for help from anyone nearby. My immediate thought was to support his head as we both lost our balance and fell between the aisles of the fruit and vegetable section. Fighting back my tears, I felt a sense of relief when an elderly lady, who was built similarly to me, came to assist in keeping his head steady. In a desperate attempt to reach him, I leaned in and softly said, “Look at me, schatje,” but he didn’t respond.
My mind was swirling, grappling with the surreal chaos around me. I noticed someone on the phone, urgently calling an ambulance. A long-haired man approached me, trying to offer comfort as he reassured me, "We will take care of him, calm yourself." Despite his words, everything felt overwhelming and spun out of control. Tears streamed down my face as I caught sight of Martin; his mouth hung open, drool escaping as he struggled to breathe, and his hands curled into tight fists. My heart felt like it was breaking under the weight of his excruciating pain, and I couldn't help but sob uncontrollably.
In an attempt to steady myself, a boy led me to the canteen. As I entered, I spotted a young man on his break, who asked the other boy, "What happened?" I could hardly hear their exchange through my turmoil. They were all so kind, offering me water and support, insisting that I let them know if I needed anything. But as they eventually left me alone to gather my thoughts, my emotions remained tumultuous.
I closed my eyes, pleading with God for strength. I whispered a desperate plea, knowing that if it were His will to take Martin from me, I would have to accept it. Yet, deep down, I continued to implore Jesus, "Not this way, please!" Minutes ticked by as I tried to find some semblance of composure, wiping my cheeks dry while muffled sobs escaped me.
As I settled into my seat, my hands trembled as I dialed Ray’s number once again, my heart heavy with anxiety. When I spoke to her, tears streamed down my face as I pleaded, “Martin…please, we are...Vomar, I need your help.” Without hesitation, she reassured me, “We will be there, Ate Ann.” A wave of uncertainty washed over me as I contemplated calling my stepson Brendan; I knew he was with friends in Leiden, and I didn’t want to disrupt him. But I finally gathered the courage to call. “Bren, your father has had another accident. We’re at the VOMAR,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. He responded with calm urgency, “Please stay calm, Papa is going to be okay. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Someone from the canteen kindly picked me up and took me to meet the manager, who informed me that an ambulance had been called. When the ambulance driver arrived, he gently told me that Martin was stable. He opened the door to reveal Martin, who was half lying on the stretcher, and ushered me to the passenger seat to talk. I shared with him, “Just three weeks ago, he had an accident on the freeway near Bergen/Koedijk. We just had EEG and MRI tests, and now this…” The driver listened intently as he asked me for our address and some personal details to verify the information with my husband.
At the Noordwest Ziekenhuis, the ambulance staff transferred Martin’s care to an EHBO doctor and nurses, who proceeded to check him thoroughly again. They inserted a peripheral catheter—such a vital device that allows for medications, fluids, and even blood draws without the stress of multiple needle pricks. This little device provides crucial access and slows the whirlwind of medical procedures.
Eventually, Ronald and Ray arrived, along with Bren after he was picked up from the train station. When the two came in, I felt a flicker of relief, knowing they could be by Martin’s side as I stepped away to the waiting room with Ray. In that moment, surrounded by loved ones, I hoped for the best while my heart ached with worry..
After five hours, my love was finally discharged from the hospital. The doctors prescribed LEVETIRACETAM, a medication intended to help reduce the frequency of seizures and alleviate the attacks. It felt like a long wait, but their care and the new treatment plan offered a sense of hope for the future.
We drove to the Emergency Pharmacy in Alkmaar Noord. Brendan queued for meds while the rest of us walked in the parking lot. I was surprised to see Jeanette Riepma talking to my stepson when we entered the pharmacy.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to God and to everyone who assisted us during this journey. A special thank you goes to the dedicated personnel at Vomar, the shoppers who immediately responded to us, the ambulance workers who were there in our time of need, and the doctors and nurses who provided exceptional care at Noordwest Ziekenhuis. I also want to extend my appreciation to Brendan, Ronald, Ray, and Jeanette for their unwavering support. Your kindness and help have made a significant difference.
