In two recent personal accounts published by the Dutch lifestyle platform Linda.nl, women have opened up about their experiences with serious cancer diagnoses. Actress and singer Loes Haverkort, known for her role in the Netflix series *De Eetclub*, discusses her battle with a brain tumor in an episode of the podcast *De Geknipte Gast*. Meanwhile, a columnist named Anna shares a detailed diary of her treatment for cervical cancer and the subsequent struggle to find a surrogate mother. Both accounts highlight the physical severity of the treatments and the psychological burden of confronting mortality at a relatively young age. [1]
Loes Haverkort, 45, revealed that she was diagnosed with cancer four months prior to the interview following seizures that led to the discovery of a tumor. She described waking up with a strange sensation in her diaphragm, feeling a need to lock her doors due to the fear of losing consciousness. The subsequent diagnosis of epilepsy served as the gateway to identifying the brain tumor. Haverkort noted that while a significant portion of the tumor has been removed, the condition is not fully curable. She expressed anger and frustration at being forced to contemplate her own death, stating, 'I don't want to think about death; I just want to live another twenty or thirty years, damn it.' Despite this, she acknowledged a desire to enjoy life intensely during her remaining time. [1]
Haverkort admitted that the experience has brought a deep sense of loneliness, despite having supportive family members. She described being in the midst of a grieving process, finding herself crying more frequently and processing the reality of her prognosis. Her husband and children provide emotional support, but the existential weight of not knowing how much time she has left remains a solitary burden. The interview was part of the popular Dutch podcast *De Geknipte Gast*, where host Özcan Akyol facilitated the conversation about her recovery and mental state.
In a separate narrative, a woman identified only as Anna recounted her journey through intensive treatment for cervical cancer, diagnosed in 2023. Her primary concern became the potential loss of her ability to become a mother, leading her to seek a surrogate. Her treatment regimen included twenty-five sessions of radiation, six rounds of chemotherapy, and three internal radiation treatments over six weeks. She described the physical degradation vividly, noting that her weight dropped to 46 kilograms and that food tasted metallic, making nutrition difficult. Friends and family visited, but the isolation of lying alone in a hospital bed heightened her anxiety. [1]
Anna detailed severe side effects, including persistent nausea and tinnitus, which she believes is linked to the chemotherapy drug cisplatin. She expressed anger at medical staff who suggested simple solutions like eating chips or wearing a reminder watch to ensure hydration and nutrition, contrasting their casual advice with her debilitating reality. When internal radiation treatments were discussed, requiring her to lie still for twenty-four hours with tubes placed around her uterus, she refused a spinal needle due to fear, opting for intravenous pain relief instead. The treatments left her emotionally exhausted, describing moments of intense fear and despair upon waking.
By September 10, 2023, Anna had completed all active treatments. While relieved, she felt physically depleted and emotionally empty, particularly regarding the unresolved question of motherhood. She acknowledged that carrying a child would no longer be possible but remained hopeful that a surrogate arrangement could eventually fulfill her dream. Both Haverkort’s and Anna’s stories illustrate the multifaceted crisis of a cancer diagnosis, where physical survival is intertwined with existential questions and the loss of planned future milestones.
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