“Not to Get Small: Myrthe’s last request to Paul de Leeuw”

Myrthe receives bad news shortly after the previous episode: a check-up shows that the leukemia is back and sadly enough it is no longer possible to make her better. Paul pays Myrthe a visit in the hospital, but has received an important instruction from Myrthe in advance: the conversation must be as positive as possible.

Myrthe explains that she went to the hospital for a check-up the day after the last episode. “We already knew that the immune system did not grow very well, but we thought it was due to medication. Because I take quite a bit of medication that can have side effects. Then we were told that they had found a group of abnormal cells and it turned out that to be the old leukemia.”

There is no chance of recovery. “A third transplant is no longer possible,” says Myrthe emotionally. Myrthe’s mother explains to Paul that it is very special that Myrthe can now speak to him and his camera team so well. “She has been so very sick, she couldn’t bear us and her brothers around her anymore and has had a few very sick days.”

The first discussions about the funeral have already been held. “Myrthe wants a lot of color and flowers”, her mother explains. Because Paul sees that the conversation is tiring for Myrthe, he decides to end it. “I think I’ll see you again then, right? Do you have anything else you’d like to tell me?” Myrthe then says that she wants her father to ask Paul a question on her behalf. “She would like you to sing a song at her funeral,” he responds.

Paul is clearly moved by the request and doesn’t have to think twice about it. “Yes I do, of course! Do you want to hear a special song?” Myrthe says she would like Paul Adele to sing. “Do you want me to sing it for you first?” he asks her. “No. I find it complicated when someone long will live sings to me, so never mind that I want this with me.”

Don’t Get Small can be seen every week on Tuesday at 21.25 on NPO 1