On the occasion of the 21st Day against Cancer on October 15, Pedro Elias told Michèle Cuvelier at Studio Brussel about his son Rover (4). He has leukemia and will have his ‘final exam’ within a few months.
–
“Rover is doing well. We have just had a nice holiday. I saw him sprint on the beach in Portugal, just like all the kids. That did him and me good, ”said Elias. “In cancer terms, Rover is in ‘maintenance’. That means that he gets chemo in pill form at home, so it is no longer that difficult period that we experienced in Gasthuisberg. And that means that we are now just working towards a final exam. Which I am very afraid of, but actually that is not necessary. ”
That final exam is a bone marrow biopsy that allows the doctors to see if Rover is cancer-free. That final exam is due in a few months.
Common sense
“The most important thing, I think, is that he doesn’t realize it all. And that he can just be a boy who has to go to school, because he has missed a lot of school. So every day I drop him off at school, I’m super happy. ”
What has that diagnosis done to you as a family, asked Michèle Cuvelier. “That is devastating. If your child has cancer. Then I hoped I had it and not him. It goes so far that you sometimes feel guilty when you look at your child. Even though I can’t help it. We are doing our best. I am very proud of my wife, his brother and sister. I think we as a family do that very well. We are very nice to each other. We continue to believe in it. I also think a lot about all other people who have cancer. Let’s all be kind to one another. And enjoy life while it lasts. It sounds silly, but it goes so fast. ”
The corona virus also makes the situation a bit more difficult for Rover. After all, more attention needs to be paid. Elias hopes that “a little more common sense will emerge”.
– .
