The Katwijk disease
“The Katwijk disease (officially: D-CAA) entered our lives when my father Louis suffered a brain haemorrhage,” says Nicole. That was sixteen years ago now, she is fifteen. “After a few weeks we received confirmation that it was indeed the Katwijk disease.”
A difficult time begins for Nicole, her mother and her half-sisters, with whom she shares the same mother. “My father recovered miraculously well from his first hemorrhage, but that changed in 2009. The hemorrhage permanently affected his vision, he was slower and suffered from aphasia, which made it difficult to have substantive conversations with him.”
Insurance and mortgage
The realization dawns that Nicole herself may also be a carrier. “That chance was 50 percent, although I may not have fully realized that as a teenager. It lurked in my mind. I wanted to be tested, but because the disease only manifests itself later in life and there is nothing you can do about it, there was no need to immediately start the testing process. A doctor advised that you first have everything arranged in terms of insurance, mortgage and such things. That never left me, so I waited.”
The years pass. Nicole now owns a house. People around her get into relationships, get married and have children. “My father didn’t know he had the disease when I was born. I knew I might have the disease and wanted to deal with it responsibly. The Katwijk disease influences my choice for children.” The urgency to know what is going on is increasing. “Of course my opinion may change over time, but it will play a role.”
2023-11-01 13:04:34
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