“Over the past few days she has done the last things that were very important to her,” Zoë’s mother tells Tim. Zoë also went to work to say goodbye to her colleagues. She still celebrates her last birthday with family and friends. That is also the last time she sees most of the people. “Everything is about saying goodbye.”
Then Tim walks into the living room where Zoë is in bed. “This is the bed. The farewell bed,” she says. “I don’t think it will last very long. I think it’s a matter of weeks.” She says that the doctor also indicates that there is ‘no point in doing a scan’ of her lungs. This is only to see whether a treatment is effective. “Honey, I don’t think you can even come to the hospital in ten weeks,” Zoë quotes. That’s when she realizes they’re “talking about weeks.” There are also more and more times when she thinks about euthanasia. She says she doesn’t panic about that. “I see it as redemption.”
Zoë continues: “I’m not yet mentally where I am physically. That makes the situation very difficult.” She is not yet ready for death, but tries to let it go by making books with memories. “I still have a few things that need to happen in my head before I’m ready.”
“I was just getting in the car here and then I thought: this is the last time you are going on trips this month,” says Tim. “I’m really balancing on a very thin wire.”
Tim fulfills one of Zoë’s last wishes. They would still smoke a cigarette together. Zoë is helped outside, and they enjoy a quick drink together. “Yes, I really wanted that,” says Zoë. “If this is your last wish with me, then I’ll take it!” says Tim, who normally doesn’t smoke. Afterwards Zoë wants a photo with Tim.
What do you say to someone who is dying? Zoë has an answer to that. “Good luck to you and I hope everything in your next life will be beautiful.” And that’s exactly what Tim says to her. Then they give each other one last hug. “Thanks for everything,” says Zoe. “It was a good time.” “Have fun on the other side,” Tim continues.
Ten days after Tim’s visit, Zoë died on March 4, 2023 from bone cancer. She turned 28 years old.
Over my dead body can be seen every Tuesday from 9:30 PM on BNNVARA on NPO1.
2024-02-13 21:44:46
#Tim #Hofman #goodbye #Zoë #Corpse
