‘It’s hard to explain to people. That can feel lonely sometimes.’
Mother Shirley Lynn shares: ‘It all started when Bradley discovered a small lump behind his ear while roughhousing with his father. Our family doctor thought it was a swollen lymph node, possibly the start of a throat infection. But Bradley did not complain of a sore throat or a cold at all, which we found strange. Not long after, he developed bruises and small spots all over his body. That week we saw two other family doctors as well, and they also thought it was a common viral infection. But when Bradley became increasingly tired, started seeing double, and began vomiting, we knew something was seriously wrong.’
A different world
A resident at the after-hours primary care clinic shared the family’s concerns and decided to consult a pediatrician by phone. ‘We were advised to come to the hospital as quickly as possible. When we arrived, we were already expected and guided to the right department. At that point, as parents, we did not yet realize it could be cancer. Bradley was the first to think of it. He said in the treatment room: “I am so afraid I have cancer.” As if he sensed it.’
The doctors confirmed what Bradley feared. There was urgency. Bradley’s blood counts turned out to be so high that he was taken by ambulance to the Princess Máxima Center right away. Shirley Lynn says: ‘When we arrived there, it felt like we had stepped into a different world. Everything seemed so unreal, I only knew it from television. I clearly remember another mother walking up to me, hugging me, and saying: “I know exactly what you are going through.” She recognized that it was our first moment at the Máxima Center. A bizarre, but very meaningful moment.’
Heavily pregnant
At the Máxima Center, Bradley receives his definitive diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, with a high risk of serious complications due to his elevated blood counts. At that time, Shirley Lynn is 34 weeks pregnant with her third child. ‘It sounds very harsh, but at the moment of the diagnosis, I suddenly did not want to be pregnant anymore. I had to be there for Bradley. How could I do that with a big belly, and soon a baby?’
Four weeks later, Shirley Lynn gives birth to a daughter, exactly one month after the diagnosis. ‘I still remember that during labor, I was arranging Bradley’s medication. Such an unreal experience: giving birth to one child while being afraid of losing another. The sadness about Bradley’s situation overshadowed everything, even the joy of the birth of his little sister. Six days after giving birth, I was already walking around the Máxima Center again. To this day, we have not had the chance to adjust to life as a family of five.’
Lack of understanding
Some people close to them find it difficult to deal with the situation, Shirley Lynn notices. ‘It is probably discomfort or lack of understanding, but sometimes it feels like we are on our own. We both run our own businesses, we have a baby, a son with cancer, and then there is also our six-year-old daughter. To the outside world, it may seem like things are manageable, but in reality we live with uncertainty every day, and it is almost impossible to keep everything going. It is hard to explain to people who cannot see what life looks like behind our front door. That can feel lonely.’
At home at the Máxima Center
Because of Bradley’s treatment, the family is sometimes at the Máxima Center more often than at home. ‘Fortunately, the Máxima Center now feels like home to us as well. We like being there. The care team is kind and thinks along with us, we feel seen. For Bradley himself, it is a double feeling. On the one hand, it is the place where he receives treatment, which is not always pleasant. On the other hand, it is the very best place for him to be in his situation, because this is where he can get better.’
Getting better is the goal Bradley faces with every treatment. Shirley Lynn says: ‘He gets through it so bravely. He rarely complains and makes the best of every day. The chemotherapy is very tough, and still he goes to the Máxima Center with good courage every time for the next cycle. He wants nothing more than to go back to school as soon as possible, go fishing, and play soccer with his friends. He knows that the treatment brings him closer to that goal.’
A point on the horizon
July 14, 2025 is a date that is already circled in bold. On that day, Bradley hopes to complete treatment, exactly two years after it began. Shirley Lynn says: ‘It is our point on the horizon, a day that cannot come soon enough. It is also a special date, because our youngest daughter will turn two that day. Last year, the treatment process started around her birth, and since then she and Bradley have formed a very special bond. Hopefully, next year we can close this chapter on her birthday. That will be a special moment for all of us.’
Also read:
- ‘Remember that it’s okay to ask for help, whether it’s practical or to share what’s on your mind.’Max (4) has leukemia, and his baby brother Melle always comes along to the Máxima Center. Their parents, Maartje and Mario, and their children are a close-knit family. For them, the Máxima Center feels like a place where not only Max, but the entire family is seen and supported.
- ‘My mother’s intuition told me something wasn’t right. Sem had COVID, but also leukemia.’Sem (3) has leukemia. His mother Miranda (35) talks about the road to the diagnosis, those first days at the Princess Máxima Center, and how she tries to stay grounded as a mother. ‘Trust your instincts, write things down, and take time for yourself now and then. That way you can be the best version of yourself for your child and the rest of your family.’
- ‘Sometimes I try to explain to my classmates how I feel, but they don’t understand the pain.’Froukje (15) was two years old when she was diagnosed with leukemia. Although that was a long time ago, she now feels more than ever how her illness still affects her. She doesn’t always feel understood. Together with her mother, she shares her story.