‘When children ask about my condition, it feels a bit vulnerable. But I always tell them.’

Brain tumor

When Keshon was three years old, his parents noticed that his physical development was different from other children. He began to walk differently, a little strangely. His feet and legs had less strength, and sometimes he would fall over. Mother Loudis: ‘We took him to the family doctor, but it wasn't until they did a scan that they saw a tumor in his brain. Brain surgery followed to drain the cerebrospinal fluid. It turned out that the tumor was benign. Since 2017, we have been here often, because a year after the surgery, the tumor was found to have grown. It is treated with chemotherapy. The schedule varies, but for the past year we have been here every six weeks. Based on the results of a six-monthly MRI, a new treatment schedule is agreed upon.’

Writing talent

Keshon loves to talk. He tells the nurses about his port-a-cath (‘I'm not talented, mind you’). And for those who want to know, he talks enthusiastically about his passions. His parents noticed when he was a toddler that his language development was very rapid. And even now they notice that Keshon has a very large vocabulary: ‘I want to be a famous writer! I write stories on my laptop every day. When I wake up in the morning, I often have a story in my head. I like to do crossover stories: I start with a cartoon character from Paw Patrol and let him have adventures. After school, I often continue writing, or play with Lego, or cook with my dad. My favorite dish is frikasti. I invented it myself. It's really delicious: a frikadel with a kind of roll around it.’

Talking about it

Keshon: ‘When I'm done with my treatment, we always come here and do something fun. I find it very cozy and comfortable in the Máxima Center. And the doctresses – if that's a word – are very nice. I like playing drums in the music studio and air hockey. And in a few months, when I have a break, I would like to go to St. Maarten to see my grandpa, grandma and aunts again.’

‘So I have a brain tumor,’ he continues. ‘I think cancer is a bit of a big word. It scares people. But I think it's good to talk about it. When kids ask what I have, it makes you feel vulnerable. But I always tell. Sometimes I'll stand on the chair in front of the class and tell everybody how I'm doing and why I have trouble with gymnastics and balance and why I ride a tricycle. I think that's important and that's part of life.’