Freek Rikkerink, known from the music duo Suzan & Freek, has started life-extending medication. It was previously announced that the 32-year-old singer has metastatic lung cancer. “We have decided to join forces and fight for it.”
The medication is intended to inhibit the cancer as much as possible. “In a while, we will have tests in the hospital again to check whether the drugs are working. If that is the case, the situation can hopefully remain stable for a longer period of time,” the music duo writes on Instagram.
In the long term, the cancer cells become resistant to the drugs. “But there are people who have been able to continue with it for several years, so we are holding on to that for now! And in the meantime, we are hoping for a miracle.”
Rikkerink has gained a few kilos since starting the medication. “He feels physically a lot better again and he has finally been relieved of the cough (for which he went to the doctor ‘for a moment’) after months.”
Last week, the couple announced that Rikkerink is terminally ill. The duo has therefore stopped all work. “Surrounded by our dear friends and family, who have not let us go for a moment, we have tried last week to give the hard blow a place, and together find a direction in this bizarre situation. It all still feels so unreal and frightening.”
Yet the couple is trying to stay positive. “And above all, not to stop living,” they write. “We have made music together every day so far and that feels so good. We are far from finished!”
The duo also shared last week that they are expecting their first child. “Fortunately, the pregnancy is going well, so we are focusing on that as much as possible now, our biggest dream!”