We are a male couple from the Netherlands and have been a couple for more than 25 years.
After years of preparations, all our household goods were ready in a warehouse for emigration to France at the beginning of May 2020. We had just signed the final deed of sale for our house in Melle, Deux-Sévres. However, 4 days before our final departure, Rini was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Immediately we had to change our plans and look for a temporary home in the Netherlands. We did not yet have health insurance in France, so we had no choice but to start the treatment of Rini in the Netherlands. This meant that we had to stay in the Netherlands for 10 months for chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, after which there would be follow-up treatments. It turned out to be a tough journey. During the chemotherapy Rini became very ill, but as soon as he recovered we could go to France for 10 days to do odd jobs and make the house our own. We continued this treatment and job process until the end of April 2021. It was tough…..but we made it.