Hinne wrote at some length about Wine’s prolonged bout with Meniere’s Disease, the symptoms of which are ringing in the ears, variable loss of hearing, episodes of vertigo, nausea, vomiting, etc. Wine suffered most from this affliction between 1935 and 1942. She was often dizzy and had fainting spells. Many a time, Hinne had to help her get into and out of bed.

They were referred to a specialist, a Dr. Martini, which meant traveling to the City of Groningen. This man considered it best that Wine be admitted into the Roman Catholic Hospital, located on the Hereweg in Groningen. There she would be examined by another specialist, a Dr. Verbeek.

This eminent doctor diagnosed that Wine’s condition was caused by a tumor, and he suggested that her cranial cavity be opened to remove the tumor! But Dr. Martini had another opinion and vehemently disagreed with this dangerous procedure. Dr. Verbeek, however, insisted and that is how a date was scheduled for this serious operation.

On the Lord’s Day prior to Wine’s operation, Hinne took the kids - Cees and Truus - to the “Gereformeerde Kerk” (Reformed Church) in Winschoten. Sitting in their familiar seats they heard Rev. Berghuis pray fervently for Wine, asking the Lord that He would guide the hands of the doctors and nurses during the operation and that her life be spared. Hearing Rev. Berghuis pray openly for their mother, Cees and Truus began to weep uncontrollably. Hinne stood up, took them by the hand, led them to the outside, and went home.

On the day before the operation, Hinne and his sister-in-law, Anje van der Molen, went to the hospital. There they met with Dr. Verbeek who requested permission to proceed with the operation. Permission was given, but then a drama unfolded because they overheard the two specialists enter into a heated argument about the wisdom of doing this procedure on Wine.

Suddenly, Dr. Martini appeared and told them abruptly that the operation had been canceled. Recovering from this shock, they realized that Wine had to be told, too. She burst out crying but calmed down after Dr. Martini came into her room to lift her spirits. He explained that the brain operation as proposed by Dr. Verbeek often resulted in the patients becoming severely brain-damaged and that some had died.

Visiting a brain specialist

The next day Wine was home again in Winschoten and the congregation was informed. However, more consultations followed. This time, they were referred to a Professor Kwiks, a brain specialist in the City of Utrecht and a date for an appointment was set. After thoroughly examining her, the professor said to Wine: “Oh, how fortunate you are that they did not operate on you!”

Dr. Kwiks had come to the same conclusion as Dr. Martini. He told Hinne and Wine that Meniere’s Disease, more often than not, is a temporary condition. Usually one loses hearing in one ear, but that is actually a good sign. He said that, in time, the other symptoms would disappear . Just be patient, Wine!

At his request, Dr. Kwiks also examined Hinne’s ears. Hinne told him that he had been treated for a running ear by a Dr. Boonakker, who would drip alcohol into the ear cavity. This usually helped, but Dr. Kwiks advised Hinne not to let anyone fool around with his precious ears anymore. Indeed, Hinne wrote, in later years his ears stopped giving him more problems.

A memorable day

While they were in the grand City of Utrecht, a surprise awaited them. All of a sudden Hinne recognized two members of his family in the crowd, namely, Tante Trijntje, his eldest sister, and her daughter. They had been to see a doctor as well. Hinne and Wine hadn’t seen them for years. To celebrate they went to a restaurant where everyone ordered “uitsmijters” - a Dutch delicacy consisting of bread, veal and fried eggs.

On that same day in Utrecht, the Dutch government declared a general mobilization. Holland was at war with Germany! Hinne did not remember much about the trip back to Winschoten. The train schedules were getting mixed up. Dutch soldiers everywhere....

During the years 1941/1942 someone from Terschelling came to live with the family in Winschoten. That person was Aafje, daughter of Hinne’s brother Herman, the butcher. She offered to take care of Wine, because she needed a job to avoid being sent to Germany. In that, she was successful.

Early in 1943, Wine went to see the family doctor and asked to be examined.. She was then 41 years of age. And, believe it or not, he told Wine she was expecting! Wine had not expected this and burst out crying.

Two views of the 'Martini Tower,'
famous landmark in the City of Groningen
(May/2008).

Shortly thereafter she visited Dr. Martini, the specialist in Groningen. When he was told Wine was expecting he couldn’t believe it. Hinne recorded what Dr. Martini said: “Mevrouw (Mrs.). De Jong, believe it or not, this may be a positive development towards healing your Meniere’s Disease.” Upon which Wine replied: “You should have told us that earlier, because we were ‘benauwd’ (afraid) to have more children!”

Indeed, after the births of Jaap in 1943, and Hennie in 1945, Wine’s condition steadily improved. Her deafness remained but the other symptoms of her Meniere’s Disease virtually disappeared all together.