Bente Van de Veerdonk was a vibrant and compassionate young woman from Oss, the Netherlands, whose life was filled with promise and determination. Born on December 28, 1997, she balanced her aspirations in childcare and marketing with her love for helping others. Her journey, however, took a tragic turn in early 2024, when she underwent nasal surgery to correct a deviated septum and reduce her turbinates. What was meant to be a routine procedure led to devastating complications, resulting in a condition known as Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS).
ENS left Bente grappling with severe nasal pain, chronic dryness, and a constant feeling of suffocation, disrupting her ability to breathe and sleep. Her condition deteriorated further as she faced unrelenting symptoms, including burning sensations, systemic pain, and sleep deprivation that often left her awake for days. Despite her efforts to find relief through consultations with specialists, alternative therapies, and the support of ENS forums, her symptoms only worsened.
Alongside ENS, Bente faced the compounded challenges of Crohn’s disease and thyroid imbalances, which added to her physical and emotional burden. In November 2024, just weeks before her 27th birthday, Bente’s battle ended tragically when she took her own life. She became the sixth known individual that year to lose their life to ENS, a condition that has left countless others suffering in silence.
Bente’s story is not just a tragedy; it is a call to action. It urges us to question the safety of invasive nasal procedures, hold the medical community accountable, and bring awareness to the suffering caused by ENS. Her memory serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and advocating for those in pain, ensuring that her struggle inspires change and prevents further loss.
https://ensmemorial.blogspot.com/2024/11/bente-van-de-veerdonk-november-2024.html