Extraavsnitt: Vandra med Henrik tillsammans med Barncancerfonden

·24 min·2 clips

Henrik's mother leaves a tearful voicemail saying his brother Johannes has a brain tumor as he stands outside a karaoke bar.

This episode of Vandra med Henrik is a sponsored collaboration with Barncancerfonden and their Walk of Hope event. Henrik announces his own Walk of Hope from August 29-31, where participants can donate 100 SEK by clicking a link in the podcast description. He begins his walk on Kungsgatan in Stockholm, explaining the location's personal significance. Henrik recalls being in his early twenties, working as a program manager at SVT, and celebrating with new friends at Golden Hits karaoke bar when he received a voicemail from his mother. His mother was crying as she delivered the news that his younger brother Johannes, age 13, had a brain tumor. The world seemed to stop for Henrik amidst the noise of his friends' joy. He describes feeling numb and not sharing the news with his new acquaintances. Henrik reflects on his initial reaction to Johannes' symptoms, which included staring eyes due to dryness caused by the tumor pressing on his tear ducts. At the time, Henrik felt irritated and embarrassed, a sentiment he now regrets. Johannes was admitted to Akademiska Hospital in Uppsala for treatment involving chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Henrik visited him there, noting the tubes, lack of hair, and the medical port. He discusses the family's emotional state, including his own conflicting feelings of wanting to escape back to his life in Stockholm and feelings of guilt. Henrik remembers the radiation therapy, where Johannes wore a custom-molded mask to immobilize his head. A poignant memory involves hearing a woman scream in the hospital corridor, a sound that signaled another family's worse tragedy. He also shares an anecdote about his father unexpectedly meeting his childhood idol, Roger Moore, in the hospital bathroom. Throughout, Henrik credits medical research for saving Johannes' life and that of his sister Erika, who also had health issues. He concludes by reiterating the invitation to join the Walk of Hope and returns to his starting point at Hötorget.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Somna med Henrik