Title of the lecture: ",but still…"

Op Myne Schildery,
Toen Govaert Flinck my uitschilderde,
in het jaer MDCLIII

On My Portrait
As Govaert Flinck painted me
in the year MDCLIII

Ick sluit van daegh een ring van zesmael ellef jaeren,
Today I close a ring of six times eleven years,

En zie myn hooft besneeuwt, en tel myn gryze haeren,
And look my snowy head, and count my greyish hear,

Oock zonder glazen oogh, in deze schildery,
Although without my glasses on this painting,

En noch ontvonckt myn hart in lust tot poëzy;
But still my heart in lust for poetry;

Terwyl ick Lucifer zyn treurrol leer' volspelen,
While I learn Lucifer how to fulfil his bitter role,

En met den blixem sla, op hemelsche tooneelen,
And turn him down in this celestial theatre,

Ten schrick en spiegel van de Staetzucht, en de Nyt.
The fear and mirror of the Thirst for Power and Envy.

Wat is myn ouderdom? Een roock, een damp, geen tyt.
What is my age? Some smoke, some vapour, no time left.

Madam Rector Magnificus of Maastricht University,
Excellency’s,

Ladies and gentlemen of the Executive Board of the University and the Board of the Faculty Health, Medicine and Life Sciences and the Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Highly esteemed, very esteemed en esteemed colleagues,

Dear students,

Family and friends,

Ladies and gentlemen, the words taken from the poem ‘On my portait’, written by Joost van den Vondel, at the occasion of the presentation of his portrait painted by Govaert Flinck, meanwhile 366 years old, are from today on also applicable on my professional life,

but still…

I hope that the second part of the last sentence will take some time to become my reality. On September 1st, 1996 I was appointed as extraordinary professor of Neuro-Urology at this University, than still indicated as University Limburg. This was the first such professorial chair in the Netherlands and even in Europe. On October 1st of the same year, I started my clinical activities, and on October 31st, 1997 I presented 100 meters from here my inaugural speech entitled:

Only just……but still

One year later I was upgraded, in turbulent circumstances, as professor of Urology and was appointed chairman of the department of Urology at what was then called the Academic Hospital Maastricht. For 15 years I was chair of the clinical department of Urology, and was also responsible for the specialist training program. Till today I was professor at the University Maastricht, but hope to be conferred today Emeritus Professor of Urology.

After 23 years and 9 days working in Maastricht it is time to look back, not with nostalgic sentiments or as Marcel Proust expressed it 'A la recherche du temps perdu' (In search of lost time), but to allow for myself, but hopefully also for you, based on the past to look at future perspectives in Urology.

I hope that my words will not sound as in the letter “J’accuse’ (I accuse) by Emile Zola at the occasion of the Dreyfuss affair,

…but still!

My time in Maastricht was not easy, nor professionally nor personally. The former dean of the faculty of Medicine professor Arie Nieuwenhuyse-Kruseman warned me during my introductory meeting with him. He told me: ‘Your task will be like ice skating on deep-pile carpet’. He was right!

Indeed, it was not an easy trip, no quiet walk, but an adventure through tumultuous waters, a struggle for life, even sometimes a battle for values to be respected and ideals to be fulfilled. From time to time I have been reading the aphorism by Dag Hammarskjold the former secretary- general of the United Nations. His advice as mentioned in his impressive posthumous diary 'Markings’ was of great value in difficult moments.

“Never, for the sake of peace and quiet, deny your own experience or convictions”

My final judgement on my years in Maastricht is not totally positive,

but still…

it was a fascinating part of my professional career, sometimes it felt rather a racetrack, occasionally a rollercoaster.

On this special day I would to thank at first all those people that experienced with me during the good and not so good moments of my professional and personal life, and indeed sometimes shared suffering. I thank my family and my friends. I will not name names, you are too numerous, but know that you were and are important, not only during the professional part of my life but also during the not so professional aspects. Every single one of you is dear to me.

Thank you very much!

That was enough egomania. Back to business but not as usual!

I will now reflect on the four key aspects of a professorship in Urology, being patient care, teaching, research, and finally what generally is indicated as management.

I am going to be critical. You are warned. However it is not my intention to be personal. Firstly, my criticism is aimed at structures, but these are supported by individuals. I do not target them, but anyone who feels concerned, can take the message and is free to do something with it.

Please forgive me if I would hurt somebody. I promise that this evening I will read the poem “Evening Song’ written in 1921 by the Flemish poet Alice Nahon:

‘t is goed in ‘t eigen hert te kijken
It’ s good to look into my heart

Nog even voor het slapen gaan,
A little while before I sleep,

Of ik van dageraad tot avondtyt
If I between the morning and the night

Geen enkel hert heb zeer gedaan,
No single heart have hurt,

Of ik geen ogen heb doen schreien,
Nor any eyes made weep,

Geen weemoed op een wezen lei.
No one my wistfulness imposed.

Of ik aan liefdeloze mensen If I have whispered
een woordeke van liefde zei. a word of love to loveless people.

En vind ik in het huis mijns herten
And if I find in my hearts home

Dat ik één droefenis genas,
that I have cured one single sadness,

Dat ik mijn armen heb gewonden
That my arms embraced

Rondom één hoofd, dat eenzaam was...
A single lonely head…

Dan voel ik, op mijn jonge lippen
Than my young lips will feel

Die goedheid lijk een avond-zoen...
That kindness as an evening kiss…

‘t is goed in ‘t eigen hert te kijken
It’s good to look into my heart

en zo z’n ogen toe te doen.
and so to close my eyes.

The first aspect of a professorship in a clinical specialty concerns patient care.

My career in Maastricht started at the request of my predecessor professor Janknegt, the first professor of Urology at this University. He asked me to leave my comfortable position in the Academic Hospital St. Radboud in Nijmegen to join the staff of his department to develop patient care and research in the field of Neuro-Urology, and to integrate these activities in the best suited environment within the Faculty of Medicine. Obviously our place was in what was called the “Brain and Behaviour Research Institute”. Soon it became evident that at that time for most neuroscientists the control of the urinary bladder was a bridge too far in view of the anatomical distance between the bladder and the brain. I will tell you more about this dilemma when I discuss our research program.

Also the development of a clinical centre of excellence in Neuro-Urology was not so easy. Historically the neighbouring neuro-revalidation centre in Hoensbroek was the exclusive domain of our urological colleagues in Heerlen, and hence a Rubicon not to pass. With the support of professor Jan Carpay, former director of the Board of the Academic Hospital, and the enthusiasm of professor Cor Baeten, colorectal surgeon and Bary Berghmans, physiotherapist, we were able, as one of the first in the Netherlands, to organise a pelvic care centre that was fully integrated in the existing hospital structures.

However it became obvious that quality had to be a priority, as strict budgetary limitations and capacity restrictions reduced the number of patients we could see and treat.

But still…

soon the specific and sometimes unique expertise attracted numerous patients with complex problems from all over the Netherlands, but also from abroad. We focused, with the help of Medtronic and especially Mr. Rob ten Hoedt, on the application of different techniques using electrical stimulation to restore functions in the small pelvis. This pioneering work has put Maastricht on the world map as a centre with international recognition in the field of neuromodulation for bladder and bowel problems.

With the help of dr. Gosse Oosterhof, an experienced urologist that joined our team coming from Nijmegen, we were able to develop an academic preferential referral centre, following the latest quality criteria.

However it was rather disappointing that the financial structures of the Dutch Healthcare system did not allow healthy entrepreneurship, that would enable lucrative extra clinical production in order to support additional research. Later when Independent Health Care Centres were developed, also in the Netherlands, our initiatives in Maastricht were blocked because of monodisciplinary short-sidedness, although other academic centres initiated a fruitful cooperation that still exists.

However, the multidisciplinary cooperation in the field of functional problems in the small pelvis as it is promoted nowadays has major limitations and is not cost-effective. Therefore I would rather argue for a pluridisciplinary cooperation. This would allow different clinical specialists that master all types of pathology and therapy of problems in the small pelvis to work together on an equal basis. This more holistic vision will be more cost-effective, and will not necessitate a solemn mass with an urologist, a gynaecologist and a colorectal surgeon, but a specialist that masters the different surgical techniques.

But still…

we were able, although all limitations and inhibitions with great enthusiasm, to do ‘good’ things for the numerous patients for whom Maastricht was a ‘last medical resort’.

Therefore I would like to thank all patients that put their trust in us all these years.

Dear patients, the increasing administration and also financial pressure makes it increasingly difficult to deliver optimal care for you, and definitely at the right moment and under optimal circumstances. Be vigilant and fight for your health.

But still…

it remains a unique privilege to help people with sometimes life threatening problems. Dear patients that I have operated, I wish you all the best. The staff urologists of the department of Urology of what is now called the Maastricht University Medical Centre+ will take over the care for you. I know that my colleagues Gommert van Koeveringe, Daisy Vrijens and Martijn Smits will guarantee the functional and neuro-urological care you need.

This moment also allows me to thank everybody that facilitated patient care during the past 23 years: my colleagues, within but also outside the department of Urology, the nurses and supporting personnel from the outpatient department, the function room, the theatre complex, the day care centre and definitely the wards. Your work and your devotion is not enough appreciated. Hopefully it will be recognized soon that all those that are in direct contact with patients, are a minority in the hospital organisation,

but still…

the most important element.

I would also like to thank the administrative personnel. All those years you were a loyal and efficient support, and an important element in the wellbeing of the department.

For 15 years I had the privilege to be chairman of the department. Seven years ago I decided to pass the baton, and to start again as a regular urologist within the same department. This decision was not welcomed outside the department and this is rather an euphemism,

but still…

I am happy that the last years of my career I could dedicate myself to patient care again. One can question anyhow if the chairmanship of a clinical department from appointment till retirement is still reasonable, even more in view of the increase of retirement age.

But still…

it is a pleasure to see that, unless all limitations, the expectations as formulated by the Nomination Committee for the chair of Neuro-Urology has been fulfilled and that the department of Urology in Maastricht

perhaps only just, but still…

is recognised as a leading centre for neuro-urological problems.

Recently it was not possible any longer to guarantee that the department of Urology in Maastricht would function as a general and global unit for urological care. The specific geographic situation of Maastricht, leads to some isolation and perhaps limits our dreams. Professor Debruyne, emeritus professor of Urology at the University of Nijmegen, and one of my teachers in Urology, entitled
his inaugural lecture ‘Too small for big dreams?’. Hence with a question mark. Perhaps Maastricht is ‘Too small for big dreams!, thus with an exclamation point, definitely as an independent urological unit. Therefore the future of the department of Urology of the MUMC+ in my view is to seek cooperation with another university department. In such case the department of Urology at the Radboud University Medical Centre would be the obvious partner. As the Belgian national motto states: Union is strength. Sorry for this symptom of Belgian patriotism.

But still…

I am convinced that survival for the department in Maastricht within the academic world will only be possible thanks to structural but well balanced cooperation without taboos nor prerogatives.

The smaller scale of the department of Urology at the Maastricht UMC+ offers unique possibilities to focus on specific expertise, grounded by expert urologists. They exist. Members of the Board of the Maastricht UMC+, please cherish them!

The second aspect of my professorship was teaching. For 15 years I combined the responsibility for the training of urologists with the chairmanship of the department. For the past 7 years I mainly focused on the teaching of bachelor medical students. To teach and to train young people and to learn them the tips and tricks of our profession is a very nice aspect of a clinical professorship.

But still…

the past 23 years a lot has changed in terms of training. My feelings have been expressed by the ‘In memoriam’ at the occasion of the prematurely passing away in 2014 of Nico Oud, former trainer in surgery at the Amsterdam OLVG hospital. A colleague wrote:

‘…the training changed progressively from the master-mate structure with little administration to a bureaucratic, skills-based learning, something Nico did not feel so comfortable with…’

I share the same feeling and it still has to be proven that the new model of training finally will deliver better specialist doctors. The dictatorship of the evidence has suppressed to some degree the empiric knowledge and definitely increased the administrative burden. Training became less personal en ticking off competencies seems to be more important than appreciation of the centuries old master-mate aspects. The far reaching subspecialisation within Urology necessitates in my view a drastic change in the curriculum. The general urologist, with her or his holistic view remains essential but has to work together with superspecialists that deal with specific medical and surgical aspects in Urology.

But still…

the individual contact with enthusiastic and motivated, but also critical specialist doctors in training, is a daily challenging but also pleasant task. A bit more attention for the interpersonal aspects of transmission of knowledge during medical training, would be fair as still 60% of our practice is not evidence based.

Next aspect of a professorship is research.

As I indicated earlier on, my first task originally was to set up fundamental research into the normal and pathological physiology of the lower urinary tract and by extension the neuronal mechanisms of the brain-bladder axis. The strict organisation and financing within the research institutes made it initially very difficult to get a structural position within the Brain and Behaviour Research Institute. Every newcomer had to share the financial support with already recognised groups of researchers, and therefore we were only condoned during the first years. Finally it was the ’Maastricht Alzheimer mouse’ that saved us. One day a brain researcher explained that the Alzheimer mouse presented an abnormal micturition pattern, and this fact allowed us to join a formal research group. For years we were working without any financial support from the Institute,

but still,

thanks to the support of the former deans of the Faculty of Medicine professors Kootstra en Hillen, we got access to laboratory facilities. However, our fundamental research was only facilitated when the Institute was transformed into of the School for Mental Health and NeuroScience, and when professor Steinbusch was appointed as director. We could never obtain methodological nor statistical support,

but still,

the fundamental research became productive. Together with increasing clinical research, this resulted in total in 22 dissertations and more than 450 publications in peer reviewed journals.
I will miss to work with researchers and to follow their scientific development. Ladies and gentlemen for whom I acted as promoter, thanks for all your efforts and the years of fruitful collaboration. It was a great pleasure to support you to acquire the highest scientific title.

But still…

it was and is disappointing that we could not promote structural collaboration within the Netherlands between the different research centres active within urological research. As chairman of the group of professors of Urology I tried hard to set up such cooperation, but failed. In my dreams I even proposed a name: URINE (Urological Research In the Netherlands). My successor as chairman of the group of professors in Urology professor Chris Bangma from Rotterdam, embraced the idea and still tries to establish such cooperation. Chris, I sincerely hope that you will succeed. Again I will cite the Belgian national motto: Union is strength.

Although perhaps for you the Dutch motto

‘Je maintiendrai’

is better suited.

And finally the fourth leg of the professorial chair, definitely in combination with the chairmanship of a clinical department: management.

I have always seen this part of my job as an essential prerequisite to facilitate the demands of a department, but not the most attractive element. Therefore I can feel for the sentence of the Dutch writer Benno Bernard:

“woe on the people that let themselves guide by managers. Managers squander any state of civilisation that does not bring in money.”

Should we consider managers hence as a necessary evil? Definitely not. Also in our hospital good managers exist, that serve the primary process in an excellent way, and do not consider management as an organized form of self-glorification. For years I worked in a very constructive way with Mrs Inge ter Laak. For me she is the prototype of the helpful manager that facilitates necessary and useful activities within the hospital system. Inge, many thanks for your valuable support.

Also at the level of superior management a contra productive attitude was sometimes governing, and this had, even at some point, dramatic consequences. The following sentence by Thomas More, although now more than 500 years old, is still valid as of today:

"Where everything is only measured by its monetary value, there is no justice nor social welfare."

Over the years I was witness of several management initiated initiatives with engaging names as azM Move, Lean en Six Sigma pathways with Yellow belt certificates, courses at the attraction park the Efteling and many more. These names stimulate my natural distrust for programs that need English terms to be attractive and I never could experience their ultimate usefulness. To implement a bit more common sense would, in my view, be much more efficient and definitely cheaper. A hospital is not a Toyota factory and patients are much more than clients.

But still…

over the years I enjoyed working with some visionary managers, that supported the department of Urology. I especially would like to mention Mr Lou Brans Brabant and Mr Servé Kuijer. They were a valuable and warm support also at the personal level when my position was threatened. Dear Lou, dear Servé, thank you very much for all you did, and with the medieval poet and mystica Hadewijch I address you:

Vaert wel ende levet scone!
Do well and live a beautiful life!

At the beginning of my lecture I indicated that my career in Maastricht sometimes was a rollercoaster, a struggle, fortunately only with words,

but still...

a struggle for values and principles to be respected, and to allow me to keep my conscience clear.

But still…

When I look back at the past 23 years in Maastricht, and as paraphrase on Shakespeare’s aphorism

“What’s past is prologue”

I can say : thanks for this life.

Not to become melancholic, I will not continue with my own words, but let you listen to the wonderful song “Gracias a la vida”, written and set to music by the Chilean poet and activist Violetta Parra, on this recording performed by the fantastic Argentinian singer Mercedes Sosa:

Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto,
Thanks to life, which has given me so much,
Me dio dos luceros, que cuando los abro,
It gave me two eyes, that when I open them,
perfecto distingo lo negro del blanco
can perfectly distinguish black from white
y en el alto cielo, su fondo estrellado
and in the sky above, her starry backdrop,
y en las multitudes, el hombre que yo amo.
and within the multitude, the man that I love.

Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto,
Thanks to life, which has given me so much,
me ha dado el oído que en todo su ancho
It gave me hearing that, in all of its reach
graba noche y día grillos y canarios,
records night and day crickets and canaries,
martillos, turbinas, ladridos, chubascos
hammers, turbines, bricks, storms,
y la voz tan tierna de mi bien amado.
and the tender voice of my beloved.

Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto,
Thanks to life, which has given me so much,
me ha dado el sonido y el abecedario
it gave me sound and the alphabet
con él las palabras que pienso y declaro:
with them the words I think and declare:
padre, amigo, hermano y luz alumbrando
father, friend, brother and the light that illuminates
la ruta del alma del que estoy amando.
the road of the soul of the one I'm loving.

Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto,
Thanks to life, which has given me so much,
me ha dado la marcha de mis pies cansados;
It gave me the ability to walk with my tired feet;
con ellos anduve ciudades y charcos,
with them I have traversed cities and puddles,
playas y desiertos, montañas y llanos,
beaches and deserts, mountains and plains
y la casa tuya, tu calle y tu patio.
and your house, your street and your patio.

Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto,
Thanks to life, which has given me so much,
me dió el corazón que agita su marco,
it gave me a heart that shakes its frame,
cuando miro el fruto del cerebro humano,
when I see the fruit of the human brain,
cuando miro el bueno, tan lejos del malo,
when I see good so far from evil,
cuando miro el fondo de tus ojos claros.
when I look into the depth of your light eyes.

Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto,
Thanks to life, which has given me so much,
me ha dado la risa y me ha dado el llanto;
It gave me laughter and it gave me tears;
así yo distingo dicha de quebranto,
with them I distinguish happiness from pain,
los dós materiales que forman mi canto,
the two elements that make up my song,
y el canto de ustedes que es el mismo canto,
and your song which is the same song,
y el canto de todos que es mi proprio canto.
and everyone’s song, which is my very song.

Gracias a la vida.
Thanks to life.

After working for 33 years in the Netherlands I will retire now in my homeland Flanders. In my inaugural lecture I referred to the words of the 16th century mayor of Antwerp Marnix van Sint-Aldegonde. He wrote, indicating the link between the Netherlands and Flanders:

We are two branches on one tree.

I also expressed my hope to combine the motto of the Burgundy dukes of Flanders “Plus est en vous” (There is more is in you) with the one of William of Orange “Point n’est besoin d’espérer pour entreprendre, ni de réussir pour persévérer” (It is not necessary to hope to take action, nor to succeed to sustain).

I think I did.

But still…

my friends in Flanders regularly ask how I can survive as foreign worker in the Netherlands. Indeed it is not always obvious to hold up professionally as a Belgian in the Netherlands, even not coming from Flanders.

But still…

at the end of my career in Maastricht, my final judgement is absolutely positive. The possibilities I received, definitely to develop the international part of my curriculum, were generous. This double feeling is nicely expressed in the following song ‘The Greater Netherlands Ballad” on a text by the Dutch writer Ernst van Altena and sung by the Flemish minstrel Miel Cools. It is my pleasure to present you this beautiful ode.

Als ik het zie, die eindeloze lintbebouwing
When I see the endless ribbon developments
Van Spa tot Hasselt en van Tienen tot aan Gent
From Spa to Hasselt and from Tienen to Gent
En als ik voel hoe in kleinsteedse denkvernauwing
And when I feel how small-town narrow thinking
De Vlaming altijd door zijn eigen straatje rent
Makes the Flemish run in their own street
Als ik per auto over de kasseien martel
When I am tortured in my car on cobble stones
Met om de duizend meter een gekneusde band
With every thousand meters a punctured tire
Dan denk ik: Vlaanderen mag dan lustig zijn en dartel
Then I think: Flanders may be lusty and frisky
Maar Lieve Heer geef mij het nette Nederland
But please Lord give me the cleaner Netherlands

Als ik ze zie, die eindeloze blokkendozen
When I see the endless building blocks
Van Weesp tot Arnhem, van Terneuzen tot Terlet
From Weesp to Arnhem, from Terneuzen to Terlet
En als ik merk hoe uitgekauwd en uitgeplozen
And when I notice how chewed-up and sifted-through
De Nederlander altijd op zijn buurman let
The Dutch are always watching their neighbours
Als ik ze zie, die tuintjes zonder avonturen
When I see the unadventurous gardens
Gras zonder onkruid en liguster langs de rand
Lawns without weeds and privets along the edges
Dan denk ik: Nederland mag schoon zijn voor de buren
Then I think: the Netherlands may be clean for the neighbours
Maar Lieve Heer geef mij het dolle Vlaanderenland
But please Lord give me crazy Flanders

Als ik de Vlaming vol van bier naar huis zie keren
When I see the Flemish coming home filed with beer
De gang te wankel en de tong wat al te luid
An unsteady walk and noisy speach
Als ik hem bitter humorloos zie opmarcheren
When I see them marching bitter and humorless
Achter de klauwaard met te militair geluid
Behind their banners with military music sound
Als ik ze hoor, de Vlaamse grappen al te drollig
When I hear the, the Flemish jokes all too funny
Vaak langs, vaak op, en heel vaak ook voorbij de rand
Often along, often on and very often over the edge
Dan denk ik: Vlaanderen mag dan driftig zijn en lollig
Then I think: Flanders may be cranky and funny
Maar Lieve Heer geef mij het kalme Nederland
But please Lord give me the calmer Netherlands

Als ik ze zie, de Nederlanders in hun kerken
When I see the Dutch gathered in their churches
Hervormd, gereformeerd, nazaten van Calvijn
Formed and reformed, followers of Calvin
Met hun gezichten stijf als witgekalkte zerken
With their faces as white-washed graves
En met hun zekerheden uitgemalen fijn
And with their securities finely grinded
Als ik ze galmende hun waarheid hoor verkonden
When I hear them proclaim their reverberating truth
Nooit uit de nette plooi en nimmer uit de band
Never loosened up and never out of the band
Dan denk ik: Nederland mag vrij zijn van de zonde
Then I think: the Dutch may be free of sins
Maar Lieve Heer geef mij het zondig Vlaanderenland
But please Lord give me the sinful Flanders

Oh Lieve God geef ons een kilo Vlaamse blijheid
Oh my dear Lord give us one kilo Flemish joy
Een kilo trouw en plichtsgevoel uit Nederland
One kilo loyalty and sense of duty from the Netherlands
Dan mengen wij dat zelf in onze eigen vrijheid
We will then mix these into our own freedom
Tot vriendschap zonder oog om oog en tand om tand
And friendship without an eye for an eye, a life for a life

But still…

a final reflection on what can be considered as my personal mission.

In his valedictory lecture the famous French 19th century surgeon Jules Péan addressed his colleagues and pupils as follows:

Allow me without misplaced or false modesty to remind you of what I, in my opinion, have undertaken for the honour of Surgery in France and for the wellbeing of the sick. When one has done all this thanks to ones work and persistent efforts, when one had fought with success a desperate struggle for modern thoughts to be accepted, then one can have the right in these circumstances to say: I have been working well.

Honi soit qui mal y pense!

I do not want to appropriate the same qualifications as this eminent French colleague,

but still…

I cannot refrain from thinking back on the final words from Candide by François-Marie Arouet, better known as Seigneur de Voltaire. I used them at the end of my inaugural lecture as a leitmotiv:

Il faut cultiver son jardin.

Now 23 years later I can wholeheartedly say:

Monsieur Voltaire, j’ai bien cultivé mon jardin’

At the end of this part of my professional career, I want to repeat the words of Joost van den Vondel (by the way also a Fleming in the Netherlands):

Today I close a ring of six times eleven years

But still…

as a last look at the future a final aphorism by Dag Hammarskjold:

For all that has been, Thank you!
For all that is to come, Yes!

Ladies and gentlemen: thank you for being present and for your willingness to listen to me for 45 minutes. If nevertheless I would have hurt anyone or unduly have forgotten to mention, I say:

but still…

I have said.