~ Poems of Love ~

The following poems have been written by me, for my husband Hamada, who suffered from Multiple Myeloma [IgG Kappa] a cancer of the plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow. After many months of chemotherapy, contracting pneumonia twice, once given only twelve hours to live and having three bad fractures to his spine and also showing in his Pelvis, he made it to four years seven months. The Multiple Myeloma attacked his Kidneys first showing at diagnosis in May 2006 leaving Hamada only a small percentage of kidney function. He never complained, using his most amazing smile even when I knew he had severe pain. Hamada underwent a Stem Cell Transplant using his own 'harvested stem cells' . During October 2007 he spent seventeen days in the "Centre For Clinical Haematology" at Nottingham City Hospital UK. where he achieved this transplant. We had a scare at six months after transplant, when told 'the beast was back' but subsequent tests showed a partial remission. Again in early 2009 it was confirmed that Hamada was out of remission He fought again during 2010 with newer chemo type drugs. First with Velcade and then with Revlimid but to no avail. His Kidneys were failing further and Hamada chose not to have dialysis. This blog contains poems and updates, written for Hamada, telling of our life together.
Now a beautiful book has been published, see http://www.susiehemingway.com/books/
showing Hamada's personal fight against Multiple Myeloma in the first fifty 'poems of love' written by me his wife. I hope you like these poems of love and also 'our story' dedicated to Hamada, who passed away peacefully at home on 23 November 2010 after a most courageous fight against Multiple Myeloma.

09 May, 2008

** The Beast is Back ! **

Such sad news came to us yesterday at Hamada's regular clinic at Lincoln County Hospital. The result of the recent Bence Jones test - which is one of the markers used - is at 0.13 which means that, although Hamada underwent a Stem Cell Transplant last October he has only achieved six months remission! The beast is back and the Myeloma is active again. This is devastating news, and with the knowledge that at long last his white cell count is up at 4.05 and he was getting stronger against infections, we had so hoped his remission would have been much longer than this. Hamada has now been offered Velcade ( but not yet awhile), a proteasome inhibitor which is used for people who have previously been treated with chemotherapy and have relapsed. Therefore we will start once again with the battle to fight this wretched disease.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your comments on my blog. Your poetry is beautiful. Sorry for your bad news. Chances are good that the Velcade will help.

We will be thinking of both of you

Teresa

Susie Hemingway said...

Thank you Teresa for your kind comments and just like you I think of the Myeloma as "The Beast" for what else is it? I will check in on your informative blog from time to time.
Take Care Susie

Roobeedoo said...

Velcade has a good track record. Wishing you both well.

Michael Morse said...

Providence is pulling for you! I wish the news was better.

Best,

Michael

Susie Hemingway said...

Thanks Roobeedoo, yes we have heard some good reports on Velcade, we can indeed hope that it will keep the "beast at bay" and that it will help Hamada. Thanks for your good wishes, hope all is well with you to.

Susie Hemingway said...

Thanks Michael, Hamada enjoyed your book very much indeed. Keep safe in Providence.
Sincere Regards Susie

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