~ Poems of Love ~

The following poems have been written by me, for my husband Hamada, who is suffering 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 now showing in his Pelvis, we have made it to three years! The Muliple Myeloma also attacked his Kidneys, first showing at diagnosis in May 2006 leaving Hamada only a small percentage of kidney function. He never complains, using his most amazing smile even when I know he has severe pain. Hamada has achieved 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. Now once again in 2009 it has been confirmed that Hamada is out of remission. This blog contains poems written for Hamada, telling of our life together, also updates on Hamada's journey, and his personal fight, against Multiple Myeloma :Info @ http://www.myeloma.org.uk/ I hope you like these poems of love and this site is dedicated to Hamada.

30 December, 2008

Not So Good Readings For Hamada !

Just before Christmas we received the latest very disappointing blood results for Hamada. I felt it was not the right time to post them but here they are now. I would welcome please, any comments or emails from the very knowledgeable Myeloma Folk who are following Hamada's Journey.
HGB -11
WBC- 1.2
PLT - 40
NEU -0.72
and worst of all - Para protein (M-Spike) 5.3 - ( Last reading 1.9 )
More tests to be done in the coming weeks and then the decision will be made as and when to use Velcade. ( Hamada has no more stored stem-cells )

lgG Kappa

9 comments:

Michael Morse said...

I'm sorry you have to worry. I don't know that much about the numbers, I'm hoping that they fluctuate and this is a little dip on the road to recovery.

Best wishes and hopes for a Happy New Year!

Oh, and Merry Belated Christmas!

Susie Hemingway said...

Thanks Michael, had a good few emails from this post and some useful information, mostly from your side of the pond, which all helps. Just trying to glean as much knowledge as possible all the time. We had an amazingly good Christmas with a house full- some pics on facebook. Wishing you and yours a very super 2009. Rainbows and stars..

tk said...

Those numbers are disconcerting, especially the M-spike. I don't know what other treatments Hamada has tried other than the SCT. Richard responded really well to Revlimid with dex only 2 days per cycle. He did ok with Velcade also, but this may be coming to an end..will ellaborate in a post soon. Don't give up hope. There are so many more options now, and even the older treatments such as oral melphalan and prednisone can keep the Beast in check.

I enjoyed your christmas pictures!

Susie Hemingway said...

Thank you TK, always pleased to have your good advice. Hamada has now had almost everything that is available in the UK. Velcade that was not use as a first choice for him, is now the only option left and we start again later this month with some more tests and a decision will be made about when to go with the Velcade. Rather concerned about the effects of Velcade on already compromised Kidneys but if we can manage for a good few months there might be something new passed for him. Till then "we will keep on, keeping on" My very best wishes to you and Richard and thanks X

Lori said...

Oh Susie, I so admire you and Hamada on this very difficult journey you are on. Being so new at this with our first transplant just completed, I am of no help or value to understanding what this means for Hamada. But know that I remain hopeful and think of you both often. Best, Lori

Susie Hemingway said...

Thank you Lori for your nice comments. How wonderful that David has now completed his first Stem Cell and so very pleased to read the amount of cells collected. Congratulations on that, a remarkable feat! Unfortunately Hamada does not have anymore cells reserved, it was so hard to collect the few he did in 2007. Now as it appears he is out of remission, we shall face the 'Beast' once again. More news later after further tests this month. It's such great news you are returning to California, I shall check in from time to time - Oh well done you two!!

La Cootina said...

I shamefully admit that I don't really know what most of my "numbers" mean... so I've decided that they don't mean anything. They are numbers on a piece of paper. What matters is how you feel, how you cope, and if you are still able to fill your heart with gratitude and lofe. I wish you and Hamada a year of peace, comfort, courage and strength.

La Cootina said...

er... love, not lofe. Don't fill your heart with lofe, please. ;D

Susie Hemingway said...

Thank you La Cootina. Kind words indeed and all very best wishes to you also.
Sincere Regards Susie.

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