~ 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.

11 April, 2009

Hamada Continues Well At Easter-Time


Photo: Easter Sunday Last Year ! - 2008.

Hamada is continuing well, and we plan to have a small Easter-time celebration at 'Orchard End' with a good Roast Dinner and some Chocolate Treats. Hamada is not well enough to join the wonderful Easter Breakfast which after watching the Sunrise at a local beauty spot, is celebrated together with friends at the Village Hall. Always a lovely occasion, especially last year with the sudden onset of snow!
This week we had a very comprehensive consultation at Nephrology at Lincoln, going over carefully all the drugs Hamada takes. Then a good discussion with the specialist Ms Little, her very considered view being, that Hamada's kidneys are just functioning enough without the need for Dialysis. Dialysis may just give him a little more energy but not enough for the dramatic change to Hamada's quality of life that would ensue, with this irreparable (for Hamada)procedure, the need also - if not done at home- for the four days per week, journey to Lincoln. This with all the other clinic visits, would be far too much for him to endure. So we are thankful that his kidneys are holding on. We believe this has been achieved with the very good amounts of water taken daily to flush through the proteins that prevent the kidneys from filtering waste products from the blood. When Hamada was diagnosed almost three years ago he had only 8% kidney function he now has 15%. We still await the results of the latest Bence Jones 24hr test, also the Bone Marrow Biopsy and the Skeletal Scan.

We wish our very good family, friends, at this special 'Spring Time' who with watchful eyes, continue to support us -how lucky we are to have you - and to all fellow Multiple Myeloma sufferers, a very "Happy Easter" or "Happy Spring Feast"

4 comments:

Unknown said...

It is good indeed that his renal function is adequate - better that he's had improvement. I know a number of people with renal failure who undergo dialysis 3-4 times per week. It is hard on them. Based on what you've said, I'm inclined to agree with your assessment of where he is at right now. And I'm thankful - for both of you - that he is healthy enough to not have to deal with that.

Have a Happy Easter, my friend. And please give Hamada my best.

John said...

I'm glad you have a pleasant weekend planned for Easter. Enjoy the holiday.

Sunshine said...

Oh my, wasn't this Easter weather better!! (here, too!)
Continuing prayers and best wishes.

Margaret said...

Very glad to read that Hamada is doing well. Bravo!
All my best wishes to you and your family,
Margaret
Florence, Italy

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