~ 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.

08 June, 2009

Hamada Makes It! - As Sure As....



As readers to this blog already know I chronicle here, a continuous register of updates and poems telling of Hamada's journey with the difficult disease of Multiple Myeloma. A most complex illness to treat and stage, with at the moment, no known cure. Still for many people it can be managed well if diagnosed early. Hamada was diagnosed when the Myeloma had attacked his kidneys and was in eighty percent of his blood-steam. So you will understand his courageous battle with this disease.
Hamada was very keen that I record his progress or lack of, during this journey to perhaps help others. So you will appreciate that my poems must be and are, from my true feelings and watchfulness as the days go by. Hamada is currently out of remission but is not undergoing any Chemotherapy treatment at the moment,with only maintenance drugs prescribed, in the hope that he will become a little stronger to try again any remaining chemotherapy drugs. that he has not tried before.

So it was with great delight this weekend that although very weak and sleeping for best part of everyday, he managed to courageously find enough energy to join in Son Matt's 40th birthday evening celebration, at a very nice local Inn for a splendid family meal together. He had so desired to be there, was determined beyond all measure to make it... so 'As Sure As' with a little help from family members, Hamada made it to the Blue Bell Inn. He enjoyed so much this very important celebration although not moving much at all the following day and resting continuously since. Well done Hamada, I know what it took to manage this and I am so very proud of you Habibi.

8 comments:

Roobeedoo said...

Oh that's so good to hear! Hope you all had a wonderful time!

Unknown said...

Well done indeed! And I hope it was as much fun as you hoped it would be.

Unknown said...

I almost forgot to mention that neither of you look nearly OLD ENOUGH to have a 40 year-old son.

:)

Michael Morse said...

Walt, I think our friends from England grow up a little faster. I've done a comprehensive computer based age analysis combining all pictures of Susie and Hamada and comparind the data to millions of others in the data base and have concluded they had their first child at eight and ten, respectively.

I'm very happy the night went well. Congratulations, and happy Birthday!

Susie Hemingway said...

Walt, thank you for your nice compliment and yes we had a fantastic weekend with all the family staying, so lots of fun and laughter!! and Michael you did make me laugh.. which is always a good thing.
I know you are already quite aware of my - never kept secret, elderly status - here I am known as a senior citizen, rather like that although don't feel I fit that slot quite yet! but it does afford one a bit of respect! I was 21 when I had Matt and 34 when I had Jo so you do the Math. I really don't feel any different than I did in my thirties...as long as you stay well, then it's a breeze to keep fit. My best to you both and thanks for making me smile today

Karen Brook said...

Such joy to read here on your blog more of the details of your wonderful weekend! You are all radiant in the pictures you posted on "facebook". I agree with others here about the age thing. Either someone made an error on your birth certificates (yours and Hamada's) or it is true what they say about the English climate being marvelous for preserving of the complexion! I tend to think it is the tremendous love you have for one another that is the secret elixir for your youthfulness. (That and a little "Hendricks" from time to time :-)

Sunshine said...

Happy Birthday Celebration!!
Congratulations to You All!

Lori Puente said...

Awesome Susie and Well Done Hamada! Best, Lori

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