~ 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.

24 July, 2009

This Fight Without Choice.


It was never a choice was it?
it sneaked in and through
along and around,
this nasty wicked 'beast' that coursed
along the channels of our lives
it tangled and tried to spoil,
bent, broke, quietened and flawed
it tried to rob, steal if you may,
inflict, damage and take away,
it encumbered, hampered, distressed
and sapped,
this dark encroacher that went too far.
Still, it did not spoil or mar
love twixt us two
this fight...without choice.


All Rights Reserved @ July 2009
*This poem is dedicated to all Multiple Myeloma Sufferers and their Carers.

21 July, 2009

A Little Update.


We visited Hamada's very nice Renal Consultant Ms Little at Lincoln County Hospital today, to receive the good news that Hamada's Kidneys are still holding without the need for dialysis. We were a little apprehensive as Hamada's eyes have been somewhat swollen lately and I did have some concerns. We also delivered the 24hr Bence Jones marker test to Haematology once again. Although his cholesterol is very high at 9 and he will now require statins, his weight has improved and although blood remains very poor - Ms Little jokingly announced that he has only 2 white cells! - and the cancer is high, we are still very happy with any good news that can be found in this daily battle. At the weekend, Hamada managed to join the 'The Big Lunch'* in our village, which was a nation-wide event with many towns, villages and streets participating. I felt this would be good for him to see all our friends and as we had family visiting for the weekend and the event was held outside, quite a safe event for him to attend. A thoroughly nice afternoon unfolded, the picture above was taken at this occasion.
*The Big Lunch = everyone brings a dish or two to make a wonderful feast and we all share and eat together.

05 July, 2009

"The Waiting Game" by Susie Hemingway


Nothing now for you they say
they will not offer yet, no way
no action or depart from same,
it is to be a waiting game...
and so the dictionary spills to me,
tarry, await, bide but see,
expect and watch, kick in one's heels
but do not depart from daily pills.

Continue strong with courage they say
but 'they' don't live from day to day!
stand firm, remain, counter or sustain
is there justice to obtain?
grasp this power of resistance
strong to overcome, do not waver
build your fortress, this war for us
which will be done.

Dig in and fight to stop invade,
your courage will make another day...

Clicky Web Analytics