~ 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.

02 October, 2009

Update October 2009


As all tests were returned or done last week, we were seen very quickly at the Haematology in Lincoln Hospital yesterday. This appears to help save time for the Consultant with his study of blood results and checks of readings etc and although this involves two journeys, quite long ones for us. It is more preferable than the normal long waiting time for results to come through from the labs. Having found an improvement here, now for the big moan. The rather small car park for the disabled which is nearer the department, was completely full once again( that is sad in itself) After driving round for a while I had to concede, that the only place I could find, was miles away from the clinic we needed to attend. Struggling with the wheelchair in and out of the car is one thing. I am very physically fit but still it was most challenging for someone in their sixties to then push up the long hill leading to the Haematology department and certainly impossible for someone a little less stronger than I! It often appears strange to me, that the clinic where people have the most needs, is the furthest away! Very bad planning indeed, I suppose I could have weaved my way through all the miles of hospital corridors and up lifts but even my legs get tired sometimes! No wonder so many frail or unfit people have to rely on transport to and from their appointments, costing a great deal more with escorts in and out, than it would cost to make more disabled parking spaces - ah! I feel much better now for that wee moan.

All readings were much the same - very little change on all counts, except the dreaded para-protein (M-spike) which continues to climb and now at 13.09. Still,the consultants considered opinion, is that as Hamada is continuing well with no more pain than is usual for him and his Kidneys are holding well, that with all things considered, he should still not start Velcade yet and enjoy this respite, we are to return in December. The Doctor says to enjoy this good quality time and we intend to do just that!

Next week on the 8th of October it will be two years since Hamada's Stem Cell Transplant and we once again thank Prof N Russell and his wonderful team at Nottingham's "Centre of Clinical Haematology" for their expertise and for securing these past two years for Hamada. We continue with joy at each given day and try to make everyday as special as we possibly can.

*The above Photo was taken On September 26 2009

15 comments:

John said...

Hi Susie;

Hamada looks great. We should all have such a winning smile!

Thank you for keeping everyone in our community up to the minute on Hamada's condition.

christina said...

Susie, my husband ran in a race for the cure, on this past Saturday. We said a prayer and I thought of your darling husband, Hamada. You are in my thoughts.
Always, friend.
xo

Susie Hemingway said...

That is so great Christina, all these fund raising occasions really do help. Thank you for thinking of Dear Hamada and for your kind support.

Margie said...

Suzie, your husband looks so healthy and happy.
May the joy you are feeling today go on and on and on!

Margie:)

Susie Hemingway said...

Thank you John, I did reply earlier or so I thought.? It is nice to keep -up with updates on progress or lack-of. Hamada does look well as Margie has so kindly commented but as you know it is a most deceiving disease. In fact he was being supported on both sides, very weak indeed but he never complains and is always smiling Thank you for your lovely comments John and Margie.

A Myeloma Widow's Journey said...

I'm so pleased to hear that Hamada will have a few more months without treatment - it makes such a huge difference in quality of life (for both of you!).

We have the same issues here in the States with not enough disabled parking spots. I've taken to stopping in front of the entrance (double-parking) so I can unload Vern and get him just inside the building ... then I try to find a parking spot and return to get him to where we're headed. Not ideal, but it does help me to not have to push him so very far.

Keeping you and Hamada in my prayers.

Dianne xx

Lora Conrad said...

The good news is very good - no drugs - go enjoy life. I'm so happy to know that. That pesky M-spike - well, we'll just give it a serious stare-down and a warning to keep it at bay as long as possible. Hamada does look really good, but, then it helps to be pretty darned handsome anyway! Always on my mind and in my prayers. God Bless.

Susie Hemingway said...

Thank you dear Dianna, You are so right every day without that wretched chemo is a joy indeed. My rant about the parking at Lincoln (and I feel another little project coming on)is so difficult as the place I need to drop Hamada is the turning place for the ambulances and leaving my car as H cannot walk unaided, even for a short time is too dangerous. So perhaps I shall start with a small letter! and see how we go, a nice winter project. Hope Vern is comfortable and continuing well. love to you x

Susie Hemingway said...

9.45 pm Lora have just read your sweet comment to Hamada and he is sitting smiling at your kind generous remark. We are making the most of these quiet peaceful days, getting ourselves fit and ready - having some fun too - for the next big battle, do hope it will be after the Christmas Holidays. Take Care lovely lady.x

Karen Brook said...

SO glad to hear the update on Hamada's tests and that there's no reconsideration about further medication until December!!! And fall has only just begun including the warm joyous, loving family time of Thanksgiving and the start of Advent to look forward towards. The disability parking situation at the clinic, however, is abominable!! I, too, drop my mother off at the entrance of clinics for appointments or lab work and then find parking. But with the entrance where you folks have to use being ALSO the ambulance entrance is ridiculous AND dangerous! But know I rejoice with the two of you as you savor these delicious days with family and friends and all that is around you. Know you both are also surrounded daily by the prayers of John and me.

Anonymous said...

I agree!! No drugs is good news! Will be great to have you visit in December! Everyone should know my dad never ever complains winges or even frowns! I think smiles are his drug of choice! Xx lots of love

Roobeedoo said...

He's looking great! Make the most of being Velcade-free for a while longer. Don't get me started on parking! Our haematology clinic has temporarily relocated to be next to the helipad - which is great if you come by helicopter I suppose! But there are only "staff" parking spaces in the vicinity and my permit is not valid for this part of the hospital complex... grrr! We don't have a disabled disc so have to walk a long long way...

Unknown said...

Awesome news, Susie.

When I read your comment about your being sixty-ish, I laughed. Simply because I don't believe it. And you'll never convince me otherwise.... :-)

Susie Hemingway said...

@Karen, Bless you for your lovely comment on Hamada's Update. Yes it is a lovely time of year, even more lovely with no Chemo at the moment to contend with. Thank you for your prayers, for I am sure that all the prayers for Hamada coming Worldwide, is what is truly keeping him safe.

@Jo. Dearest Jo, how right you are in saying that Daddy's lovely smile seems to be the best drug of choice for him...but we know don't we, just how very brave he is.X

@Roobeedoo. I have a little campaign going now, see if we can improve the parking somewhat.Every best wish for FL.

@ Walt. Thank you for your comment it IS great news for Hamada. For the wretched Chemo does knock Hamada down - but to survive longer, it must come once again.
As to being in my sixties, check-in with Karen W. She has the little book I wrote on growing-up in the early fifties, I think this is proof enough - still having said that - I keep fit enough, thank goodness and so I still feel only forty lol.

Shadow said...

how i love to hear good news!

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