Happy New Year

Wishing all that visit my blog "A Very Happy And Peaceful New Year" It is tough for me to say goodbye to 2009, as it has been more comfortable than the two previous years for Hamada and I hate to wish the days away, but we must look forward with strength and hope. Thank you all for your most generous and comforting comments and good wishes throughout the year. We had a wonderful Christmas with our family staying with son Jo and Laura in the Chilterns and visiting friends and family. Hamada was most content and enjoyed very much this festive time. Now safely home again we shall look forward to 2010 wishing all those facing their own personal battles, hope, courage and a peaceful time.

Not A Good Sign.

As The festive Season approaches and most of the UK is covered in snow, we have further worries. Not a good sign this one, as once again the start of the severe nosebleeds Hamada has experienced twice before when the protein starts to rise. Most MM sufferers will understand Hyperviscosity. Hyperviscosity refers to an increase in the viscosity, or resistance to flow, of the blood. It is due to high levels of protein in the blood, specifically M proteins that attach themselves to platelets and interfere with platelet function. Hyperviscosity can result in:
Bruising
Nose bleeding
Hazy vision
Headache
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Sleepiness
Neurological symptoms (such as tingling or numbness in extremities) Hamada does not have any of the other symptoms except the bruising, nosebleeds and desire to sleep long hours but this is a vital sign that I have my eyes on very closely and I will be very watchful in the coming days.

A Journey To Make

As nearly all parts of the UK are experiencing quite heavy falls of snow and looking very picturesque. We are turning our thoughts to our Christmas Holidays and a journey to stay and visit with our sons in the south of England. It takes careful planning with a long journey, making it as smoothly as possible for Hamada, not allowing him to become cold or overtired at anytime and with a bit of extra padding around him for his poorly bones and all his medications of course. So with a little thought and everything needed to facilitate this, we are starting to get excited to see our family and friends once more for the festive season. A treat for me indeed as I usually host Christmas here at home. We seem to have rather a lot of packages to fit into the car already, with some special treats from Lincolnshire.

It has been a lovely month so far, a very busy time indeed with the sale of my book "The Power Within" which contains fifty of my poems of love that is selling so very well and I would like to thank all of you that have supported this cause. It continues to be available via http://www.susiehemingway.com/books/ but will not reach the US now in time for Xmas, as it takes approx five days.

This week we had our Nativity Pageant which was held in the streets of our little village, something I wrote and directed and it really went very well, with approx one hundred persons present. A lot of work was involved with the building of the sets and some very talented prop and lighting men did an amazing job. It was so lovely to walk the lanes of this pretty place on a dry night, singing carols as we made our way to the five tableau's set along the way. Stopping for mulled wine or hot chocolate, chestnuts and tiny ice cookies for the little ones. It was a very crisp cold night and lovely to see all the happy carol singers carrying their lanterns and enjoying the evening entertainment. After fireworks and setting off a large chinese lantern taking our wishes for our loved one high into the starry sky, we returned to the village hall for hot soup and traditional mince pies. A really lovely festive occasion.

So my friends, our very best wishes to you, we truly hope you enjoy the holiday season and we wish you a Very Merry and Peaceful Christmas.

A Garden At Hemingway.

Time For An Update I Feel.

Having been very remiss of late with no postings, time for a little update I feel.
As you will all understand life has been very busy indeed! Firstly at a most crucial moment,the publishing of my second book "A Power Within" my brand new laptop decided it was not happy to be working so hard for me, and refused to turn-on one morning. That really upset the apple cart! I was lucky to have saved the most vital information and all was not lost but a good reminder once again to back-up more often.
My book has really taken off, it seems there are many lovers of romantic poems and how generous people are in supporting this good cause. Not easy at this time of year and in the present climate but I know that many of the books sold are going for Christmas gifts, also many ladies are treating themselves to a little romance. It is so pleasing to know that there are many of you looking forward to curling up during the holiday season with your Christmas chocolates and treats and reading the love contained between these pages. Thank you for the lovely comments sent via my emails and here, telling me of your favourite poem and how much you are enjoying these poems of love in your daily read.
And So I thank you very much indeed, for this has now generated going into a second print, superb after less than a month!.

The wonderful Man whom all this writing is for, continues quite well, with a little improvement. WCC now at 2.1 Plat now at 54, and Creat 382 but the Paraprotein (M-Spike) is now 16.9! which we expected or thereabouts. No decision has been made to start Velcade, one of the only drugs Hamada has not tried. We had thought that perhaps this consultation would bring this. The feeling is still, that while Hamada is managing his quiet life with controlled pain and no other further symptoms, it would be wise to watch and wait a while longer. These past months have been so much better for him in many ways, a respite from the harsh Chemo drugs that pull him down badly. Although very weak he does manage to enjoy his days in a quiet way, is always happy, with seldom a down moment and just as amazing as ever. Now we even think of a New Year! who would have thought this possible at the beginning of this blog?

Never give up hope MM sufferers, even when given a poor prognosis and told the outlook is grim. So many are now proving the statistics wrong,giving them no credence. Many stories come to my ears of lives continuing well with many good and productive years. Keep strong and believe that with the wonderful new drugs that are now available thanks to good continuing research, that all will be well. My sincere wishes to you all and thank you so much for supporting MM.

A Power Within - fifty poems of love, is available via http://www.susiehemingway.com/books/