~ 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 March, 2010

A Set Back


Hamada has stopped Velcade after just three infusions as his platelets have crashed to just twenty-two. He is having a rest of ten days with another CBC on Thursday next, to assess the situation and see if he may continue.
A Visit from Grandson Manu for the weekend brought much joy to Hamada.


Addendum: A visit to Haematology yesterday, with a full physical check-up and a further blood test, now show Hamada's platelets have bounced back to 33, Hamada will continue next Monday (dv) his 2nd course of Velcade. Good news indeed.

10 comments:

Sandy said...

Dear Susie and Hamada -- to look at the photo of your beloved with his dear grandson, one can see the love that shines between them! And the love is what gets us through these tough times, does it not? My heart energy goes out to you for these ten days to bring some hope...

Elizabeth @ The Garden Window said...

I am so very sorry to read about this setback.
Assuring you of my prayers for you all.

Margie said...

Dear Susie
The photo is so lovely!
I am sad to know of this set back.
Keeping your husband in in my prayers.

Roobeedoo said...

Oh sorry Susie and Hamada - you get all psyched up for the treatment and then it has to be stopped. "Crashing platelets" made me smile though - sounds like a party in a Greek restaurant!

Susie Hemingway said...

Thank you for your good wishes Sandy, Yes,the two of them did not spend much of the long weekend apart - enjoying very much each others company - lots of giggles and fun.

@ Elizabeth we so welcome your good prayers for a better outcome.

@ Margie Yes I do like this photo very much but always seem to take photos when H is wearing THOSE PJ's but then he does have several the same.

@ Roobeedoo
Yes it was a bitter pill to swallow!! those crashing platelets!! must be poetic licence? but you're so right lol. x

Unknown said...

What an awful setback to have happen. I don't know what else to say, other than that it really sucks...

I think you know that Hamada (and you, for that matter) has been on the list of people I pray for regularly. And if I could, I'd donate platelets to help get his count back up.

I know I've also said it already, but that photo of Hamada and Manu is amazing.

Barry said...

Hamada is looking good in the photo. He is in my thoughts and I certainly wish him sell.

Dave King said...

A fantastic photograph. Difficult to know what else to say except God bless you all. keep blogging.

Noelle Dunn.... A Poet in Progress said...

thinking of you!

Twivega said...

Thanks, great blog

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