~ 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.

26 June, 2010

Time For A Little Update I Feel.



After consultation this Thursday it has been jointly decided to adopt a wait and watch policy after the poor response from the three months treatment with the Chemotherapy drug Velcade.It was not successful for Hamada only reducing the PP(M-Spike) by 4 and since the finish of treatment this is now back to a whopping 16.9. It was sad that after twice weekly trips for the Velcade and sometimes many more with transfusions, when platelets dropped to a very low 22 and with clinic visits also to monitor kidney function it was indeed an exhausting time for Hamada.

Current readings:
Cret 342 - HB 10.1 - WC 2.4 - PP 16.9 and Platelets a whopping 69(remember they were 22).

Although these readings look awful they are not that bad for Hamada and his Doctor used the word stable, certainly a word not heard for many months! Not a word I would use but there we go. We are to return in four weeks time and the plan is to start Revlimid when after close monitoring they deem it the right time. The worrying high PP does concern me so, I spoke to the consultant about this but he is adamant that Hamada needs time to recoup before continuing his fight. While I respect this, they have assured me they will monitor very closely indeed. It's not satisfactory, still what really is with MM nothing that I can see! Hamada is his always cheerful self, the most delightful patient and as the picture here shows a very much loved Grandpa. My best wishes to all who read this.

Manu and Grandpa.

21 June, 2010

The Garden Swing


We swing together you and I
in that old shaded place we love,
peaceful sweet smelling garden air
that gentle breeze that tickles hair,
the yellow Iris in our view,
Oh how I love to be with you!
Tranquil sounds of garden spirits
the chirping of the evensong thrush
lavender blue scent comes through,
we swing together like children do.


This quiet spot where we can dream
these special hours away,
amid the slowing of day ending
we talk of yesterday,


no more is needed for you and I
we know that time is short
and so we talk and dream and think
of what this life has brought.


We dream together
you and I,
on this old garden swing.




Photo: from “Hemingway”
All Rights Reserved.

03 June, 2010

Tears At Another Table.



It was an eternal wait that day
a long perpetual tedious episode
an abuse on the senses,
the faces filling the clinic suite
sitting too close together at tables that encumbered,
all appearing the same, all resigned to their fate;
all stricken with disbelief.
I watched…


Can you put aside like dead flowers a mind that is full of fear?
Can you not feel the pain of those set faces that await
the ‘clarion call’ for news no one wishes to hear?
Can you relentlessly show that crumbling smile?
Can you quieten the beating of your own heart?


I watched the woman sitting opposite me, a reflection of myself,
sitting beside her Man, worry etching her face,
quietly waiting the prophecy that could change their lives,
was she to receive news that would set her Man free?
Set them both free!


I watched…I watched…


I watched this fragile life snap and break,
I watched those tears at another table…




All Rights Reserved @ Susie Hemingway 2010

* NB After being on Velcade and Dexamethasone(80mg weekly) since February 22 2010 Hamada's Para-Protein (M-Spike) has only dropped to 15 He is to have a few weeks break and then start with the oral chemotherapy Revlimid.The fight continues.

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