~ 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.

13 August, 2010

A Short Update.

After a rather long visit with Hamada's consultant at Lincoln yesterday it was a general consensus between us that Hamada would start Revlimid today and the consent forms were duly signed. His HB and Platelets readings were a little better but Para Protein continues to rise.

His monthly regime is as follows:
Lenalidomide ( Revlimid) 15mg every other day. For 21 days - weeks rest.
Dexamethasone 2mg x10 on two days per week for three weeks - weeks rest.
Aspirin 75mg Daily
Allopurinol 100 mg Daily - which is already prescribed in maintenance tablets.
Lansoprazole 30mg - which is already prescribed in maintenance tablets.
Filgrastim Injections 300Micrograms/0.5ml on three days per week.

Hamada is to have weekly blood tests every Thursday at Lincoln and I will ring in the afternoon to check readings and then this will ensure that bloods are carefully monitored and extra platelets or treatments can be received on the Friday should they be needed.
I know you all join me in wishing Hamada all the luck in the world that this treatment will be the one to help reduce the Myeloma burden and thus give him more time with us.

Rose Photo: "Cleopatra" from my garden.

10 comments:

Lori Puente said...

Always the "adjustments" to the regime. Dave has had some adjustments and said last night, we needed to have a "meeting" to go over the changes as he isn't doing some of the "optional" stuff that will help with various things. :)

I hope that Hamada stays stable on the Revlimid with his numbers so he can keep taking it and keep the beast at bay while not having it dramatically impact him. It is indeed possible! Keep the faith!

Elizabeth @ The Garden Window said...

You will both be very much in my thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks.
Love and best wishes to you both.

Unknown said...

Hoping this treatment will have a positive impact on Hamada's numbers. Sure do understand the weakness - Vern is really struggling with that right now. We just must "keep on keeping on", however. Loved the photo of H with his Guinness and today's beautiful rose. May it be a wonderful day for you and your man.

Susie Hemingway said...

Thanks Lori, Do hope Dave is doing well and making sure he stays on top of everything. So many drugs always but how important they are to protect various parts when one is so vunerable due to the very strong ones. It will be a real balancing act for H and we pray he can manage it, still he has much courage. All very best wishes.

Susie Hemingway said...

Elizabeth @ The Garden Window. Thank you so much for your good wishes and prayers all so gratefully received.

Susie Hemingway said...

@ Dianne, sending love and all very best wishes to you and Vern. It is a continuous path in trying to keep up their strength. I am so glad the Vern is home with you once more and I wish you lovely peaceful days and much joy together. Keep strong Dianne you do such an amazing job. XXXX

Sandy said...

I am in alignment with this objective and will be keeping you both in my prayers and thoughts over the coming weeks.

That rose is positively gorgeous.... too bad you can't post a "scratch and sniff" spot as well!

Jean said...

Am very glad you both had a few lightly festive times this summer. Hope it was rejuvenating.

As always, I keep both of you in my thoughts, sending as much strength as possible.

Beautiful, beautiful rose!

Nick said...

Hamada looks great!! As does that Guinness!

For purposes of giving you an alternative viewpoint that will help rationalize it, Dr. Barlogie told me point blank I should eat and drink whatever I want, including alcohol (I'm sure he wouldn't want me getting soused every night.) He thinks people have to live their life, and enjoy it, and the impact that a couple of pints of Guinness (or a nice bottle of wine share with a loved one!) has on the body is trivial compared to the impact from the medicine and the disease itself.

So...with that said, know that you both remain in my prayers, and I thank you as always for the inspiration you and your blog provide both as cancer patients and as a beautiful marriage!

Now have a Guinness -- or a glass of champagne -- and toast your love! :)

Susie Hemingway said...

@ Sandy Thanks for your good wishes which we accept gratefully.
Glad you like my new Cleopatra Rose, wish I could send you a bloom x

@ Jean - Yes it's been a good time for us and now we must 'knuckle down'(not sure if you used this expression in America) and get on with this new chemo regime which so far is going quite well. Do hope it's cooler there for you now.

@ Nick Thanks for your great comment, delighted to know that all is 'on track' for you. I think the main caution with H having a little drink during the past few years was the concern over his kidneys, so he stuck to water but as these are stable now, his treats have returned. He has no desire for his usual red wine but finds he really enjoys a nice cold Guinness. Can only do him good I feel.
Now as to the champagne - now you're talking!

Clicky Web Analytics