~ 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.

05 July, 2008

Is There Ever A Right Time ?

Is there ever a right time when you are severely ill to take a holiday? Some would say that's a risk too far! Maybe because we have been so shocked at the invasion into our lives of this 'Myeloma beast' and also Hamada had so many serious complications during the past two and half years, that we have never felt it possible that he should leave his home, even for a short time. Still after consultation with Hamada's doctor and obtaining the consultants letter to aid the travel insurance, we have decided the time is right, to take a Mediterranean trip. Hamada is doing well right now. Yes, he is incredibly weak and certainly not in brilliant shape, but nearly all the medical stats show a small improvement and so, if we are to keep on keeping on... we have decided the time is now. Hamada grew up by the sea in Alexandria and although we are not returning 'this time', his passion is still for the 'Med' and I know this beckons him. So we have found a little island to visit.
Having always believed strongly, that to give power to the Multiple Myeloma, when it is our power, that should dominate it, is the only way forward. Hamada is a brave man, and he is a fighter, and a warrior, and yes, this is the right time... ok, it's a gamble, let's hope we make it and that it will be a very special holiday for him. I shall endeavor to make it so.


You gain strength, courage and confidence by every
experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.
You are able to say to yourself,
"I have lived through this horror,
I can take the next thing that comes along"...
You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

Eleanor Roosevelt 1884 - 1962

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have a great time on your holiday. We have had to cancel travel plans several times because Richard's health changed, so now we try not to plan too far ahead and we always get travel insurance!

Roobeedoo said...

Have a wonderful time! We were too nervous to book a holiday this year (we had to cancel at the last minute last year) but now I wish we had taken the risk! Carpe diem!

Michael Morse said...

When something is right, it just feels right. I'm very happy you didn't run from the feeling that this is the right thing to do.

I think a holiday is a fantastic idea.

Enjoy!

Susie Hemingway said...

Thank you TK, we have our fingers well and truly crossed we make it and nothing with H's health changes before then! We send best wishes to you and Richard

Susie Hemingway said...

Thank you Roobeedoo we are quietly excited at the prospect of a holiday- can it be possible? All best wishes to you and to FL, who seems to be doing so well - long may it continue.

Susie Hemingway said...

Hi Michael, well yes, we have really jumped in at the deep end, lets hope it all goes well and we make it - we are going with my Sister Jenny and her Husband - so have much support. Yippee! but I must not start to get excited until 'we' arrive at the airport - just in case. All best wishes.

Sunshine said...

Doing the thing that perhaps you thought you could not do! (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Wishing you a wonderful magical time.

Susie Hemingway said...

Thank you Dear Sunshine, I am hoping so much, that I can make this a really special holiday for Hamada. All best Wishes to you and Don.

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