~ 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.

21 July, 2009

A Little Update.


We visited Hamada's very nice Renal Consultant Ms Little at Lincoln County Hospital today, to receive the good news that Hamada's Kidneys are still holding without the need for dialysis. We were a little apprehensive as Hamada's eyes have been somewhat swollen lately and I did have some concerns. We also delivered the 24hr Bence Jones marker test to Haematology once again. Although his cholesterol is very high at 9 and he will now require statins, his weight has improved and although blood remains very poor - Ms Little jokingly announced that he has only 2 white cells! - and the cancer is high, we are still very happy with any good news that can be found in this daily battle. At the weekend, Hamada managed to join the 'The Big Lunch'* in our village, which was a nation-wide event with many towns, villages and streets participating. I felt this would be good for him to see all our friends and as we had family visiting for the weekend and the event was held outside, quite a safe event for him to attend. A thoroughly nice afternoon unfolded, the picture above was taken at this occasion.
*The Big Lunch = everyone brings a dish or two to make a wonderful feast and we all share and eat together.

8 comments:

Michael Morse said...

"We all share and eat together."

That sounds a bit familiar, you folks would fit right in at the firehouse!

Best wishes from Providence, thanks for the update, I was beginning to worry.

Susie Hemingway said...

It's nice to imagine you all eating together on your shifts..I bet some great banter goes on!! It was a good weekend with Son Jo staying, a great arm to lean on for Hamada. He is weak now, can only walk a little way, it's to be expected I know. He has done so well, the hospital are amazed and delighted, that he has managed this far....but we are not giving up yet Michael, I am hoping the cancer will plateau and give him much more time, more Chemo is not really an option. Thanks for your great support as always.

Barbara said...

What a wonderful picture of Hamada, certainly his smile is worth a thousand words Susie! The event sounds great. Sending all of our best.. Barbara and Mark

Sandy said...

How lovely to be able to share such an event and the light in your beloved's eyes is encouraging. I intend more good days...

Margaret said...

It was good to read your update. Hamada has such a lovely smile!

Have you considered Avemar at all? If he is not gluten intolerant, that might help Hamada feel stronger. I wrote a post about it some time ago...I have never tried the stuff but figured it was something I would keep on the back burner, you never know. Anyway, for more info, just go to PubMed, there are 29 studies on Avemar, including this one: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&cmd=search&term=avemar

All the best to both of you! :-)

Susie Hemingway said...

Thank you Barbara and Mark for your kind comments and for your continuing support.

Many Thanks also to Sandy, who never fails to add words of encouragement...how I enjoy your travels.

Susie Hemingway said...

Many thanks Margaret for your kind comments and for the advice and information on Avemar...I am off now to study and read all information you have kindly linked me to. Bless you, may you continue to stay well and many thanks again for this.

Roobeedoo said...

Well he is certainly looking good Susie! Great to hear you are managing to get out to such events.

Clicky Web Analytics