~ 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.

09 October, 2009

Two Years Since Stem Cell Transplant


Two Years Since Stem Cell Transplant.

On the 8th of October it was the two year anniversary of Hamada’s Stem Cell Transplant. We once again thank Prof. N. Russell and his wonderful team at Nottingham’s "Centre of Clinical Haematology" for their expertise and for securing these past two years for Hamada. We continue with joy at each given day and try to make everyday as special as we possibly can. Although many testing times have occurred during these past two years with many health issues. Hamada has quietly and with great dignity, gently taken great enjoyment at each day with his family. He never ever complains and deals with this most difficult illness with great courage.
In celebration I post here Hamada’s favourite Poem, apart from mine! (I’m jesting of course)


From the Springtime of Love by Khalil Gibran.

Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving:
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

Khalil Gibran 1883 – 1931

Photo by Susie . Rights Reserved - 2009.

10 comments:

Shadow said...

now THAT'S the way to love someone...

Jenny Robson said...

Our thanks, of course, to Prof Russell and his team for their amazing work. We do know too that it is Susie’s dedication which gives Hamada such comfort and positive outlook. Your poems inspire Susie and so do you. With love x

Zena Giessen said...

Zena Giessen, There’s nothing more I can say but ” JUST AWESOME ” absolute commitment & love for each other. MABRUK! our ole buddies!! BIG HUGS XXX

Ellie said...

What an achievement! I’d like to extend my gratitude to Prof Russell and the team at Nottingham for giving us all some precious moments & memories. I am eternally grateful.
The poem that accompanies this great achievement is just exquisite, but no poem has ever moved me like yours continue to.
Can’t wait to see you both at the weekend. All my love – Ellie.xx

A Cuban In London said...

I commend your husband for his courage and that Khalil's poem was ever so fitting. Many thanks.

Greetings from London.

Margaret said...

May you both have many more SCT anniversaries = years of happiness and love together. Lovely post, lovely poem...thank you, Susie!
Thinking of you both from Italy...

tim's wife said...

Congrats Hamada and Susie and Bravo
from the wife of another brave MM patient who never complains either.
You men are AMAZING!!!!
Truly awe-inspiring! Blessings to you from Jersey.

Susie Hemingway said...

What lovely kind comments to spur us on for many more years. Thank you wonderful people for the time taken to leave your comments here. We are hoping no more Chemo at least until 2010. Next review will be at the beginning of December as long as Hamada keeps fairly well. He is weak but holding fast.

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your two year anniversary, Hamada! Khalil Gibran's book is beside my bed and Barry and I will share this poem tonight, with special thoughts and prayers for Susie and Hamada first, Barry and I second. I love this poem too. And Hamada, you are right.... I love Susie's poems just as much.=D

Susie Hemingway said...

Linda, special thanks for your kind thoughts . Khalil Gibran is a favourite of ours and particulary this poem is Hamada's special one. Thank you for enjoying my humble offerings. It is right for me to get my feelings down and for me most therapeutic to keep this diary, of this Hamada's journey. Our very best wishes to you both, and even more sincere good wishes to Barry, as he travels a similar road.

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