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.

Hamada Continues With Velcade

Hamada started his second course of Velcade this week, his platelets have risen back to 33 and although having a bad cold, the Doctor after a good examination, deemed him well enough to continue. Coupled with the twice weekly Velcade, Hamada is taking 20mg Dexamethasone x 4 times weekly and a course of 21 days of Aciclovir. Each week before receiving the Velcade push a full CBC is taken, so we hope that his blood and most of all his platelets remain stable. He is experiencing some 'sweats' which mean a lot of bed linen and PJ changes. These sweats of course are difficult to distinguish between the cold and the effects of the Velcade, but with continuing normal temperatures which I take everyday, I am not overly concerned.

Hamada feels upbeat and cheerful and as the sun is now streaming in our windows and Spring seems well on it's way I leave you these little pictures showing the sheep in our lane having escaped from their field for a little walkabout.


PS: Hamada received radiated platelets yesterday which came all the way from Sheffield ready for him at 10.30 - excellent treatment from the Alex Medical Day Unit at Lincoln - great team there.

To Fight Once More.

"The Journey"


Hamada starts chemotherapy once more, this time with the drug Velcade combined with Dexamethasone.
Velcade is a newer type of chemotherapy - at least here in the UK - an anti-cancer drug called a proteosome inhibitor. In the UK it is allowed on the NHS to people who have already been treated with at least one other type of chemotherapy (Hamada has received several types from 2006 until a Stem Cell Transplant in October 2007)
Velcade is allowed on the NHS for first relapse after a Stem Cell Transplant or in persons unsuitable for SCT.

Starting next Monday, Hamada will receive Velcade by infusion combined with 40 mg oral dex(over two days) this will be continued twice weekly for two weeks then 10 days rest and then repeated. He must reduce within four cycles or it will be withdrawn due to the enormous cost of the drug. Some people sail through the possible side effects some of which are very serious and so Velcade is not to be undertaken lightly especially when like Hamada whose blood is very damaged from previous treatments and his kidneys are compromised, it will be an extremely tough road to travel.
It is most levelling to watch as the disclaimer is signed, listing all possible side effects some of which, are particularly frightening but is there really a choice? Hamada is quite aware that while the Para protein (M-Spike) rises in such an alarming manner now at 18.6! something must be tried before more damage is done to his bones and vital organs.

Multiple Myeloma is not for the faint hearted. It was never a choice but we are ready together to once again fight this battle, we thank the patient doctor yesterday, for painstakingly answering my long list of questions and helping us to arrive at this decision and to those he consulted regarding Hamada particular case.

We also thank our dear family, friends and fellow bloggers for all the wonderful support given as Hamada continues his fight and his journey with MM. breathe...