Author: Susie Page 22 of 30

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

It was with great interest that I read “White’s” inspirational book after it had been brought to my attention. This book with it’s clear steps on how to overcome life’s diversities in the face of tragedy felt to me, like it had a place here on this ‘blog’. Jerry White talks with great clarity of the unavoidable moment that divides our lives into the “before” and “after” at the point of tragedy or change. About what helps us to emerge stronger and perhaps wiser to reshape our lives in yes a different way, but while we search to recover we emerge even stronger. Many people have sent me mails and comments about my poetry on this ‘blog’. About how they have helped in some way. “I Will Not Be Broken” appeals to me greatly and I think it will to some of my readers to.

“This is a compassionate book in ” I Will Not Be Broken” Jerry White brings his insight and experience to bear expertly for those facing life’s unexpected challenges”

I Will Not Be Broken is on sale @ http://www.amazon.co.uk.

It’s funny how some good days just get better as they go along and when you expect them least. Hamada has been doing so well lately, more than we could have dared to believe, only a few short weeks ago. Still sleeping a lot but noticeably better. Yesterday we made the trip to Lincoln County Hospital for his renal check-up, and for a change we had a really short wait for the consultant, which was a joy. After all his checks B.P, Urine, Weight, etc, we had the quickest time with the Doctor, I can ever remember. Kidneys are holding at the 15% reading, Createnin level is better, B.P within the normal range, and the best words of all “I don’t need to see you for eight weeks”! now how good is that? We do of course, have to attend the Heamatology Clinic as usual but how amazing it felt not to have to make that extra journey so often. We came out into the beautiful sunshine and felt on top of the world. We then had a nice walk, (well Hamada in his wheelchair) around Lincoln Town Centre, which is a very pretty place, full of young people from the University and the shops are great. We made a few purchases, the only advantage with a wheechair , I can see, is the ability to carry your parcels as well as the passenger. Having a nice lunch in an outside cafe, we so enjoyed our day. Simple pleasures but simply lovely.

After not going very far in the past few months, Hamada was well enough to go on Saturday to Jenny and Ian’s evening party at the Village Pub. He enjoyed a wonderful steak dinner, with salmon to start, and some very good cheese to finish. He was driven there, although it’s only a few minutes away, but managed to stay for most of the party after. It was so lovely to have him join us all once again, mind you he did sleep for most of the next day – but an improvement never-the-less. Well done Hamada.

We had a wonderful weekend at “Hemingway ” celebrating my sister and brother-in-laws Pearl Wedding Anniversary more about that on www.susietest.stff.me Hamada so enjoyed having all the family here and we had such fun with garden games and a great BBQ. We erected a large Marquee in the garden so that nothing would be spoilt, with our sometimes, rather odd weather. Jo sang for us and so did Manu which was just wonderful. Hamada ( who never smokes cigarettes) enjoyed a smoke of Apple and Mint sharing a’Shisha’ pipe with Jo, taking him back to Alexandria, Egypt. For a small while Hamada looked pain free and very relaxed. It was a joyous day and created such lovely memories for us all.

On Tuesday I received a telephone call from one of Hamada’s team at Lincoln Hospital, saying that the results of the last Bence Jones Test had at last been returned. This, contrary to the last reading, showed that the results were very good! It appears that the marker is again very faint indeed! We are not going to get too excited by this, our lives are up and down enough with all these tests and medical problems we face everyday as it is, although we really are tempted to do so. I am aware that this is a very difficult test to read at the lower end of the scales and that mistakes can be made at this level. Still with this reading now at 0.01 does that mean that Hamada could just be hanging on to his remission or not? (It’s only been eight months since Hamada’s Stem Cell Transplant)

Please all you very knowledgeable guys out there, I would be grateful to know what you think. We are not returning to the Haematology Clinic until July 3 when we will discuss this in full.

Hamada enjoying the sun.