Hamada continues quite well. Count now at 0.3, it did go back to 0.1 it’s normal for it to go up and down for a bit to start with. We hope for a higher reading later today. He has received more platelets to prevent anemia and is a little sick this morning but the drugs get that under control really quickly. His lovely grey hair is falling fast now, so I have a nice selection of hats ready to keep his head warm. He has done amazingly well so far. When the count reaches 0.5 we hope Hamada will be allowed home.
Author: Susie Page 26 of 30
The best news today Sunday 21 October 2007 – we have been told today that Hamada has a count of 0.2 which is such good news. He has received some platelets, and is very tired, sleeping a lot, which is quite normal at this stage but he is bright and cheerful when awake. We understand that he may be able to come home when the count reaches 0.5 but of course he will require frequent check-ups during the early post transplant period. All his harvested stem-cells were use in this transplant, so now we hope and pray Hamada will be successful with a long remission. I know it’s early days but I so wanted to share this news with you all.
I saw the teardrop from your eye
you turned your head, a little sigh,
you feel your pain, but seldom say
“yes it’s been a difficult day”
the courage of this daily battle,
you’re brave and steadfast, it’s your way
never letting in the sadness that
begins at dawn and ends at sleep.
I saw the teardrop from your eye
it made me angry, it made me cry.
The changes you accept so well
must be for you, a living hell,
to not be steady on your legs
to feel so sick, you need your bed.
You sit and drink the world right in
in quiet ways, you always sing,
you smile as if a secret brings
a gift of happiness within.
I saw that teardrop from your eye
it made me angry, it made me cry.
Your quiet ways and inner peace
accepting all, not giving way
just hoping for another day.
To sit and be, in joyous calm
not asking for a magic charm,
if it were me, I’d scream and shout
your so determined, there’s no doubt
such dignity, such pride, but
I saw that teardrop from your eye
it made me angry, it made me cry.
When all about you rush and bother
you sit and watch and quietly be
your love for me so clear to see,
never once do you complain
I see your passion, it never wanes,
you watch and wait, but never say
“this has not been, the best of days”
your daily thanks and generous praise,
they always take my breath away.
I saw that teardrop from your eye
it made me angry, it made me cry…
@ Copyright 2007
Hamada appears a little better today, the Doctor informed us that the blood tests show he had a mild form of septicemia, so now that the antibiotics are doing their work he feels better and is back with us again . Keep up the good work Habibi.
The past few days have not been very good for Hamada and we have been most worried. As the High-dose Chemotherapy finished and the next procedure started, (the infusion of stem cells) Hamada became distressed, very confused and disorientated. The Doctors believe it could be an infection starting and have place him on antibiotics. It has been a most difficult time for him and with a back sore from the bone marrow aspiration, which is to read the measurement of Myeloma and is performed again six weeks after completion, to see how successful this procedure has been, it has all been rather too much for him and his mind has been severely disturbed. He found it difficult to talk and comprehend, was agitated and not the normal placid Hamada we know. Yesterday he seemed somewhat better which was a relief. During these days after transplantation, the reinfused stem cells migrate to the bone marrow and begin the process of producing replacement blood cells. Now hopefully the stem-cells will start to produce these new blood cells, a process called engraftment, this should happen during the next 10 to 15 days. Until engraftment is complete Hamada remains susceptible to infection. A great team at Nottingham working hard for him – thank you all.
Hamada started his Stem Cell Transplant after a restful night at Nottingham City Hospital. The high-dose chemotherapy drug melphalan was started yesterday. Now just one days rest and his stem cells will be infused back into his bloodstream. He is rather sick today which is to be expected and has been given drugs to help with this. He has had some prior hydration to help and support those precious kidneys and the renal department is working with the transplant team.
Hamada is a little emotional today and the next few days will be most important for him and until engraftment is complete we must be so careful to avoid any infections and take precautions before entering his room. He really is in the best possible place and we are so pleased he has made it this far in his fight with this difficult disease. I will continue to update – I know that many Multiple Myeloma sufferers are following Hamada’s journey. Best wishes to you all.
Hamada wishes to thank you all for your support and many messages of good wishes for his forthcoming ‘Stem Cell Transplant’ procedure, starting on Monday. He sends his love to you all and says he is ready to do battle now! I will of course update on here for all our friends worldwide and for his family in Egypt. Good Luck Habibi.
As the spiders web draws you in
your eyes flicker becoming dim
I reach in terror to ease your pain,
but however I work, there is no gain.
the mist around your tired face
draws you gently to that place.
don’t enter the web that pulls you close,
stop spinning spider, leave your prey.
We fight and fight this daily battle
and hate the spider and its chattel
who tries so hard to lure you,
so easy is that gossamer thread
that wants to take you from your bed,
floating in the calm warm air
let me brush your silver hair,
go back spider, let go your grip.
Go take your ‘arachnid’ ways,
and spin somewhere another day
go find a substitute not him
and leave this gentle quiet soul
go spin your large white wheels of lace
that ensnare and strangle in their wake,
go back and think again,
for this is one, you’ll never win.
Stop spinning now, don’t draw him in.
leave him quietly, to sleep at peace.
go find your other prey to squeeze
for I don’t like your weaving ways
and this one has more sunny days.
You nasty creepy malignant beast
leave him be, go make your web
your threads that spin and crept within.
So easy is that gossamer thread…
All Rights Reserved
@ Copyright 2007
Such good news today, after a consultation with Prof. Russell – the date has now been set for Hamada’s stem cell transplant. Hamada will enter Nottingham City Hospital under the care of Prof Russell on the 8 October. How we all wish him every success with this.
In dreams I make you well again
in the quiet of the night
you run with me, in endless flight,
far away in thoughts of long ago
we run on beaches sailing to
deserted islands, strong were the arms
that pulled the boat ashore.,
In dreams I see you there once more.
In dreams I make you well again
your long limbs brown and strong,
the warm breezes puff at our skin
we swim in blue waters
you touching my nose and cheeks,
the droplets of crystal waters
dry with salty streaks,
In dreams the picture never alters,
In dreams I see you there once more.
In dreams I make you well again
to walk the sands with me
you standing tall, with eyes so clear
from El Salam* unto the sea,
to see the lighthouse in the bay
for you to breathe that salty air
for you to brush my long fair hair
In dreams I see you there once more.
In dreams I make you well again
in the quiet velvet of the night
the smile that changed my life
from dusk until the light,
in dreams you dance with me
on islands in deep blue seas,
close your eyes and dream with me
see those ‘najoods’ that stand like waves
see those golden seas of sand
see the place you held my hand.
*najoods – Sand dunes.
*favourite hotel
@ Copyright 2007
Do you remember Paris
so many days ago,
we ran in the rain
me in the highest heels, and
you never letting go,
dodging busy bustling streets,
past the Galerie of Fine Arts
wishing we could buy the shop,
do you remember Paris.
The tiny hotel you’d chosen
with a lift for only one
we squeezed tightly together
leaving our baggage still to come,
we laughed, as we rose to the attic
wiping the rain away,
and in our little shuttered room
we hid ourselves away,
do you remember Paris.
You sent for rolls and coffee
from the cafe just below
and as the lights came on
the room took on a rosy glow,
you say the smell of coffee
takes you back to that little room,
that, high over-stuffed bed,
the faded flowers, in candle gloom,
do you remember Paris.
We mixed the ‘Coco’ and ‘Givenchy’
the hearts so full of love
the heady cognac, just to warm us,
the courtyard full of doves,
it was our Paris, not the Eiffel
or the Champs-Elys’ees
or even the Louvre
just in the latin quarter, a tiny
hotel for two.
Do you remember Paris ? …
@ Copyright 2007
Clinic at Lincoln Hospital this week has shown a slight reduction in the ‘Bence Jones’ protein readings, dropping by .6 it’s not much but it’s certainly going in the right direction again.
Hamada has felt really good this week and has been enjoying the garden and the lovely weather, his white blood cells are now very low, causing neutropenia – cytotoxic chemotherapy has a tendency to induce neutropenia, so we must remain alert for symptoms of infection. Still we are very happy that a reduction has started again. Thanks again to all our friends and their good wishes – we send love.
Hamada is continuing with the Chemotherapy during the whole of August and September in an effort to reduced the ‘readings’ once again and then hopefully proceed to transplant at the end of September. His white bloods cells have reduced so he is more prone to infections and we must be careful to reduce all risk of infections duing this time. However we do try to carry on with a normal lifestyle.
Hamada has made a good improvement over the past week – very weak – but so much better.
Now starting his next course of ‘Chemo’. Many thanks to Amr our Nephew, who made the journey,thanks to Jo, to see his Uncle and spent time with him having so much fun catching-up and chatting together in their ‘Arabic’ and playing backgammon together. It was a wonderful tonic for Hamada. Even managing a drive to the beach and a walk! with the boys support.
Hamada and Ian
Hamada returned home after an eight day stay in Lincoln Hospital, he is still weak but so much better after the good care and attention received . Thanks to the amazing team in A and E – also to Mr Bowen and particularly to the young house Doctor – he knows- without naming- who went to extraordinary lengths to help sort out the many problems that arose – especially with the medications. Thanks also to the great team of nurses on ‘Dixon’, we could never do without your continuing patience and superb care. How grateful we are.