A big “thank you” to Sir Richard Branson who added his comments to my poem ‘You Elude me’ at 2.53 am today.
Thank you Sir.
Category: Uncategorized Page 24 of 25
Further to the Post below – Have just heard (17.30) from the Haematology Dept, at Nottingham City Hospital. Hamada’s collection today has yielded just 320,000 stem cells – which although is not very good – does now bring the total over the 2,000,000 mark – which is indeed good news. We now await the Professors remarks.
We have been at Nottingham City Hospital since Sunday evening, Hamada has now managed to ‘harvest’ a further 500,000 Stem Cells on tuesday. We are not so hopeful for today’s collection as the count was down again – as it was on monday. They will let us know later on today, when lab reports are back. It has again been so stressful – not the lovely nurses – they always do their best to make you comfortable – but the waiting is just terrible. We have spent a total of fourteen hours this time, in the clinic over the three days.. ( we would wait forever -if they would just come out !! ) At the moment Hamada has 1,800,000 not quite enough for the transplant.
Hamada is in pain again today but we are managing to get it under control. He really wants to join our house guests – Jen and Ian – at our village pub tonight, for some fun, laughter and a good meal with our friends. He says “you can carry me down, I’m coming”. he has started the GCSF injections for monday, and has now had four. Still smiling and never-ever complaining, but you can tell by his eyes that it hurts !!!! despicable illness, I say.
Dreams of Montazah.
He dreams of Montazah
the palace within his mind,
as he is quietly resting,
I know he goes back in time.
This splendid ‘Salam-lek’ palace
built high on hills above
this turquoise studded jewel,
secluded bay, entwined with doves.
Amid the palms, stands clearly
this monument of love,
this monument of love,
built from finest ‘red bricks’,
a blessing from above.
Smooth and graceful standing proud,
with white ‘najoods’ and sea around,
he would walk in verdant grounds,
in peaceful harmony, no sound.
The quiet of these gardens
lush all, 370 fed-dans,
would take his heart in a myriad walk,
his bare feet, on fine white sand.
He dreams of ‘Montazah’, the palace,
always within his mind,
this paradise inn of time,
he enters gates that keep the crowds at bay,
which for him are opened, every single day.
And when he’s tired of strolling,
I know just where he’ll go
he’ll leave gazelles and rock gardens
and the flowers, he loves so,
he’ll step across the water
to the island of all time
where classical statues never alter,
in plethora, there to stand.
And here he’ll fish or flirt !
or swim, in sunlit sheltered bays
and for a little while,
he remember all those days.
Montazah keeps him peaceful
I see that smile again, and when
he sleeps tomorrow,
he’ll go right back again.
@ Copyright 2007 -Hamada used to walk in these Gardens as a child.
Today we visited Lincoln Hospital again, for the pre-check for next weeks, hopeful third! ‘harvesting’. Hamada’s ‘Hickman’ line was flushed, full bloods taken and these results will be used if required at Nottingham Hospital. It was a quick trip, let’s hope this is a precursor for next week. Hamada is feeling quite good today, not moving very well – but the infection is somewhat better- by Monday I do hope he will be ready. Hamada starts the third course of GCSF injections tomorrow, taking two per day – lets hope they do the trick this time.
How beautiful this Summer day,
the colour of the flower,
I seemed to miss it all today
and often wished a shower,
to match my mood, I’d like today,
rain and thunder all the way.
The snow and hail, they could come,
and even lightning too,
If I could take your pain away,
A hurricane would do.
How beautiful this Summer day,
with not a cloud in sight,
and there you are
again in bed, putting up a fight.
The sun is blazing down the rays,
and when you turn and smile,
I’ll keep you with me, and that gaze,
and never miss the flowers
and if you think I love you less,
I’ll long for summer showers
How beautiful this Summer day,
the stillness of it all,
the sky is brilliant, almost red!
you smile at me, and rest your head.
So does it matter the flowers are out,
does it matter that their blue,
if I could take your pain away,
then this is what I’ll do.
For then the rays, the lovely sun,
the flowers, each and everyone,
I’ll keep you and that lovely gaze
then this will be my Summer day.
@ Copyright 2006
Lilies.
Do you remember long ago
you found that magic place,
where lilies filled most every room
and beds were dressed in lace
the men in polished uniforms
took bags and opened doors,
and the crystal of the chandelier’s
twinkled straight on marble floors
The majesty and splendour of
this, your special place,
was clear as sparkling water
that ran from fountain space.
You sat me by the sea-view
in a chair of plushest silk
the lady with the clear sweet voice
the harp, it’s gentle lilt,
you said my hair was “pretty”
and my dress was “just divine”
and then they brought us pink delights
and goblets full of wine.
The scent from all the lilies
that filled most every room,
could that be what was turning
my heart, amid the blooms,
perhaps it was the dark red wine
perhaps it was your face,
perhaps those gilded bronzes,
I remembered in that place
We walked on Turkish carpets
in rooms of ormolu,
along the ‘china’ terrace
admiring stunning views,
we walked along the waters edge
leaving sandals on the stairs,
still that beguiling smell of lilies,
I wondered where, from here
and as you turned and smiled
coming, face to face……
where lilies filled most every room,
and beds were dressed in lace.
@ Copyright 2006
Manu made this little paper boat for his Grandpa – It says Cancer – Boo and Hiss.
Poor Hamada – back in bed for the whole of this weekend, with yet another cold and now a chest infection. His very much reduced, white blood cells, affect his ability to fight off any infections. So he always succumbs easily. With the continuing severe pain in his spine – it has at times, been difficult to make him comfortable – he has been sleeping most of the time so now I’m really hoping he will be well enough to start his further treatment later this week.
Still, some excellent news from NICE in the media today, about the drug Velcade – thank goodness for that – I believe this new system will help provide many more Multiple Myeloma Patients, who need this drug, to receive it. – See More in Q & A @ www.myeloma.org.uk
When you lived by the Sea.
Down the steep road you went
round the corner, heaven sent.
The long ‘corniche’ and turquoise sea
’twas brilliant sun, when you took me.
With the crowds in summer haze
we joined the throng just to gaze,
little brown boys having fun
chasing in the hottest sun,
and then we stepped, as you took my hand,
along those brilliant, hot white sands.
~
The turkish man with tray on head,
brings the pastries, as you bid,
on kites that fly in cobalt sky,
and when we talked, you and I,
of the future that we planned,
‘snooty’ camels passed at hand,
when you lived by the sea.
~
Snacks from Mama’s cabin there,
we sat in ‘ garland ribboned’ chairs,
little pots of tasty treats,
houmus, tabullah, syrup sweets,
games of cards with sharper boys,
dark skinned men, selling toys,
children laughing, happy fun,
smelling sweetly of the sun.
Yatching club at half past three
always there in time for tea,
when you lived by the sea.
~
Down that steep road we went
round the corner heaven sent.
On the side ‘Old Cecil’ stood
crumbled then, but very good.
Gordon’s Gin they found us there ,
and as we sat in rattan chairs,
breathing in that steamy air.
Silver trays with glasses bright,
we talked and talked into the night,
the punka fan whirled and swayed,
and in the night, I always stayed,
when you lived by the sea…
when you lived by the sea in Alex….
@ Copyright 2006
Photos courtesy : Matt Rutherford
All rights Reserved.
All rights Reserved.
They came to wait,
to listen and to care.
They left their work,
their routines, their lattes,
and their lives,
but still they came.
Just one call,
a Mother’s need,
brought my boys, fast to me.
Nothing seemed as strong that day,
as those two boys,
who came my way.
I leaned towards them,
and broke my heart.
They stood tall and strong,
to share a Mother’s grief.
And they came.
They took the calls,
they took my arm,
they drove the cars,
they helped my heart.
They are my boys,
and they came….
@ Copyright 2006
We collected the G.C.S.F Injections from Lincoln Hospital today – the precious injections that Hamada will start again next Thursday – they stay in the fridge until then -these will hopefully enable the ‘harvesting’ to take place shortly at Nottingham City Hospital. This is now the third try! He has been for a further check-up and ‘flushing’ of the ‘Hickman’ line today. One more visit next week and he is ready to go again. The pain in his back is severe but he feels he does not want more radiotherapy before the stem cell collection.
When he wakes to different days
I play the songs of sweet refrains.
The gentle strains to open eyes,
the sweetness of the days gone by.
The songs of love, the songs of hope,
as eyes and minds adjust to cope.
To waken restfully, to come alive
songs of days to pass the time.
Sweet refrains, and songs of love
just to help, and just to love.
When he wakes to different days
I play the songs of sweet refrains.
@ Copyright 2006
Not a good day today, Hamada has severe pain in his back-I am hoping it is not another fracture – He manages to get up in the mornings with support and such determination, it is painful to watch. Still we have managed a slow walk around our little town, enjoying the sunshine and the fresh air and then a ride down our country lanes -seeing a newly born ‘Lincoln Red’ calf – on our return to the village – Hamada is exhausted but pleased.