“Welcome to my home on the internet!”
Lincolnshire’s Poacher Country.
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“For me it’s the breathtaking skies” my answer is always the same when asked, “and what brought a Southern girl to the Lincolnshire Wolds” These giant skies, the backdrop of this gentle, graceful green vista, is for me, the stunning beauty of this enchanting part of England.
I had for some time previously lived in an Oasis town in the Middle East and had become accustomed to the large skies of the desert and had embraced the wonder of such open spaces. So it was with delight, on one warm July day that I came across the charms of the Lincolnshire Wolds, and this place with it’s immediate sense of tranquillity stayed in my memory and heart and drew me years later to my home, in a lovely village which nestles in a valley, alongside the River Bain.
My home overlooks pastures amongst these peaceful farmlands and although now through trouble times – my husband is terminally ill with Multiple Myeloma see http://www.susiehemingway.blogspot.com  – I have at last found the tranquillity I craved.
I shall write of my life in this charming English Village and of the joy and sometimes pain each day brings. I am a Country Lady now and I shall remain so.
The View From My Window.
Something To Soothe.
Hamada enjoying the Sun this week.
** The Beast is Back ! **
Such sad news came to us yesterday at Hamada’s regular clinic at Lincoln County Hospital. The result of the recent Bence Jones test – which is one of the markers used – is at 0.13 which means that, although Hamada underwent a Stem Cell Transplant last October he has only achieved six months remission! The beast is back and the Myeloma is active again. This is devastating news, and with the knowledge that at long last his white cell count is up at 4.05 and he was getting stronger against infections, we had so hoped his remission would have been much longer than this. Hamada has now been offered Velcade ( but not yet awhile), a proteasome inhibitor which is used for people who have previously been treated with chemotherapy and have relapsed. Therefore we will start once again with the battle to fight this wretched disease.
Two Years ~ Anniversary of Diagnosis by Susie Hemingway.
how simply sublime,
my days passed like a struggling river
pushing its direction to the sea,
the fast and furious moments sealed
in vaults of crashing tormented resolve
but stored with crystal clarity.
I stand on the islet like Ishmael
throwing all vehement thoughts in
the stream, torrents of anger,
this sense of sadness
I lay before you and
the currents carry them forth.
Two years, two years!
the river found it hard, the
dams and sluices got in it’s way,
but it’s power pushed them back,
do not give way, my troth intact,
my rage is rushing to the Sea,
for each tiny droplet of strength gathered
will fill the Ocean…
@ Copyright 2008
Update
As the UK bank holiday approaches, we wish all our friends and family a fun spring weekend.
Hamada continues well without any serious problems to attend to. His recovery from his recent bout with pneumonia has been very slow. Most days Hamada returns to sleep, waking only for lunch and then he gets up in the afternoon. I believe he is getting a little stronger, but cannot manage more, he is still very weak. He enjoys some television, light reading and an occasional game of cards, still managing to beat us! He does enjoy all his meals eating really well, he has recently put on some weight and has now reach a remarkable 58kg. He does not venture out much, only for the Hospital visits, but as the weather becomes warmer the garden will beckon d.v. Love to you all from us both.
Going For The Cure
I have just finished reading the engrossing “Going for the Cure” by Francesca Morosani Thompson MD, which although written in 1989 is an inspiration to any patient with Myeloma.
In 1986 Francesca Thompson -a 42 year old orthopaedic surgeon, wife and mother – was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. In February 1987 she became the first patient with Multiple Myeloma to receive an anti-body treated autologous bone marrow transplant. It is written in the form of a present-tense, first person journal. There are many valuable insights about life as a myeloma sufferer and about the process of a stem cell transplant. I found it uplifting and compelling.
Can be found at The International Myeloma Foundation Los Angeles. or http:// www.amazon.com
Rescuing Providence
To spur Hamada onwards a book written by Lieutenant Michael Morse of Providence, Rhode Island, called -Rescuing Providence -and signed especially for him, winged it’s way across the pond this week. Michael Morse has been an EMT and firefighter for 16 years. A highly decorated Lieutenant in the Providence Fire Department, where he works on Rescue 1. This book contains short stories of 34 nonstop hours in the life of a big-city fireman/emergency medical technician. Hamada will enjoy reading how these brave men and woman make such a difference in people’s lives. We too have much to thank our ambulance service for, in the saving of Hamada’s life on two occasions, and I respectfully thank Lieutenant Michael Morse for his wonderful words of encouragement and lovely comments and all good wishes.
http://rescuing-providence.blogspot.com
Just a Little Update
Hamada’s still smiling but,
Secrets Of The Soul – by Susie Hemingway
In purple see the changing light
the stormy days to passive nights,
in secrets of the soul display
a campaign like tinders falls astray,
and yet, as seasons daily change
you adjust to fight on moving range.
In repetition all a part
this set-piece for you
that’s learnt by heart.
I watch thee, I watch thee,
intrepid, fearless
and monumentally brave,
to eagerly face another day,
this gargantuan task,
in febrile waves you make,
the tiny steps you sweetly take.
This rape upon your ravished frame
comes back in haunting waves again,
this personal onslaught so powerfully dealt
in secrets of the soul displayed,
the campaign like tinders falls astray.
And yet in courage you edify
and make my heart to often cry…
@ Copyright 2008
What a great Site !
A really special web-site for all sufferers and carers of people with Cancer can be found at http://www.whatnow.org.uk/
A great place to meet and make friends with others, who have also been affected in some way by Cancer. This most informative site has some great blogs, videos, people to meet, forums for friendly chats and some wonderful photos of celebrities from Mary McCartney, showing pictures of Darcey Bussell, Jude Law, Sir Paul McCartney, Gordon Ramsey and more.
This great web-site is certainly worth a look. I do recommend it.