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by | Dec 14, 2007 | 0 Comments

Happy Christmas to Everyone.

Hamada continues at a good pace and did on the 9 December managed to don suit, collar, tie and fedora with a little help, to attend our village Xmas luncheon with a grand crowd of seventy five. It was a fabulous affair with a superb lunch of turkey and all the trimmings which Hamada enjoyed immensely. Our wonderful villagers welcomed him back for his first social outing in many months. It was so lovely for him to see so many friendly faces and many of our great supporters.
Hamada still rests for most of the time, he is still extremely weak and has some difficulty moving about, but getting up now in the early afternoon to enjoy a little television or to read. On bright sunny days we now go for a drive across the wolds, wrapped up well ,Hamada really enjoys this and very slowly he is managing to do more for himself. We are still cautious and as careful about infections as we can be. He will visit with the Haematology department next week and we continue to hope that the blood counts and readings will be good. My best wishes to you all.

Update.

by | Dec 1, 2007 | 2 Comments

Really good news this week, at Hamada’s regular check-ups at Lincoln Hospital. all his readings and counts are up! The Doctor was really pleased at his progress and now believes it will not be long before Hamada can mix again and go to public places and start to lead a more normal life. This is such wonderful news for us, and we plan as our goal, to go to our Village Xmas dinner in two weeks time, even if it’s for a short time – what an achievement that will be! This will mark the start of a more regular life again. He still cannot walk very far and his energy levels are really extremely low. He sleeps straight again after breakfast for a good part of the morning getting up later in the day, but we are managing to extend the time he is up and awake. We are now thinking of Christmas together and of perhaps dare I say the Spring, something we did not believe a few months ago . Thanks again to all at Nottingham – have you any idea what joy you bring to us? to all our supporters, family and friends, who keep up with Hamada’s tremendous journey . He sends all best wishes to you all, as i do .

It is Not Love – If You Must Ask – by Susie Hemingway

by | Nov 10, 2007 | 10 Comments

What is love, I’m often asked
my answer is, it’s not a task,
It’s when you only have to glance,
to make your heart turn in a trance,
when eyes cannot turn away
and when you yearn from day to day,
your soul and mind in endless tune,
it is not love – if you must ask.

What is love, the girls do ask,
when you can trust another soul
with secrets you have never told,
when your mind and heart can blend as one
and when silence, a delight becomes.
When you know that you would walk,
a thousand miles, for eyes and soul,
and just one glance,
it is not love – if you must ask.

What is love, the boys do ask,
it’s when you care more than yourself,
as in your busy days you’ll find, and
when you try another kind!
your mind refuses, turning back
although you try another track,
your heart refuses, to let go,
don’t ask me! for you will always know
it is not love – if you must ask.

It’s when you find the strength that lies
in waiting for the sun to rise
across your soul and heart and mind
a love so pure, the only kind.
It’s when in everyday, a joyous song
a heart that sings, in sweet refrain,
a closeness and a precious gem,
just wait for love, no other kind.

It is not love – if you must ask.


dedicated to my youngest son Yousef – October 30


@ Copyright 2007

by | Nov 9, 2007 | 2 Comments

It is now five weeks since Hamada had his ‘stem cell transplant’ and he is proceeding well. Yesterdays trip to Lincoln Hospital was a really good visit, with blood counts up nicely and kidney function so improved now at 15 and with the news that next Wednesday they are to remove Hamada’s central line (Hickman) which will be done at Lincoln, one less thing to worry about regarding infection. He is also starting a 24hr ‘Bence Jones test’ next Tuesday to test again, the levels of Bence Jones protein in the urine. This will give an indication of how well the transplant has gone. The Doctor seem very pleased with progress so far, reminding us again for the need to be careful about avoiding any infections , Hamada is still wearing a protective mask when entering the Hospital and thoughout each clinic- the single most important piece of advice, hospitals being most dangerous for picking up infections from not only patients but visitors also.

Hamada is still extremely weak and very weary always but he is slowly increasing his food intake and managing to say awake for a little longer each day now.
The above photo shows Hamada trying on his new ‘fedora’ which was brought by our son Jo in readiness for the spring and the walks we shall have together – ‘In Sha’allah’

Update at 3 November 2007

by | Nov 4, 2007 | 3 Comments

Hamada is continuing well. His first check-up was carried out at Lincoln Hospital last thursday, where he continues to have his ‘bard’ line flushed, if he continues well, this will be removed in due course. Then he had bloods taken and although not brilliant, the stem cells do now have a reading of 0.9, which is going in the right direction.

Hamada remains happy and glad to be home, he is extremely weary and has bouts of nausea which slows down the weight gain, still he is now managing small frequent meals and I am pleased to see him eating a little of his favourites. He needs to build on his weight currently 55kg. he sleeps late in the mornings and when awake has been enjoying the view from our windows over looking beautiful farmland and this lovely late autumn sun. He is then glad to be back in bed during the early evening. When visiting the hospital Hamada were a protective face mask for the whole time he was there (a small tip for our friends in the same position). We felt this to be so important to protect him from any infections as he is so vulnerable during this recovery period.

He asks me to thank you all, for the great messages and calls, emails and letters, for all the best wishes and encouragement from everyone following his journey.

Update

by | Oct 26, 2007 | 4 Comments

GREAT NEWS!! After getting back the daily readings, if was decide late afternoon that Hamada, after seventeen days in The Centre For Clinical Haematology, could return home. we made the journey to Nottingham – late yesterday.

Late afternoon he had another red-blood cell transfusion and after leaving most of his hair there! we took him home.

Thanks to Prof. N Russell and his team, what amazing work they do. Thanks also to all the staff on Fletcher ward for their kindness and immense help during this time.

Hamada will now be closely monitored, he still has some sickness and will have frequent check-ups at Lincoln. Now we pray this will give him the longest remission. Thank you all for your wonderful good wishes and support, how lovely to have him home.

Update.

by | Oct 25, 2007 | 0 Comments

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.

THE BEST NEWS – UPDATE.

by | Oct 22, 2007 | 0 Comments

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.

A Teardrop From Your Eye – by Susie Hemingway

by | Oct 17, 2007 | 12 Comments

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

Update 16th

by | Oct 16, 2007 | 2 Comments

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.

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