MY FAM HAS BEEN CLANGIN BELLS AND CHEERING SO LOUD…
IF WE FOUND A MOUNTAIN TOP WE’D CLIMB IT, AND SHOUT HOW WE’RE PROUD!
(Can you tell my fave author is STILL Dr.Suess? Some people never grow up. Why should I?)
I gotta, just gotta announce that yesterday, my family joined me to RING out the old and RING in the NEW!
What do I mean? I’ll tell ya what I mean…
I COMPLETED MY RADIATION TREATMENTS, BABY!!!!! OH YEAH!!!!!
Over 6 weeks of daily morning radiation treatments. That’s 34 doses, folks. Whew!
And who better to be at my side to ring that VICTORY BELL than my family?! Normally, with a house full of little ones, the thought of clanging bells is like whispering MacBeth. Ya just don’t do it.
But NOT THIS TIME!!
Yesterday, every last one of my munchkins got a turn to ring that bell with me! (My apologies to the rest of the surrounding Lousianians. I’m sure your ears are still ringing! But I believe these kids, and that Hubbie of mine… they are warriors as well. They earned the chance to ring it just as much as I did!)
(Pics below of all the fun that we “wrung” out of the moment. Wakka Wakka!)
Ding-a-ling-a-ling!! So much fun to ring the HELL out of that BELL!
Everybody got a turn, even our little “Snuggles” gave her own tiny “DING!” 😉
My big bro stopped by to see me through. Who knew that good ol’ rough housing from two big brothers was actually training me for this my whole life? It’s good to be the little sis. You raised me well.
Here’s my “HULK SMASH” pose in front of the machine after my getting dressed from my last treatment. Doubled up with 2 treatments that day in order to “get ‘er done” before the weekend. Last chance for Gamma Rays and Superhero powers!
My daughter (Sidekick) took this shot (which means a lot to me). Many many heroes walk through this door every day. Please consider visiting this website and seeing how you can donate and help their cause. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is one very special place.
How do I feel?
*I feel relieved, that’s for sure. Just think, I get to wake up Monday morning when rushing around is just part of my normal “mommy of 5 chaos”. No extras. Sweet!
*I feel… Umm… err.. “OUCH” That pretty much sums that up. The words “chargrilled”, “tight”, and “sore”, come to mind… but I know it could be worse.
*I feel ready to HEAL! They say radiation has a 1 1/2 week delay on side effects. In other words, my burns will increase for the next week and a half until we’ve caught up to yesterday’s treatment. Then the HEALING CAN BEGIN!!! I am sooo very ready for that. As Lent ends and Easter begins, so the burning will stop and the healing can start. How symbolic! Perfect. Truly perfect.
*I feel like a RABBIT on steroids. Huh?!? I’m craving an Easter basket full of nothing but blueberries, strawberries, vitamin C and E and all the other antioxidants that I can get! Weird, right? During radiation, in order to best attack my cancer cells, I had to remove those parts of my diet to keep them from protecting and putting a barrier around the cells that we wanted to radiate. Felt so weird when all you want to do is have those things when you feel your body under fire (no pun intended). So yes, I will be just like a true Easter Bunny this year. Less candy, more berries and fresh goodness. Heal, baby, heal!
(pic below of the first thing that I rushed home to eat, drink, and put on my skin yesterday…. I’m a freak, right?)
AT LEFT: everything for a delish Shakeology shake AND prep for my XanGo antioxidant Margarita! At Right: My Nerium cream to help my scarring and peeling (not pictured my overflowing shelf of Young Living essential oils)… covering many bases!
Pretty sure I earned myself a Margarita, right? (This matched my antioxidant cravings, honey for the cold & allergies I’ve been trying to kick, and Tequila because.. It’s tequila! Just a little celebration for now. ‘Cuz Mama’s tired, y’all!)
*I feel READY! Ringing this bell marked another notch on my belt on this journey. It’s ok that I’m not finished yet. Sure, I still have my targeted chemotherapy (Herceptin) that I take every 3 weeks, and will through August. Sure I still have a good 2 more surgeries to go. But this is a MAJOR victory!!! Finishing this leg of my treatment is a HUGE one!!!! Supported by so many through your thoughts, love and prayers… I’ve come so far. My family has come so far. Nothing can stop us now. We’re gonna finish this race. We’re gonna keep truckin full force in hopes for remission in the fall and a cure in 5 years as planned. I’m ready! We’ve got this. Better yet, God’s got this!
*Last, but certainly not least, I feel blessed. I know that the gravity of my diagnosis and that I have every day to be thankful for, and I am. Thank you, God, for every minute more that you give me with my family. Life is precious and I am so thankful to have more opportunity to get out there and live it!
I know I ain’t no angel, but I’m ready to fly! With every leg of this journey completed, I fly a little higher.
Thank you to the Big Guy upstairs for that!
It is indeed A WONDERFUL LIFE.
…….
…you may not have been with me then, but you were with me in spirit. So go ahead and click on the link below and dance with me now! I’m a disco baby (went to disco lessons with my amazing mama while I was in the womb. Night Fever was my greatest lullaby! With Radiation behind me, there won’t be any Disco Inferno here. Only bell ringin’.. so click it, baby! You know you wanna Shake Your Groove Thing!
YOU TUBE VIDEO: ANITA WARD- YOU CAN RING MY BELL!
Team Buna 
You rock!
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And so do you!
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I am so excited and thankful for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i am totally going to ring a bell, dance for joy and hit the knees for a HUGE thank you Jesus. Congrats my superhero friend.
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Awe yeah!!! You are the bomb, my friend! You have been such a rockin awesome friend all along. I can’t even tell you how thankful I am. Thanks for ringing the bell with me and dancing til ya sweat! Let your babies cut a rug with ya, with all my babies, too! I love ya!!!
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So excited for you! I got to learn about and become part of Team Buna through my friendship with Adrien Lee (and got the t-shirt too). You’ve been in my prayers and will continue! Praise God!
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This is the best! Adrien has the coolest friends….and now I do, too! Yay!!! Thanks for being part of the team!!
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So happy for you! 🙂
I just had to share (and I swear I’m not some weirdo, stranger, stalker kind of person) that for some reason you popped into my mind while I was at the movies with my daughter this Friday. I said a big ole prayer for you, and I truly felt God’s peace wash over me. Do you ever have those Holy Spirit moments? When God is really telling you something but you don’t know exactly what it is?
Have a blessed Easter with your family. 🙂
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In NOOO way is that wierd. That is amazing!! Thank you!! I have been so touched that you’ve found me and followed me to support me. My family could use every bit of support possible. It’s a true miracle that i’ve passed through each leg of this journey so strong. My docs would all agree, I assure you. It’s because of such support. Thank you!!!!!
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Elise, You are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you and am celebrating this huge milestone along with you and your family. God’s timing is perfect, is it not? Surely, you are Jesus’ favorite!!!
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Elise,
My prayers go up daily for you and your family. My husband lost his 2 year fight to lung cancer almost a year ago and was called home to his heavenly Father. He too was a warrior for Christ and your strength reminds me of his so very much. I have such great respect for you and your fight, and for your supportive family. I pray God’s continued healing hand on you. I pray that you feel HIS arms wrapped tightly around you and your family as you enjoy the gift of every day!!
Karen
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Karen, I am in awe of you and so many families who have survived their cancer warriors who’ve passed. God bless your husband and YOU. You BOTH deserve tremendous respect and have my prayers. I am truly taken back by your words and am so very touched by your thoughts and prayers. Thank you thank you thank you. I am writing your name down in my prayer intention book now.
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Pingback: Fighting the Fight…My Journey | Team Buna
Hi Elise, my name is Joy Broggi and Deacon Pat sent me your link. I had my 1st chemo treatment last Monday. I would love to talk to you when you have time. My email is joybroggi@gmail.com. I am also on Facebook under Joy Broggi. If you contact my I can send you my number. Thanks Joy.
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LOVE FR.PAT! I’ll contact ya shortly 🙂 prayers heading your way as you begin treatment
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