We are officially on the road to Disney! This is my last blog post before I unplug from social media upon arrival and save all pic posting for the return. We received a big thumbs up from each doctor to go make some memories with our kiddos! We are ecstatic to hear that news, as we’ve been holding our breath, wondering of we’d be able to follow through with our promise to the kids.

However, our results and updates ate positive yet also sprinkled with a few challenges:

• PET scan came back with miraculous improvements!! This new chemo is blowing the tumors within my body away!! That’s just after a PET scan done 2 rounds!! I have completed 3 rounds, but will do another Scan after my 4th coming up right after our trip. If enough progress is made, we may stop chemo right there at 4 rounds!! My body has taken in enough chemo these past few years!🙏
• MRI showed that we will need the Gamma Knife Ion procedure due to some suspicious tumors that are showing up on the scan. I can do it all right here in Baton Rouge, La at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital. They got me right on the schedule for the week that I get back, 2 days after my chemo.👍 They got me in for the Gamma Knife MRI yesterday (this MRI gives the most clarity and gives them best view of what tumors are new growth, old and growing or irregular. Also had a CT scan, all w a personally fitted mask that will be used in the Gamma Knife procedure.
• Soon after my procedure, I will head to MD Anderson the following week (staying there anywhere between 3-5 days for tests and evaluations) to evaluate my current and mostly long term treatment plan while conferring with my docs here all along. Looks like this year I’ll spend my bday there hopefully getting some answers. That would be a gift!

Onward!!!! Let’s do this, my friends! No fear. Whew! I know it sounds crazy, and a lot, but feel much better after talking w Dr.Woods. He reassured me about some of my fear uneasiness of the Gamma Knife. We have the most updated machine in the country! They talked me through it and showed me all that they’d be doing as they fitted me for my mask. They were very reassuring and knowledgable.

I’m in good hands and feel much more secure now with a plan.

Plus…. we still get to take kids to Disney today Friday and this week!!!🎉🎉🎉 Not sure where the energy will come from? Gonns be grace from God, coffee, B12, and a whole lotta CRAZY!🤪

With all this ahead of me, we’ve spoken with the kids, we’ve offered prayers since we’ve been on the road for all of you and said rosaries for those of you who have contributed so much to make this trip possible through DVC pts, Gift cards, other various support and… of course PRAYER! We are beyond grateful, humbled by the sacrifices so many have made for us and prayers offered that keep us going, and are determined to keep paying it forward through our own family and BUNA’S HOPE, LLC., hoping to teach and teach others, including our children how to live life and never lose hope or gratitude in the face of adversity. God’s got us and He will provide if we put our trust in Him. It may not be in the way we planned, but if we look, there are blessings in our storm. It’s not the size of our cross, but HOW we carry it that gives us the chance to transform the weight and sorrow of the cross into hope and life of the resurrection, as it was intended. That’s the glory of the cross. I hope my kids learn from this and live that out as they grow up. When we can do this, we never know when we’re not only changing our own lives, but could be helping someone else grow a little closer to the Big Guy Upstairs!😉 Have a Happy Mardi Gras, Y’all! Laissez Les Bon Temps Roullez! (Let the Good Times Roll!)

Love you all,

Elise/Buna💙