Fighting the Fight…My Journey

From my diagnosis of breast cancer, through my journey to healing (however God chooses that healing to be), I welcome you to walk with me through the ups and downs and all arounds of the good, the bad, and the ugly.  So far, even in the ugly,  we have found beauty in EVERY LITTLE THING.  It’s been a real challenge…. That is, a challenge to not find that there’s a lot of good out there.  I didn’t say it wouldn’t be hard, I just said it’s still gonna be real, real good.

Thanks to all of you and thanks to God, too.

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bird and rosary

My Diagnosis: Coffee Grinds, Rosary Beads, ….and Chemo

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mommy4kidsbeach

In This Moment . . .

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BLUEHAIRBEANIE

Off the Top of My Head:  The Hair Transformation

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messy

Down and Dirty

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myboys

THE DUDE:  He Makes Me, He Breaks Me . . . Mother-Son Lovin’

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You've had the power within you along, holy spirits been doin his thing a long time, girlfriend

O Vanity of Vanities. Who Needs Hair?

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flyinjudebeach

Free Falling

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me and my man

Wiggin’ Out

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geaux pink

My Biggest Hurdle: “I Got This Syndrome”

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-10-LIFE IS BETTER WHEN YOURE LAUGHING

 

CHEMO AMMO

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mr miagi and danielson

6 Secrets of a Chemo Ninja/Prayer Warrior

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MOMMY HUGS 4 FAVE

“Being Mommy”…Cancer Can’t Have That, Too

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i can

Pickin’ Battles to Win the War: How to Keep Goin’ When “Life” Gets in the Way

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OCD Christmas Disorder

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

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nervous breakdown

2015: BRING IT ON

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SURGERY? AIN’T NOTHING BUT A THANG

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madea hallelujer

DRUMROLL… PLEASE

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LIFE

LIFE …Is a Precious ROLLERCOASER

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am i screwing them all up

5 LITTLE FACES LOOKING BACK AT ME

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nothings gonna stop us now

LAST CALL

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beast mode on

BEAST MODE: RADIATION FIANL HOURS

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NORA RINGS THE BELL

YOU CAN RING MY BEEEEEELL..(Vicotry Bell for the End of Radiation!)

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BLONDIE’S MAKING A COME BACK: BYE BYE BEANIES

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Have Courage And Be Kind: A Letter to My Kiddos

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CONSIDER THIS DIEM… CARPED

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gilda radner quote about life

God’s Little Comedienne

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multi slacking

When to Hold Em … When to Fold Em

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mother's intuition

NEARLY 1 YEAR AGO: ANNOUNCING MY DIAGNOSIS

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dance to the glory of god

DANCIN’ IN THE RAIN

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winner3

And the winner is.. (Team Buna Pic Contest)

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hallelujer

Hallelujer: Victory Bell Ringer Right Up in Here Yall

(End of ALL Chemo/ Infusions)

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GOOFY FAM

SPLIT PERSONALITIES, SAND CASTLES, AND SCAN RESULTS

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tone loc let's do it

LET’S DO IT- TONE LOC: Ready for LAST SURGERY

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break on through

BREAK ON THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE: POST-OP “LAST SURGERY”

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image

ROCK THE RUNWAY- YouNight Tickets!!

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coffee love

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS

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fight like a girl

GEAUX PINK AIN’T JUST A FASHION STATEMENT

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I DRINK WINE IN YOGA PANTS

How Buna’s Getting Her Groove Back

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no matter how you feel dress up never give up

My view from the Fence:  Getting back into LIFE after Cancer

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to be seen as we truly are

 Catwalks, Fairy Godmothers and Cinderella Survivors

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tinsel in a tangle

Pay it Forward for PEACE.  Buna’s Christmas Challenge

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hello goodbye doormat

GOODBYE HELLO: HARD GOODBYES AND NEW BEGINNINGS

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signature

Welcome! Meet Elise…Aka: “Buna”

Allow me to introduce myself.

This was me then…

Elise Black & White

…and just 2 months later, this is me now. Both the same Elise. The same “Buna” (pronounced “Boo-Nuh“) to my friends and family.  But, now, somehow, although battling for my life, I’m more free than ever.

 CB4_1543

Every doctor visit, every prayer, when I just couldn’t focus to pray anymore but wanted to rest in God’s arms, this song would pop in my head: “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley.  I hear it everywhere.  It’s in my heart, it’s on the radio, it’s on t.v.  3 little birds are always together in my backyard, or on my tree.  Each time I’ve been in the hospital, I look outside and see 3 birds together on a branch near my window.  Not 2, not 4, but 3…. and at my doorstep.  God sings Rasta, Baby.  God is beyond cool, and He’s got this all figured out.  He’s got me and my family.  So… please, pray with us.  And when you wanna worry, cast it all back on God (Phillippians 4:6-7) and sing this song with me, it’s kinda become the TEAM BUNA mantra:

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3 Little Birds”… A tribute to my new muse, Bob Marley

Don’t worry about a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right! “

Rise up this mornin’,
Smile with the risin’ sun,
Three little birds
Each by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin’, (“This is my message to you-ou-ou: “)

Singin’: “Don’t worry ’bout a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right.”
Singin’: “Don’t worry (don’t worry) ’bout a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right! “

Rise up this mornin’,
Smiled with the risin’ sun,
Three little birds
Each by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin’, “This is my message to you-ou-ou: “

Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. Don’t worry! “
Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing” – I won’t worry!
“‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right.”

Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right” – I won’t worry!
Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right.”
Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing, oh no!
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right!

#TeamBunaELT

(Team Buna Every Little Thing)

bobmarleyyouneverknowhowstrongyouare

I might add to Marley’s words that I am not strong enough on my own.

But God is bigger than little ol’ me.

God is stronger and HE is all powerful.  With God’s strength, and YOUR prayers,  WE HAVE GOT THIS.

As some of my past students have coined the phrase:

“One Team, One fight”

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Lord,

I give you my body.  I give you my worries.  I give you my family.  I give you my kids, for they were never mine in the first place.  I give you my cancer and all that it entails.  I place my life and my family’s daily life struggles and joys in your hands. 

Your will be done.

Amen

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