The End of an Era

So many people talk about the sacrifices military spouses and children make for their service member. This guy willingly sacrificed, pushing it through 30 years and six months for Mac to have end to end medical, therapy and quality special education services for as long as the Marine Corps would allow him. I am proud and eternally grateful to call him my best friend and first and only husband.

Master Gunz Sonnier

28 Years

Twenty-eight years ago, it was a Friday. I was excited about my date for the evening. He was definitely my type, Louisiana fella with dark hair. He had me smitten for a couple of weeks. After getting over his fear of dating the boss’s daughter (he worked part-time for my parents), he relented to my request for a ride in his new car.

He picked me up and asked what did I feel like doing for the evening? I responded with a timid girly first date line, “it doesn’t matter.”

He answered with the best way to get to my heart. He made me laugh. “How about we go get some bread & bologna and go to a dog fight.” I knew at that moment, he had me.

28 years later, he is still making me laugh, putting up with my messiness, and giving me more than I’ve ever deserved from another human being.

He is an amazing father, husband, son, friend, and Marine. Sometimes I scare myself how much I love him and how much I need him.

#rideordie #endgame #relationshipgoals

life meaning

“Life meaning is always a derivative phenomenon that materializes when we have transcended ourselves, when we have forgotten ourselves and become absorbed in someone (or something) outside ourselves.” Irvin Yalom

August 2021

Oldest and Dearest

I met Tonya Galle and Chuck Latham in 1980 in Ms. Richard’s class at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. Tonya and I were immediately best friends. And Chuckie…..well, he is my first love. Lura Menard and I clicked in 1990 in Coach Lewis’ PE class at Belle Chasse High School sophomore year, we’ve been inseparable since.

Although we’ve lived in different states and towns for the last thirty years, these are the friends who’d help you bury a body and take the secret to their own grave. The friends who’d drop everything and fly to your rescue. The friends who would raise your children if anything ever happened to you.

There is no one on the planet I’d rather have than these roll dawgs.

Eternally yours,

Rosebud aka Stew

Oldest and Dearest

Mac Medical Update

In November, we were optimistic that Mac’s EEG only showed one brief absence seizure trigger by photosensitive (flashing) lights. Unfortunately, on our way back from Louisiana (Dec 30th), Mac had tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure. It was terrifying and treated at the ER. We believe, and his neurologist agreed, the bright sun flashing through the tree line on the interstate triggered the seizure while we were driving.

Today we saw his neurologist for prognosis & treatment. Statically speaking, tonic-clonic seizures are a typical phase of generalized epilepsy once a person with absence seizures reaches puberty. Mac started puberty in January 2019. At this time, you will slowly see a decrease in absence seizures, and tonic-clonic episodes will begin to manifest.

His neurologist reassured us tonic-clonic seizures were treatable with medication, and we had lots of options to choose from to find the right cocktail for Mac. He was hopeful that Mac only had one tonic-clonic since the 30th. We immediately took measures (blue-tinted glasses inside and dark sunglasses outside) to eliminate triggers and prevention.

Mac will be starting Zonegran today for the tonic-clonic seizures and maintaining all his other medications at present levels. We are continuing the Charlotte’s Web CBD oil because the benefits outweigh the cost. Hopefully, one day the FDA will change the required diagnosis for Epidiolex, and we can finally get that prescription filled 🤷🏻‍♀️.

In a nutshell, Mac is in the next phase of generalized epilepsy, and our mission is to medicate, treat, and take all measures to prevent any more seizures.

Thanks for the continued support, thoughts, and prayers for Mac and our family ❤️.