September 2023 ALT Magazine

From the Publisher...

Children…

As a young person, I always wanted children…a boy and a girl. For me, wishes do come true. I have a very handsome son and a beautiful daughter. I love both of them with my whole being. Although life has had its ups and downs, with many stressful times, they made it through my less-than-great parenting at times! We all make mistakes.

We chose this month to highlight childhood cancer awareness. I cannot imagine what parents go through when they are told their child has cancer or the struggle they face each day they battle it. For some, the battle is lost. There is joy for others as they celebrate that their child is cancerfree. Either way, the battle is the worst thing a parent can face.

Tears streamed down my face as I read about the children highlighted this month. From very young babies to adolescents, it’s just not fair. Nor is it fair that any child, especially one so sick and fighting for life, should be abused by other children. Mean kids.

Awareness is needed to ensure that not only do people know what to look for but for parents to teach their children compassion for anyone who is “different” from them. They should have compassion, whether they are sick, a “nerd” like I was, a different color, or whatever makes them different. As I told my children, don’t say anything if you have nothing good to say.

Although I did not have to face this myself, I have friends whose children have had cancer or other catastrophic events happen to them. Mean kids cause many problems for these children, and with social media now, the results can be worse than ever.

Please take the time to read about these amazing children. I pray no one ever has to go through their pain. I pray that someday soon, a cure will be found. I pray that this reaches everyone who needs to know compassion and gives it to kids in need.

May God bless you and yours…

STILL TOUCHING LIVES TODAY A story of a brave teenager whose testimony continues today

By: Anne Granado

In 2016, Michelle Cox and her husband, Matthew, took their twelve-year-old daughter, Chloe Cox, to Texarkana ER for what they thought was a concussion from Chloe’s latest soccer game. However, Dr. Young saw something troubling on the CT scan, and Chloe was referred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, for an MRI. Michelle did not know how to take the diagnosis—it all seemed surreal. At the time, the Coxes were living the American dream. Michelle Cox worked at Studio 360, and her husband, Matthew, worked at Red River Army Depot. They were the proud parents of three girls: Courtney Cox Foster, Corey Cox, and Chloe Cox. When Michelle and Matthew were not at work, they joined the girls in various activities and stayed busy. No one could imagine that their youngest daughter—a healthy, athletic, and lively girl—would experience a health scare like this one.

On the drive to Little Rock, Michelle, and her husband, Matthew, were still in disbelief. Michelle says that she asked herself, “How did this happen?” and “Why did this happen?” over and over as they awaited results from the MRI, and when the doctors came in, their lives were forever changed. The scan showed that Chloe had a growing tumor on her brain and spine.

Despite facing the impossible, the family’s faith in God kept them going, and the community rallied behind them to support Chloe. After her first surgery and more tests, the doctors diagnosed Chloe with aggressive grade four glioblastoma multiforme in the pineal region, the center of her brain. The location of the tumor made surgery very difficult. Still, Chloe did undergo a second surgery that removed 80% of the tumor. After recovery, Chloe and Michelle moved to Houston so that Chloe could receive IMRT VMAT radiation with chemo at M.D. Anderson for the next two months. “At the time, I remember thinking that the things we always thought were so important were not,” Michelle says. “As parents, we get caught up in work, things to take care of at home, after-school practices four times a week, and sporting events. We would go on a family vacation once a year–if we were lucky and nothing unexpected came up. We have realized that even though we have always been involved parents, sometimes our life was so chaotic that we forfeited true sit-down dinner time and family time because we were going in opposite directions with three active kids. There will always be a house to clean, overtime to work, and sporting events to go to, but life

is short, and you never know when you might look up and a loved one isn’t there anymore. I advise all parents to stop, breathe, enjoy the moment, and get to know their kids again.”

As Michelle and Chloe spent more time together, Michelle was amazed at her daughter’s giving, loving, selfless spirit. Chloe was always looking for ways to help others, and her diagnosis did not make her bitter or angry. Instead, Chloe seemed more determined than ever to give back and make a difference. While she was at M.D. Anderson, Chloe started a blanket ministry to help bring children joy and comfort when they came to the hospital. Each blanket was embroidered with her customized design: angel wings of protection with an arrow in the middle. Her favorite scripture was underneath: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Philippians 4:13.

In the fall of 2016, the family felt hopeful. Chloe was given a trip to Disney in Orlando with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the family made great memories throughout the holidays. In January 2017, Chloe was given the opportunity to go to her school and speak to the prayer group about her diagnosis. “She gave an amazing testimony that we still share to this day. She showed tremendous faith and emphasized that whether she would be healed on earth or somewhere else, she knew without a doubt that she would ‘Never give up and never give in,’” Michelle says.

In March, Chloe had the opportunity to meet Joel and Victoria Osteen the Sunday before her next test results. At that time, the family learned that Chloe’s tumors were shrinking. “We were over the moon with excitement, believing she was gonna beat this!” Michelle says. “But, about four weeks later, they found a strange new tumor at the tip of her spine, which was odd. To our horror, it was glioblastoma. It had developed in a place the doctor said could only have been from a piece of tissue from the original

resection surgery that had been dropped and basically seeded there.”

Chloe immediately underwent another surgery to remove the tumor to decrease the risks of permanent paralysis, and soon after, Chloe seemed stable. However, she continued to have neck pain. Then, in July, the Coxes were given a trip to Destin, where they spent the Fourth of July—not realizing that it would be their last vacation together as a family. “We traveled home July 9th, and then she and I left the next day for Houston and test results,” Michelle says. “We were not ready to hear what we did, but Chloe was so sick I had a horrific feeling in my gut all the way there.”

On July 11, 2017, the doctors explained that Chloe’s tumors had grown 10 times, and she only had about 2-6 months left. “I will never forget that day as I drove home with her alone. I was talking to her and mentioned we had to pick her medicine up when we got home, and she said faintly, ‘Mom, you know I won’t need that medicine much longer.’ I tried to stay positive and replied, ‘I know, baby, because you’re gonna beat this,’” Michelle says. “A few moments of silence passed by, and she said, ‘Momma, promise me something…promise me that whatever happens, you and daddy will never lose faith,’ and it took everything I had in me to keep her from seeing me cry as I made her that promise.”

Chloe left this world on July 26, 2017, two and a half weeks later. She never lost faith in God or His will for her life. “Chloe slept with her Bible every night. She would get up in the morning and read and pray. We would listen to Joel Osteen during our trips, and she loved how he always broke the ice with a little joke that would make her giggle,” Michelle says. “Chloe was the glue of our family. Her faith, strength, and courage during such a horrific time in her life kept our family going. And, her example of faith and believing has continued to keep us where we are today.”

Like many families facing a bitter diagnosis like childhood cancer, Michelle had moments of grief and sorrow that caused her to question God’s plan. “I believe that most Christians have faith and hope even during trying times, knowing that God is not the author of death but the giver of the very breath of life, and I believe Chloe knew that with all of her heart that if she couldn’t live here with us, she would live life in a new place with a new body. I don’t think she feared death in this world because she knew that He had something bigger and better prepared for her,” Michelle says. “Don’t get me wrong; she wanted to be healed and share her testimony with others to help them through their hard times. I truly wish her healing had been with us, but her testimony is firm today. She remains a light for so many.”

However, even faith did not keep Michelle and Matthew from asking themselves if there was something more they could have done. As they played through the scenarios repeatedly, Michelle

says that they finally found peace, knowing that she and Matthew did everything humanly possible to search for information, new trials, treatments, doctors, and hospitals. “Chloe’s doctor at M.D. Anderson told us that because of our positive outlook and the way we cared for her, Chloe did not suffer. We kept her covered in essential oils, topically and aromatically; we played Christian music nonstop; we used honey and alkaline water to keep her from receiving any burns during radiation; and we gave her vitamins and juices. We also balanced her diet to keep her hemoglobin levels where they needed to be so she wouldn’t miss one chemo treatment. Brain tumors are the hardest types of cancer in children to treat, and I know we tried everything that we could possibly do,” Michelle says. “The only other thing I wish I would have done was to take more videos and pictures with her and our family. Recently, after Chloe’s sixth heavenly birthday, we received voice recordings of Chloe from my sister. They were taken during her last week of life, and she was so weak and faint, but we will cherish those sweet messages for the rest of our lives.”

Though Michelle wishes that no other parent would have to face what her family went through, she knows that, unfortunately, so many do. Her advice is to keep a positive outlook, no matter the diagnosis. “There is absolutely no way of knowing if or when God will intervene. There is always hope for a miracle because we don’t get the last say-so,” Michelle says. “One thing I am thankful for is that my family has finally shared some of our feelings and issues from dealing with Chloe’s passing. We learned that we were each trying to protect each other by not discussing it initially. The silence often destroys families who go through the loss of a child and sibling. Thankfully, we have stuck together and learned to listen when the time comes.”

The Coxes also find solace in keeping Chloe’s story alive. They continued her blanket ministry until COVID when blankets could not be brought into the hospitals. They also shared her story through Facebook until a recent hack led to a deleted profile. In addition, Chloe wrote down her testimony before she passed, and her family printed it and placed it in Bibles to pass out to the community. They have passed out Bibles at Fields of Faith and Chloe’s school.

Furthermore, the Coxes have a 501(c)3 organization, Chloe’s Journey of Faith, and a memorial scholarship. They also try to provide help and direction to other families facing a similar situation.

“Chloe’s life and legacy have truly touched so many people’s lives. I recently

heard from a friend that someone had told his daughter a message Chloe had given to a classmate. She told her classmate to “be slow to anger and find her peace,” and she has kept Chloe’s words with her to this day,” Michelle says.

“When you hear that seven years later, Chloe and her words are still being thought of, you realize that her life and suffering were not in vain. Her story had a much bigger purpose.”

In their own tragedy, Michelle says they have learned so much and keep their door open to share their experiences with anyone who asks. However, they have also learned how each family’s experience is different. For example, they’ve learned that some families have had to address their child being bullied. “Kids facing diagnoses like this miss out on many ‘normal’ parts of being a kid. They are forced to go through excruciating pain and probing. They live within the walls of a hospital away from home and family for long periods of time,” Michelle says. “They just want to be normal and not be looked at differently.”

Michelle says that Chloe’s main concern was being a burden to her family. Chloe was only 12 years old at the time of her diagnosis. She was heading into the 7th grade, excited about making the volleyball team, but she never got to be a part of that team. She wanted to get back to school with her friends, and she never did. Chloe could visit her school for one day, but it was during 13 months of fighting for her life. “Kids like Chloe, currently battling cancer or other diseases, are fighting for their life and just looking for an inkling of a normal moment in life. They should never have to face the bullying of another child or parent,” Michelle says. “I urge parents to educate their children on childhood cancer/diseases and how to be a supportive friend, not a bully.”

Facing life without Chloe is still a daily struggle for the Cox family, but they always find a way to keep her memory alive. “Often we talk about Chloe, and sometimes we even say things like ‘Chloe would approve,’ or ‘Chloe would not approve,’” Michelle says. “I think her faith and endurance have driven us all closer to God, and we have learned to look at life like Chloe did. She always saw the glass as half full, and her positive outlook inspires each one of us to this very day.”

A Note from the Doctor...

Dr. Cindy Porter is a pediatrician at Collom and Carney Clinic in Texarkana, Texas. However, she still remembers being a University of Tennessee Medical School resident from 1993-

1996, when she worked at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Danny Thomas, St. Jude’s founder, had a vision that a child and his family should not have to worry about finances and focus on their health and cure. He made it a reality. No one gets a bill. Before they check out, children get medications they will need until their next visit,” Dr. Porter says. “From my time there, I learned that cancer has no limits and that the hematologist/ oncologists at St. Jude are amazingly dedicated to their patients.”

Dr. Porter says that whenever she emails her colleagues at St. Jude, they are always eager to help and respond immediately. “Often, they will call the parents on their cell while the family travels to St. Jude to provide support and discuss what will happen next. It’s not a nurse or admin that calls them; it’s the oncologist. When they arrive, a packet is ready for them with places to stay arranged,” Dr. Porter says. “There is now a St. Jude in Shreveport where patients can receive treatment after initial diagnosis and plan made.”

Dr. Porter says that one of the most challenging tasks she has ever faced was to walk into a room and tell a family that their baby/child has cancer. “It’s heartbreaking for everyone. Parents face the unknown for them. They have to travel to a cancer center for children. They are surrounded by strangers who give them percentages of outcomes, diagnosis, treatment plans, and tests after test,” Dr. Porter says. “I must say the oncologists at St. Jude are some of the most compassionate people I have ever met. Their goal is to conquer cancer and not forget the people involved.”

Bullying and Childhood Cancer Patients

Though highlighting childhood cancer’s journey can give others hope, some young men and women would rather not be in the spotlight. This month, one of our young survivors struggled to find a “new normal” after cancer. Her mom says it breaks her heart that her daughter doesn’t see herself as a survivor. “She has been bullied by kids who told her that the only reason people like her is because she had cancer. Hopefully, once she gets older, she will understand that she is so much more than the girl who had cancer,” her mom says. “She’s really struggling with ‘Why can’t I be like other kids?’”

This young girl is also facing the long-term effects of chemoradiation. Her past trauma gets triggered every time she has to go to the doctor. “She’s starting to notice that it’s not normal to be at the doctor all the time,” her mom says. “She asks why her sisters never have to go to the doctor.”

This survivor’s mother sought help from a counselor for her daughter, but instead, her daughter saw the appointment as “just another doctor” that she had to see. “I remember everyone saying that she wouldn’t remember that time of her life, but she is like an elephant–she remembers,” her mom says. “Our school

has done amazing showing childhood cancer awareness, but last year my daughter dreaded it. She hated to be in the spotlight and for anyone to bring it up. She also missed so much school last year because of doctor’s appointments that she barely passed.”

However, this survivor’s mom is hopeful for a better year. The family is moving, and she is homeschooling her daughter to provide a better environment. “We hope that these changes will allow her to move on in a better way. If we go where no one knows us, the only time her cancer will be brought up is when she wants to talk about it,” her mom says. “I really hope other survivors and their families don’t have to deal with this bullying issue.”

Holding onto Hope for Ryder

Davy and Emily Troup’s six-month-old son, Ryder, suddenly quit sleeping through the night, and instead, he would cry out multiple times. David and Emily initially thought their son may be experiencing bowel issues. However, after numerous blood workups, x-rays, and visits to his primary care doctor, the Troups still had no answers, and Ryder’s outbursts became more frequent. “One evening, my father-in-law was changing Ryder’s diaper and noticed that he was having difficulty urinating. Ryder began to cry. My father-in-law pressed on his bladder, which was hard as a rock. We called the doctor, and she treated him for a UTI,” Emily says. “We were instructed that if the symptoms did not improve in a few days, we should bring Ryder in.”

The symptoms did not improve, and on April 1, 2020, Ryder was admitted to St. Michael’s Hospital for an ultrasound. “Little did we know that our lives were about to change forever. I remember standing there watching the ultrasound take place. I don’t know how to read ultrasounds, but something about it looked off to me,” Emily says. “I remember the doctor coming in with a manila envelope and asking how quickly we could leave for Little Rock to go to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She explained that they found a large mass in our 11-month-old baby’s bladder. Of course, we said that we could leave immediately.”

Once they were discharged from St. Michael’s, the Troups left for Little Rock, Arkansas, two and a half hours away, but all Emily could do was cry the whole way there. “Not only did we have a sick baby, but we had to leave our three-year-old little girl at home with family, and she didn’t understand what was going on,” Emily says. “Even though we hadn’t got the official confirmation it was cancer, we just knew.”

In addition, since Ryder’s admission to the hospital came during the pandemic, only Ryder and Emily could go into the hospital, which was upsetting. “We were scared to death, and now, I had to be without my husband, our supporter,” Emily says.

After twelve long hours of testing, Ryder was moved to the hematology/oncology unit. Emily remembers that it was six

o’clock in the morning. “I was exhausted, crying, and holding my very sick baby alone. I remember the nurse telling me that everything would be alright, that Ryder was exactly where he needed to be, and that she would try to get my husband a pass to come in,” Ryder says. “Dr. Douglass, our oncologist, met with us soon after. He explained that he was confident it was Rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder.”

Then, on April 4, 2020, as Emily was sitting in Ryder’s room holding him, the doctor confirmed their worst fear: Ryder had Stage 3 Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder, and his tumor was inoperable. “We were so angry and hurt. Most of all, we were scared to death that we would lose our child. I can’t put into words the exact feeling at that moment. It’s almost like being numb and the world moving around you, but you’re not moving with it,” Emily says. “It is definitely a feeling I would never wish on anyone!”

When Ryder was diagnosed, Emily and Davy knew their lives would change drastically. Their new normal turned into living on the road, being away from their daughter and other family, making numerous emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and dealing with the side effects of chemotherapy and proton therapy. “When you are in that situation, it just becomes a normal part of your everyday life,” Emily says. “Ryder and Piper, his sister, kept us going on the tough days. No matter what Ryder was going through or how he felt, he always had a smile on his little face. He would smother us with sweet baby kisses and hugs. He filled the car, hospital room, or wherever he was with laughter and joy, and Piper always reminded us of our faith and love. Piper never failed to tell us every day that she prayed that God would heal her brother. Hearing those words come from a three-year-old’s mouth was such a powerful feeling.”

Piper was always so excited when Ryder, Emily, and Davy would return home after being away for treatments or hospitalizations. “The way she would jump in our arms and hug us as if we were gone for a year was one of the best feelings,” Emily says. “Then getting to see Ryder and Piper back together playing, watching TV or a movie, or falling asleep together reminded us of how much they needed each other, and in the hardest of times, our prayer and faith really brought us through. Everything we have, we have the Lord to thank for.”

Fortunately, Ryder was too young to understand

the magnitude of his diagnosis. In fact, as time went on, Emily says that you could tell that some of it became “normal” to him. “At only thirteen months old, he would lay on the hospital table and willingly let a nurse access his port which was used to administer his chemotherapy, fluids, and medications. He did not cry or move during this process. At this time, he would willingly sit for blood pressure and temperature,” Emily says. “That is still true today, even though Ryder is four-years-old. However, the treatment was very rough on his little body.”

At first, Ryder took multiple chemotherapy drugs to help fight his cancer. The family traveled every Wednesday to Little Rock for treatment. Then some weeks, Ryder would have chemo every day for five days straight, during which the Troup family had to stay in a hotel. “That was so hard because we had to be away from our family. It was also hard having a thirteen-month-old who got into everything in the room! He definitely kept us on our toes chasing him around,” Emily says. “During this time, we also couldn’t really get out of the room due to the pandemic. In addition to these treatments, Ryder received a chemotherapy drug every six weeks during an overnight hospital visit to receive extra fluids that pushed the chemo through his bladder.”

Through it all, the Troups were very impressed by so many of the doctors and nurses who took care of their family during this difficult time. “Dr. Douglass is Ryder’s Oncologist at Children’s. He is a great doctor who really cares for his patients and makes sure you understand every little detail of the diagnosis, treatment plan, and anything that is going on at that time,” Emily says. “The nursing staff at Children’s is amazing as well. There are so many that I can’t name them all, but they will never know how much we truly appreciate them. Dr. Canon was Ryder’s urologist during this time. He was amazing as well. He was thorough and followed Ryder’s case closely; he was always there when needed.”

Ryder also received proton therapy with Dr. Mangona at Texas Center for Proton Therapy in Irving, Texas. “If you are unfamiliar with proton therapy, this was his radiation. They use protons to destroy cancer cells,” Emily says. “Dr. Mangona and his staff made Ryder feel right at home and always had a treat waiting for him.”

Even though the Troups were treated well by doctors and staff, the treatments were hard on the family because they were very hard for Ryder. Many days, Ryder would vomit after treatment because it nauseated him. He would also have strong, acidic diarrhea that would break his bottom out. Other times, the treatment would make him so tired that all he would do was lay on the couch snuggled up with family. “Treatment is hard to watch your child go through, but it is vital for their battle with cancer. Even on the tough days, the nursing staff would get him snacks, drinks, toys, and even have fun activities for him to do to keep his mind off of everything going on around him,”

Emily says. “I would say the kindness and compassion of others helped him through the tough times. Nurses and doctors came to see him, even if he wasn’t their patient that day. He would light up and really enjoy their company. The hospital staff really does become a part of your family.”

Through this experience, the Troup family has learned never to take a second for granted. They urge parents to enjoy the little things in life, like board games, coloring, or even sitting in a room together in silence. “You learn to be grateful for every good and bad day in your life,” Emily says. “Our family has also learned how strong physically, mentally, and emotionally a child can be. Most days through Ryder’s treatment, you wouldn’t even know he had cancer unless you were told. He really woke up every single day and pushed to be the best version of himself he could be that day.”

Emily says that patience has been another important part of facing a cancer diagnosis. “You must be patiently waiting in the waiting room to be called back. You must be patient and wait for the chemo to arrive on the unit. You have to be patient for the chemo to be administered over a number of hours; patient to see treatment results; patient to deal with a sick and vomiting child when they can’t handle the treatment,” Emily says. “We also learned to have patience with God to heal your child or for His will to be done.”

The Troups say that the best advice they can give to other parents and caregivers is that even when the days are long and hard, never turn away from the positive aspects. “Always be thankful for every little thing through your child’s journey. They may be down and not themselves, but at least they woke up another day. At least you get to hug their neck and tell them how much you love them,” Emily says. “I would also advise other parents or caregivers that just because your child gets a cancer diagnosis doesn’t mean that it’s a death diagnosis. When Ryder was first diagnosed, I was so upset, thinking we would lose him. It wasn’t until further testing and speaking with his doctors, did we understand that he had a great chance of beating this cancer.”

After months of traveling, worrying, and praying, the Troups saw Ryder overcome his cancer, and he is still in remission three years later. “If you are religious, and even if you are not, keep your faith in God. It is ok to be angry with Him and hurt, but don’t stay that way

forever,” Emily says. “Lay your concerns and thoughts on Him, and I promise He will guide and direct you.”

Today, Ryder is a rambunctious and rowdy four-year-old. He loves to play outside, roll around in the dirt and mud, play Minecraft, ride the four-wheeler with his dad, wrestle with his sister, and give his baby brother plenty of hugs and kisses. “Ryder is exceptional because he is a survivor, and he’s a great example of physical and mental strength,” Emily says. “He gets to be a normal, hard-headed, four-year-old boy who goes to school and comes home bouncing off the walls. While he travels every four months to Arkansas Children’s for a scan to ensure his cancer is still in remission, he shows us how to be brave and what a true miracle is in our time of life.”

Emma: A True Blessing to All

Shelby and Bobby Marrale were blessed with a sweet baby girl, Emma Jean Marrale. However, Emma started getting sick when she was about seven months old and regularly threw up her formula/food. She also developed the habit of leaning her head to one side consistently. Shelby and Bobby took her to the doctor with concerns about her dehydration after vomiting. They hospitalized her so that she could start an IV for fluids, and after a few nights, the doctor on call saw her and said, “Oh, this is just a bug and a crick in her neck. She’s fine to go home.” Unfortunately, her condition did not get any better.

Less than a week later, the Marrales took Emma back to her physician, and this time, the physician ordered a CT scan. “We were able to get the CT scan that day, and after a few hours, Emma’s doctor called us back up to her clinic and told us she found a mass growing very close to the brain stem,” Shelby says. “Come to find out, the tumor was growing in the part of the brain that triggers you to vomit, and tilting her head was Emma’s way to get some of the pressure off her brain stem. The tumor had gotten so large that it wasn’t allowing her fluid to drain down her brain stem and into her spinal cord.”

When she heard the word “tumor,” Shelby felt like she had just been punched in the gut. “It didn’t feel real. It still kinda doesn’t,” Shelby says.

Emma was diagnosed with Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT), a rare type of cancer that affects only three percent of the children diagnosed with brain cancer, and she underwent her first brain surgery at Medical City in Dallas days after finding out she had a brain mass. They could retrieve most of the tumor but had to leave the part closest to the brain stem because they feared they would nick her brain stem if they got too close. “We went to St. Jude in Memphis, TN, after the surgery. We were there for almost a year and were on a trial protocol called SJATRT,” Shelby says. “While we were there, Emma had four rounds of chemo, and each round had four different types of chemotherapy, one of which was the trial drug called Alisertib.”

After her chemotherapy, Emma had to have a second brain surgery to remove the residual tumor, and again they could not get all of it. “For the second surgery, we were at Le Bonheur in Memphis, a hospital that worked very closely with St. Jude. Since St. Jude is a research hospital, they don’t technically provide large surgeries like that,” Shelby says. “After she healed from surgery, she underwent localized proton radiation. She was so young that full-body radiation wasn’t an option. We did that five days a week for six weeks.”

Through it all, Shelby says that Emma was a true blessing, “During every surgery, every procedure, every hospital stay, she was the light. Her smile was infectious. There was not a point in time (other than appearance) that you could tell she was going through cancer treatment. She was always giggling and interacting. She was just the happiest baby, regardless of her condition,” Shelby says. “I strive to be more like her every day.”

Even with the extensive treatment and positive outlook, Shelby and Bobby faced the loss of their baby girl on May 16, 2017, just eight months after her diagnosis. “My husband and I have been able to lean on each other for support through some of the toughest days. We try to look to the Lord for peace on the hard days and for a little understanding on the days that don’t seem as hard,” Shelby says. “We had an amazing support system while Emma was at St. Jude. I honestly had all the faith in the world that Emma would be cured, so it didn’t even register that this was terminal until her follow-up scan after treatment. It was then they told us there really wasn’t much more they could do for her diagnosis.”

Bobby and Shelby were devastated by the loss of their baby girl, and their advice to all parents is to not take things for granted. “Don’t sweat the small stuff. All the pettiness in the world feels so insignificant. Draw closer to the people you love, and thank God for all the days He has given you with them,” Shelby says. “For those facing a hard diagnosis, take it one treatment, one day, one second, one breath at a time. Don’t let this overwhelm you; leaning on one another in difficult moments is ok. But most importantly, soak up all the precious memories with your kids.”

Live Like Garrett

Will and Traci Garvin are the proud parents of 18-year-old Garrett Garvin, also known as G-Man. Traci says that Garrett is happy, fun, loving, and adventurous. “He has a beautiful smile and an infectious laugh. He is a fabulous swimmer; we call him a ‘fish.’

He has a mischievous side, but how could he not? He’s a Garvin!” Traci says. “Garrett loves music. He loves to wear black on black, and I call him Johnny Cash when he does this! He loves to travel. He loves to fly. He loves his family and his phone.”

Traci said that one of Garrett’s friends, Izzy Hice, posted a hashtag about Garrett on Traci’s Facebook recently. It says #livelikeGarrett, and Traci mentions it is very accurate to Garrett’s philosophy: enjoy life and make the most of everything. “After hearing all this, what may surprise you is that Garrett has autism and is semi-verbal,” Traci says.

On November 22, 2018, Garrett slipped on tile getting out of a built-in bathtub, and his arm swelled up during the night. Traci and Will put ice packs on it and gave him ibuprofen, and the knot on his arm went down some but was still very tender. They ended up taking him to the doctor. They x-rayed and verified that there was not a broken bone. After a few days of at-home treatment, the swelling went away. Then, on March 24, 2019, Garrett’s arm swelled up in the same spot, but there wasn’t a fall or injury to cause it this time.

An x-ray at Healthcare Express showed what looked like a gray ball on his bone, and the doctor suggested an MRI to rule out a bone cyst. However, Traci worried about Garrett being able to stay still for 45 minutes during the MRI, so they collected the film from Health Care Express and the film from their previous x-ray and traveled the next day to the Emergency Room at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Garrett was checked out by the nurse, who then took both films to be reviewed. Eventually, they were moved to a private room, and Traci and Will were pulled into the hallway. “We were informed that they believed Garrett had cancer and that Garrett was being admitted to the hospital. I don’t remember much else that they said,” Traci says. “I went numb, and my mind was racing.”

The following morning, March 27, 2019, they met with Dr. Corey Montgomery, a surgeon and tumor specialist, who performed a biopsy. “Dr. Montgomery spoke with us while Garrett was in recovery. We had so many questions, and he was so kind. He told us he did not believe we were dealing with osteosarcoma but most likely Ewing’s Sarcoma, which we had never heard of. When the biopsy results returned on April 3, 2019, his beliefs were confirmed,” Traci says. “Honestly, I was in shock, and God love my husband; he just reassured me that if it was cancer, we would do whatever was needed to help Garrett.”

Immediately, Traci and Will focused on getting Garrett well

and helping him stay comfortable and healthy. They educated themselves on Ewing’s Sarcoma, chemotherapy drugs, and Nuelasta (bone marrow stimulant) shots. They learned that Ewing’s Sarcoma is often undiagnosed due to pain being written off as sports injuries or growing pains. It can also be missed because pain can be displaced. For example, a doctor could x-ray the pain in the knee, but the tumor could be in the femur. “Many times, the pain radiates close to but not at the tumor location. This happened to Garrett. He had some pain/ numbness in his wrist, mainly in the evenings a month before his arm swelled up the second time, but his tumor was in the upper radius just below the elbow,” Traci says. “He would want me to rub his wrist and hand, and we thought this pain was caused by a rope swing on our dock that Garrett would use. I would question if his hand/wrist was going to sleep or if his hand was sore from writing during therapy that day. Later, I realized the tumor radiated pain to his wrist/hand.”

They also felt blessed by the staff at Children’s, who helped them process the diagnosis. “It is not just a job to most of them, it’s their calling, and it shows. They took great care of Garrett and checked on us constantly. Dr. David P. Douglass was Garrett’s oncologist and is a wonderful man. Dr. Montgomery, who did Garrett’s biopsy, is brilliant,” Traci says. “We also relied on the love and support of family and friends, and full disclosure, I called a doctor and got started on Prestiq for depression and anxiety. This was a blessing, and it helped me so much.”

Because of Garrett’s autism, Will and Traci had even more anxiety about his ability to navigate the diagnosis. “We explained to Garrett that he had cancer in his arm and that the treatments and hospital stays were to kill it/ make it go away. Garrett understood he was sick, and he could tell me if he hurt anywhere,” Traci says. “One good thing is that Garrett did not understand or have the fear of death other children would have struggled with.”

Even though he is semi-verbal, Garrett also understands most things said to him and is extremely observant. “He wanted to watch everything the nurses and doctors would do. Some knew, and others learned not to be intimidated by an autism diagnosis. They learned to explain what they were doing to Garrett, and he was fine with it,” Traci says. “Garrett was also a trooper during chemo. A lot of times, he would want the room quiet and lights low.”

Traci and Will alternated every other night who would sleep on the sofa and be on duty in the fold-out chair next to Garrett’s bed. Their

schedule helped them keep Garrett comfortable. “During the first two rounds of chemotherapy, he would eat/drink during our hospital stays, but by the third round, he would only drink enough to take medicine, and he would not eat anything – no matter how many days we were in the hospital,” Traci says. “Thankfully, he was getting some fluids in his IVs. We did everything we could to help him stay comfortable during our stay in the hospital. We knew Garrett was strong/resilient, but he truly was a warrior.”

Traci and Will also realized how fortunate they were that both parents could be there during Garrett’s entire treatment. “So many families we met were unable to do so due to younger siblings at home or jobs that did not allow them to, but Garrett’s sister, Presley, was a junior when he was diagnosed on her birthday (April 3rd). She took care of our fur babies and attended five months of her senior year of high school during Garrett’s treatment,” Traci says. “Her activities were a wonderful distraction and a much-needed break from everything going on.”

Because Ewing’s Sarcoma is an aggressive cancer, Garrett had an aggressive treatment plan. Garrett had chemotherapy rounds on Wednesday of every other week. He had five days of IE (ifosfamide and etoposide), Nuelasta shots, three days of VDC (vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide), and another Neulasta shot. “You do this for 14 rounds, and if surgery can be performed to remove the tumor, they normally do it after the 6th round,” Traci says. “Fortunately, Garrett’s tumor was in a location where it could be removed through surgery. Unfortunately, six days after the fifth round of chemo, Garrett spiked 102.5 fever. We rushed to St. Michaels ER, and Garrett and I were airlifted to Children’s. By the time we landed, his fever was 104.”

Traci says that she has never seen people move as fast as the doctors and nurses did that day, and Garrett spent nine days in the hospital and received three blood transfusions. “Due to his body needing time to recover, the decision was made that after a small break, we would proceed with Garrett’s surgery after the fifth round instead of the sixth round of treatments,” Traci says.

Dr. Montgomery performed a bone salvage surgery on July 11, 2019. They cut 15 centimeters of Garrett’s radius bone (starting at the top part, by the elbow) and replaced it with a cadaver bone and a plate. They also removed the tumor outside of the bone, but they were worried

about how Garrett’s PNI nerve would be affected. “During surgery, they were able to preserve the PNI nerve,” Traci says.

“Also, once it was removed, dissected, and tested, Garrett’s tumor was found to be 99% dead from the aggressive treatment and chemotherapy!”

Because of these results, Garrett completed chemotherapy on December 8, 2019, and after other scans and tests, he was declared cancer free on January 9, 2020. Garrett had checkups every three months for one year. Then, he had a checkup every six months for two years, and now he has a checkup once a year until he has had ten years with no evidence of disease. “We realize how blessed we are. I always say we received the best case of the worst news. The fact that Garrett’s cancer was found early increased survival rate to 70%, compared to 39% if it had metastasized,” Traci says.

Traci and Will advise other parents facing a similar diagnosis to find out as much as possible about the disease, treatment, and things that can help. “Also, join support groups. We joined an Ewing’s Sarcoma Facebook group, and they provided me with so much knowledge, comfort, and support,” Traci says. “Do not think you must do it all; if someone offers to help, let them! If they ask for anything you or your family needs, do not hesitate to say ‘Yes,’ and tell them what you need. Also, remember you must take care of yourself to care for your loved one. Finally, we learned to cherish every day; it can all change instantly.”

Richard L. Hozdic II, M.D. Melanie Stone, APRN, FNP-C

ADAMS Gregory & Avery

Hayden and Avery met as underclassmen and soon became high school sweethearts. Haley had moved from Texarkana to South Louisiana in 2016, and soon the two became acquaintances through mutual friends. However, they only formed a close friendship once someone left an anonymous love note on a friend’s car in the school parking lot. Hayden and Avery discussed the note, investigating to figure out its author. As they say, “the rest is history,” as the pair never stopped talking!

Avery has attended Louisiana Tech University for the past four years to pursue a career in nutrition and dietetics, and Hayden has steadily worked as a mechanic during that time. They grew to appreciate each other deeper through many years of long distance. The couple knew they wanted to get married and begin life together after Avery’s college graduation. Eagerly awaiting the future, the couple toured and booked their wedding at Garrison Gardens before they were engaged to each other! Avery says, “I did not expect the proposal at all. My mother-in-law informed me that a ring had been purchased but would take a long time to deliver. It was expected to arrive at Hayden’s doorstep in March.” To their surprise, the ring arrived just in time for Valentine’s Day – a date the couple had planned to spend in downtown Texarkana, having their pictures made. Much to Avery’s surprise, Hayden, along with the help of his mother and her best friend Autumn, conducted the photoshoot while Hayden suddenly pulled a ring box from his suit jacket and knelt down. When Hayden asked for her hand in marriage, she excitedly exclaimed, “Duh!” without hesitation. “It was a day I will never forget,” says Avery.

Parents of the Bride: Paul & Amy

Miller

Parents of the Groom: Greg & Angela Adams

Maid of Honor: Autumn Faircloth

Bridesmaids: Hallie Fant, Hannah

Hughes, Vienna Wase, Hannah

Wooten, Urvi Chudasama, Emma Welch

Junior Bridesmaid: Abigail Curtis

Best Man: Brett King

Groomsmen: Colby Smith, George

Cox, John-Riley Kemp, Levi

Pearson, Evan Miller, Dylan Adams

Flower Girl: Khloe Curtis

Ring Bearer: Karson Roraback

Ushers: Jackson Birtcher, Lewis

Lawson

Pastor / Officiant: Wayne Bryant

Flowers: Persnickety Too

Hair & Make-Up: The Beauty Bar

Venue: Garrison Gardens

Wedding Coordinator: Karen

Guilbert

Cake: Julie’s Deli

Caterer: Chef on the Run

DJ: Chuck Guilbert

Live Painting: Wedding Painters

“Having all of our friends & family together in one place to celebrate our love made our wedding day incredibly special. It was really cool to see members of our families interacting with one another, especially on the dance floor!”

Avery & Hayden

Stockton Jon & Kelsey

Kelsey Stegall and Jon Stockton have a love story many couples can relate to. Meeting through mutual friends, the pair bonded over their love for a perfectly grilled steak and classic tunes. Who can argue with good food and fantastic music? It is a recipe for love to begin. Kelsey and Jon would spend the next five years discovering each other’s personalities. They would travel to many destinations and learn to build a life together.

Jon proposed to Kelsey on a family trip to the picturesque Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Within the following two years, the pair would marry and begin a new life together as husband and wife. Simply stated, they fall in love with each other more and more every day.

Parents of the Bride: Danny & Regina Stegall

Parents of the Groom: Rob Stockton and the late Maria Stockton

Maid of Honor: Courtney Stegall Burns

Bridesmaids: Sherie Blower, Candice

Rance

Best Man: Zack Davis

Groomsmen: Joshua Stockton, Seth Stockton

Flower Girl: Mckynlei Burns, Madelyn Stockton

Pastor / Officiant: Wayne Bryant

Flowers: Simply Scheen Designs

Hair & Make-Up: Denise Logue

Venue: Garrison Gardens

Wedding Coordinator: Karen Guilbert

Cake: Cakes By Ashley

Caterer: Namaans BBQ

DJ: Chuck Guilbert

Photographer: Breanne Bradshaw

Photography

Wedding Invitations: Zola

Wedding Dress: It’s Sew Monica

Wedding Jewelry: Everette Jewelry

Tuxedos: Squires

“The beauty of the venue, the comfort of our family, and the peace we felt with each other made the entire day so spectacular. Our wedding was, in fact, an unforgettable day.” ~Jon & Kelsey

Jacob Miramontes & Malori Carlow

Malori Brooke Carlow, of New Boston, Texas, and Jacob Daniel Miramontes, of Dallas, Texas, are pleased to announce their engagement with ALT Magazine. Malori, 26, is the daughter of Blake and Melinda Carlow. She graduated from New Boston High School and The University of Texas at Tyler with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication, Sports Communication, and Psychology. She is currently employed as a sports reporter. Jacob, 29, is the son of Samuel and Esther Miramontes. Jacob graduated from Rockwall High School and enlisted in The United States Marine Corps. He is currently employed as a police officer. The couple looks forward to eloping soon, with pastor Keon Byrd from Church Eleven32 officiating the wedding. After planning a European getaway for their honeymoon, they will reside in Dallas, Texas.

A look into their engagement… Jacob indeed planned the perfect proposal at the family condo in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which happened to be their favorite place! Many weekends had been spent at this location over the past four years of their relationship. Planning a weeklong getaway and a nice dinner at Malori’s favorite steak restaurant, Jacob had arranged their first night in town to be a romantic evening, but Malori would soon be surprised! During their dinner, Malorie’s family would sneak to the condo without her knowledge and decorate for the upcoming proposal. After dinner, the couple returned to the condo, and as Jacob walked her to the door, she was met with a glowing “Marry Me” sign surrounded by rose petals and candles. Jacob dropped to one knee and asked Malori if she would marry him. Malori, with tears in her eyes, said, “Yes”! She then turned around to see her family waiting for her with arms open wide.

Dr. Russell Stanley Christus Trinity Clinic Gynecology Specialists

Dr. Russell Stanley is the first urogynecologist in Texarkana, and he will be seeking to take care of women at Christus Trinity Clinic Gynecology Specialists with not only OB/GYN needs, but also urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, fecal incontinence, obstetrical trauma from delivery, fistulas, recurrent urinary tract infections, painful bladder syndrome, and many other quality of life pelvic floor disorders affecting women. Dr. Stanley is an obstetrician/ gynecologist with a subspecialty fellowship training (3 years training post-residency) in urogynecology, and starting September 1, he will be seeing patients as a OB/GYN, Urogynecology, and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgeon.

A native Texan, Dr. Stanley grew up in Abilene, Texas. His father was also an obstetrician/gynecologist who practiced for 40 years. “I grew up going to the hospital making rounds and watching my dad take care of patients. So, in some ways, it was ingrained in me from an early age,” Dr. Stanley says. “ I married a wonderful woman, Lauren, who also was a mother/baby nurse and is now a nurse practitioner who focuses on women’s health. Before I went back to medical school, I would say my dad and my beautiful wife are the ones who inspired me.”

At first, Dr. Stanley pursued a career in the ministry as a Baptist preacher, but he soon felt called to go to medical school as well. “I felt like medicine would give me the opportunity to further impact the lives of people in other practical ways for the Lord. I feel very much that my job in medicine is a God call, and that God has placed me here to take care of women,” Dr. Stanley says. “But as a second career, I have more appreciation for the work and the time it took to get here and very much value all of my patients and what they have to teach me as I take care of them on the course of their healthcare journey. For me, the practical aspect of delivering quality of life results to a woman with pelvic floor disorders or delivering a baby for a mom who waited her whole pregnancy to meet the newest member of her family gives me the greatest sense of accomplishment and provides the reason for why I went into this field.”

The ability to take care of human beings in vulnerable moments is what inspires Dr. Stanley. There are many stories that keep Dr. Stanley going on the hardest days on the job. For example, Dr. Stanley recently finished his subspecialty fellowship in Alabama, and he had the opportunity to do surgery to place a bladder sling in a woman who had leaked urine for years every time she coughed, sneezed, and laughed. Because of this, she had to go to

the grocery store with pads and extra clothes in her car. “When we finished the surgery and she came to see me six weeks and then three months after the surgery, she gave me a huge hug and said we had changed her life because she could walk around and go to the grocery store without leaking urine now. She felt like God had used us to give her new life again!” Dr. Stanley says. “For me, the job is a calling and an opportunity to touch the lives of others in a very real and powerful way on a daily basis.”

Another example occurred when Dr. Stanley delivered a baby for a patient in an emergent situation. Everything went well, and when Dr. Stanley saw the dad out in the community about six weeks later, the man approached Dr. Stanley with gratitude. “He thanked me for taking great care of his wife in such an important moment of their lives and delivering high quality healthcare to them,” Dr. Stanley says. “This gave me great joy to know that once again, God had used this situation for His honor and glory. I try to do everything unto the Lord on a daily basis.”

One night that Dr. Stanley will never forget occurred during the pandemic when he was working Labor and Delivery. A patient came in with no prenatal care. She had been diagnosed with COVID three days prior and was not very sick. However, Dr. Stanley ordered a panel of labs just to make sure he was being thorough with her care. As it turned out, the patient had many abnormal lab findings, and he decided to admit her.. “We ended up having to deliver her baby emergently the next day because the baby started to be in distress during the point of observation. I look back on this situation, and I thank God that He led me in this patient’s care every step of the way, but what it taught me to do is to always pay attention to every detail in a patient’s care and to make sure we work hard to deliver high quality care to the patient in all situations and scenarios despite uncertainty,” Dr. Stanley says. “Therefore, the biggest lesson I learned from the situation is to trust what you know, pay attention to details, and always continue to learn and grow. If we are not continuing to learn and grow, then we are becoming stagnant.”

Though he is proud of his professional accomplishments, Dr. Stanley counts his family as his most important accomplishment. He and his wife, Lauren, have been married for 20 years, and they have six children, including two sets of twins. “Our oldest daughter is Katie (17) followed by Jessa (13), Ben (8), Lana (8), Jensy (2), and Laura (2). Katie and Jessa are passionate about horses and serving the Lord. Ben and Lana love nature, fishing, and anything that involves an adventure. Additionally, Jensy and Laura as the youngest ones PROVIDE us an adventure every day,” Dr. Stanley says. “I would say that raising my four oldest children to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior is my greatest accomplishment.”

As an ordained Baptist minister, Dr. Stanley was able to baptize his two oldest children, Katie and Jessa. He is also proud that his eight-year-old twins, Ben and Lana have come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. “Of course, we give all the credit to God, but I would have to say that raising a Christian family and teaching them to follow the teachings of our Lord is the greatest thing in my life personally,” Dr. Stanley says. “The inspiration for my daily life is to KNOW Jesus Christ and to make HIM KNOWN in the world. I not only see my Christian ministry or church ministry as a call in my life, but I also see medicine as a vehicle by which to share the love of Christ with others around me. This is what inspires me and drives me on a daily basis: to make a difference in the lives of others with the God Call that He has given me.”

Even though Dr. Stanley sees the future of healthcare as complicated, he still has hope that medical professionals can make a big difference. “The population continues to get sicker and sicker all the time, and access to care, especially in rural areas, continues to be a great struggle and is getting even more difficult all of the time. I think large hospital systems and multispecialty

Fun Facts:

clinics will be the future of medicine, but as individuals within this vast landscape change, we should not lose sight of the REASON for why we are here,” Dr. Stanley says. “Many get jaded by all the aforementioned things, but as I always remember, there will always be problems, stresses, and concerns in the world. We have to take what is and seek to make the biggest difference we can even in the midst of some of the greatest challenges we face.”

Looking to the future, Dr. Stanley’s goal is to establish a successful practice that has a far reaching impact on the community here in Texarkana. “I hope to provide a service to the patients that are currently having to leave the Texarkana community and region to get some of these surgeries and services elsewhere,” Dr. Stanley says. “I also want to set a goal for my family to find the ways in which God wants us to serve in Texarkana and the impact he wants us to have from a Christian Ministry standpoint. My girls and I love to minister in song and through preaching God’s Word. We look forward to the opportunity to use the gifts and talents that God has given us in order to make an impact for the kingdom of God here in Texarkana.”

1. I am passionate about baseball and the Texas Rangers baseball team.

2. I am involved in the Texarkana community through Northridge Country Club. We are still visiting churches, but we plan to plug into a local church. I also plan to be involved in local ministries reaching out to the homeless and underserved and additional organizations like the Rotary Club.

3. My favorite place to eat in Texarkana so far is TaMolly’s Mexican Food, and I always order chicken fajitas.

4. The best tip I know for staying healthy is to stay active with exercise, stop worrying, and refrain from eating too many carbohydrates.

5. Most people don’t know that I did martial arts as a kid and took Tai Kwon Do. When I was younger, it taught me discipline and the importance of remaining active.

MayoAlexis

Alexis Mayo, the 12-year-old daughter of Ben and Stacy Mayo, captured the 2023-2024 International Cinderella Miss title Friday, July 28th, in Dallas, Texas. Competing in personal interview, talent, party wear, and casual wear, 47 young ladies from all across the United States vied for the Overall title in front of a panel of three judges and thousands of people watching in person or via live stream. This was the first time in Cinderella’s 47-year history a Texarkana native captured the hearts of the judges for the Overall title.

The International Cinderella Scholarship Program is the longest-running scholarship program for young ladies in the United States and is currently under the direction of Mr. Fred Vollman. There are five divisions in the Cinderella Organization, including Tot, Miniature Miss, Miss, Teen, and Woman. Texas claimed two winners, along with North Carolina. Arizona won the fifth division.

The upcoming year will be very busy for Alexis as she travels throughout the United States with her Queen Sisters representing the program.

This was Alexis’ second time to compete in the International Pageant. She sang “New York, New York” for her talent and plans to continue sharing her passion for performing at events while also spreading Alzheimer’s Awareness and incorporating musical therapy.

Her win comes 22 years after her mom, Stacy James Mayo, captured the title of Miss Texas 2001. Alexis attends Texas Middle School and is a 7th-grade cheerleader.

For more information on the International Cinderella Scholarship Program, please check out their website at  https://cinderellapageant.com/.

Publisher’s Note: Alexis was featured in our January issue of “People to Watch in ‘23!”

We definitely were spot on in watching this young lady accomplish amazing things!

STRINGER WEALTH MANAGEMENT

RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL

STRINGERWEALTHMANAGEMENT.NET

CASH MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

BUSINESS OWNERSHIP

Top five tips for navigating market volatility and inflation. interest rates than a traditional business loan. You can use the borrowing power of eligible personal or business brokerage accounts to obtain your securities-based loan. Just be sure to talk to your advisor before applying.

Managing cash flow at a small business can be a challenge during the best of times, but recent market volatility and inflation have made this task even more critical.

The below strategies should serve business owners well during both economic storms and more favorable conditions.

Five tips

• Optimize the timing of your revenue intake. You have bills and payroll that require timely, predictable outlays of cash, but your receivables may be irregular or late. In fact, according to a 2021 QuickBooks survey, mid-sized businesses are owed an average of $304,066 in late payments. To accelerate your revenue intake, you need a system that minimizes late payments and manual efforts to invoice and collect. Dedicated software with automations may be a worthwhile investment that also helps you see the big picture of your finances. You can also consider providing discounts or incentives for early payment.

• Use a business credit card with cashback rewards. You should earn cash back on as many of your business purchases as possible. These rewards, which can often be taken as account credits, are in effect discounts on all purchases. A business credit card without rewards but that has a low or 0% APR may also be useful in avoiding interest payments on credit card debts you have.

• Consider securities-based lending to address emergency needs or expansion opportunities. Whether you need cash to protect your business from unexpected expenses or wish to expand, securities-based lending may offer a flexible alternative to traditional financing, often providing better

• Hold and sweep cash. Holding cash or cash alternatives is part of a well-allocated, diversified financial plan. Consider cash-sweeping programs as well that sweep your brokerage cash into interest-bearing accounts for maximum income earning.

• Review subscriptions and renegotiate contracts. Now is a great time to renegotiate existing contracts, seek out new suppliers and reevaluate the value of your subscriptions. Periodically reviewing these fixed costs and seeking to reduce them is an important habit for optimizing cash flow.

Next steps

• Talk to your advisor to help you optimize your on-demand cash and cash-flow management.

• Evaluate your overall financial picture to identify any frequent problem areas or opportunities to increase income and reduce expenses.

• Consider reducing your product or service portfolio, prioritizing your fastest and bestselling offers.

Sources: raymondjames.com; wellsfargo.com; usbank.com; nationalbusinesscapital.com; Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange / SIPC, and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA / SIPC, are subsidiaries of Raymond James Financial, Inc. Raymond James® and Raymond James Financial® are registered trademarks of Raymond James Financial, Inc. Raymond James & Associates Statement of Financial Condition - March 2023 (PDF)

Drug Take Back Initiative Operation Medicine Cabinet

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department is proud to partner with Texarkana Emergency Center in an effort to remove unused and out of date prescription medicines from your homes.

•It is important to know that law enforcement is only interested in the removal of unused and/or outdated medications from the homes of our citizens.

•It matters not whose name is on the prescription, by whom it was prescribed, where it was prescribed, or where you reside.

•We stress that it makes no difference if you live in Texas or Arkansas.

•We take back all medications, no questions asked. You can remove the label if you desire but it’s not necessary.

•We ask that you do not deposit needles (sharps), inhalers, medication from businesses or clinics, ointments, lotions, liquids, aerosol cans, hydrogen peroxide, or thermometers.

One box has been placed behind the Bi State Justice Building at 100 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, Arkansas and another outside the Texarkana Emergency Center, 4646 Cowhorn Creek Rd., Texarkana, Texas. These boxes are regularly checked and the contents are immediately packaged for destruction. If you would like to personally drop your medications off to law enforcement, you can at the Miller County Sheriff’s Office on East Street and Bi State Justice Building in Texarkana.

National Take Back Day October 28, 2023 8am - 12pm at Texarkana Emergency Center & Hospital

You can learn more about this program by visiting www.artakeback.org or on Facebook by searching Arkansas Take Back or Arkansas Drug take Back.

4646 Cowhorn Creek | Texarkana, TX 75503 | 903.838.8000

Suzie TK SnippeTS

By: Suzie Tyler

Testing Your Character

Sometimes, God will test our character before our dreams can come true. We must prove we can handle what He plans to entrust us with.

Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character Psalm 105:19 NLT.

God gave Joseph a dream that he would be in leadership, but his brothers took away his coat of many colors that represented his father’s favor. They sold him into slavery and imprisoned him when Potiphar’s wife, Iempsar, falsely accused him.

These were not just random, unfair bad breaks. God was allowing trials to teach him so he could handle what would come his way. Joseph kept passing the test and did not get bitter. Even when thrown in prison for something he did not do, Joseph continued to trust the vision he had been given.

His brothers took his robe, but they could not take his favor. They took him from his home but could not take his dream. They took him from his father but could not remove his anointing. All these steps prepared him to become the prime minister and second in command of all of Egypt.

I have often wondered what he thought when his brothers threw him in the pit to die. If it had been me, I know I would have been saying, “Hello, God. Are you up there? How are you going to fulfill my dream when I’m going to die?”

Keep passing the test and be a role model like Joseph. Struggles are not there to stop you but to prepare you. Always do the right thing, even when it is challenging. God will release you to a new level of leadership, favor, and influence.

May God’s blessings of good health and victory be yours today and every day.

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Fish Tales with Mike Brower

Second Time Around

So I have mentioned this before, but the prices of fishing tackle are wacked. I thought bass fishing was an expensive hobby, but trout fishing is more expensive. You can buy a War Eagle half-ounce spinnerbait for like $7.50 or a #14 grasshopper fly for $5.00 that is the size of a dime and weighs nothing. You can buy a net with a 2-foot handle and 20-inch hoop for bass for about $55.00, or you can buy the same net only made with carbon fiber for $180.

Trout stuff is a little more expensive because there are not as many trout fishermen as there are bass guys. But the hefty price tags are for rods and reels. You can buy a good bass rod and reel for about $350, whereas a good trout rod alone will cost $200300 and can go up to $1,000, and a good fly reel will start at $100 and go up to the thousands of dollars.

If you are either a bass or a trout guy, you better have a decent job and don’t spend much on non-fishing equipment because you might not be eating, and the fish you catch with that expensive equipment is costly to eat. Just remember not to overpay for stuff. No one needs a $1,000 rod to catch a fish.

Texarkana Race Day @ Texas High Schoool

Get into Gardening @ TAMUTexarkana

34th Annual Golf Invitational @ TXK County Club

CASA Concert & Golf Tournament

2023 @ Northridge Country Club

Build a Kids Microscope @ Home Depot

Storytime with Benny & Daisy @ TXK Public Library

Miller-Bowie Parkinsons Support Group @ TXK Public Library

Senior Health & Wellness Expo @ TXK Convention Center

Lisa Mauldin Memorial Bash @ The Dancing Ranch Farm

Matt Maher @ Trinity Baptist Church

Conlon Nancarrow Music Symposium @ TXK College

Texas High School Class of 1988 Reunion

PASSION FOR POOCHES (mostly small dogs)

TEXARKANA ANIMAL LEAGUE

New Subdivision lake lots Available Eagles way North and South

What a place to be...waking up in the mornings, overlooking the lake on SW Arkansas best kept secret, Beautiful Lake Erling. Privacy, seclusion, and serenity, all while watching the deer, turkey, and other wildlife in your own back yard. You are steps away from some of the South’s best fishing. These beautiful lots with lake frontage are limited and are beginning to sell quickly. This is a gated subdivision with limited access. Lakefront property is extremely hard to find and availability is very limited on this lake. B.A.S.S. ranked Lake Erling the top 100 lakes in the United States.