The Minute Magazine September October 2014

Sept / Oct 2014 Volume 9, Issue 5

FREE

magazine

sponsored by:

1

r e k l a W n y r nTi a Givens • B s a z i r G • e t n e Transpar s r e t a e w S f i k S Crossroads

of Art & Fashion

Like Us On Facebook AbsolutelyAbigails

Southern Fall Apparel At It's Finest Naot Comfort Shoes Magnolia Pearl Dress To Kill • Comfy Matchpoint • Bodil Flax • Cynthia Ashby Cheyenne • Planet Catherine Doll • Chalet Tina Givens • Bryn Walker Transparente • Grizas Skif Sweaters

3795 Youree Drive • Shreveport, LA • Hours: Mon - Sat, 10 - 5:30

318.219.0788 • Shop Online: AbsolutelyAbigails.com Like Us On Facebook AbsolutelyAbigails

3795 Youree Drive • Shreveport, LA • Hours: Mon - Sat, 10 - 5:30

318.219.0788 • Shop Online: AbsolutelyAbigails.com 2

Smile.

You can do something special for yourself ... and your family.

Having an annual mammogram can help make sure you’ll be there for life’s most important moments. A mammogram can help detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. The American Cancer Society recommends one every year for women 40 and older, or for younger women considered to be at risk. At Northern Louisiana Medical Center, we bring you advanced digital mammography, for clearer images and quicker results.

Call 318-254-2791 today to schedule your digital mammogram.

Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis. An order from a physician or qualified healthcare provider is required.

All mammogram reports will be sent to the physician/provider and follow-ups are the responsibility of the patient.

3

magazine We’re Online!

To View Digital Issues & Find Locations Near You Visit www.theminutemagazine.com

Like us on Facebook!

4

You’ve known her for so long. Now, suddenly, something has changed.

If you or a loved one is experiencing changes in the ability to cope with daily living, Senior Care at Minden Medical Center is here to help.

You’ve known her for Senior Care is available to persons age 55 and over with so long.

Now, suddenly, has asomething mental or cognitive decline thatchanged. hinders daily life, who has become threatone to selfisorexperiencing others, or is limited in self-in If you or a aloved changes the ability. abilityOur to cope with daily living, Senior Care care mental health professionals are available caring for your health.

Make it a smart one, For Quality at Minden Medical Center is here to help. s named one of the nation’s top performers through our is24inavailable hour referral line to age discuss treatment Senior Care to persons 55 and over with asures two years a row. to caring for your Make it a smart a mental or health. cognitive decline thatone, hinders daily life, who was named one nation’s top performers needs andofarethe devoted to helping patients get backin selfto hasCommission, become a threat self oraccreditor others, or is limited he Joint the to leading measures two years in a row. care ability. Our mental health professionals are available ation, for our achievements in quality… but through our 24 hour referral line to discuss treatment optimal level functioning.

The their Joint theof leading accreditor hosen byCommission, you. Minden Medical Center

For Quality

needs and are devoted to helping patients get back to e nation, for our achievements in quality… but to patients and their – safe and theirbyoptimal levelfamilies of functioning. e chosen you. Minden Medical Center providing the highestfamilies quality care possible, st toOur patients and their services include: – safe and gtoedge technology thatquality you expect at larger providing the highest care possible, • Free initial consultation • Management of secondary veniently close to home. ing edge technology that you expect at larger • Thorough assessment medical needs onveniently close to home.

• Customized treatment • Continued care planning plans and referral assistance eed, choose Minden Medical Center.

• choose Group,Minden individual, and Center. need, Medical family counseling nmedicalcenter.com denmedicalcenter.com

Our services include:

• Free initial consultation • Thorough assessment • Customized treatment plans • Group, individual, and family counseling

• Management of secondary medical needs • Continued care planning and referral assistance For more information

or to schedule a free, confidential assessment, call us at 318-371-5646.

Hope is only a phone call away.

For more information www.MindenMedicalCenter.com #1 Medical Plazaor| to Minden, LA a free, schedule

from the

Editor T

he 4th annual Wiggin' Out Issue is here. It's hard to believe how far we've come in such a short period of time. Wiggin' Out has surpassed every expectation we at The Minute could have hoped for. The Wiggin' Out Event held every year at Squire Creek has grown and flourished into an extravaganza of wigs and wonderfully inspirational individuals. We are so excited to introduce you to some truly amazing and uplifting people in the pages of this issue who exemplify what Wiggin' Out is all about.

Wiggin’ Out has grown into much more than just and issue and an event. It is now a thriving non-profit entity that provides wigs (or other appropriate headwear), lymphatic garments and prosthetic bras to current and recently former cancer patients throughout the I-20 corridor in North Louisiana through donations and other fundraising events.

Our goal in that endeavor is to help ease the financial and psychological burden and strain for individuals fighting cancer. We also partner with other local organizations and businesses to increase awareness about all of the resources and opportunities available to individuals throughout North Louisiana in their time of need.

Tiffany Byram Owner/Editor

5

Plan for the unexpected when you’re healthy.

Laura Horton, Agent 129 Minden Shopping Drive Minden, LA 71055 Bus: 318-377-5556 laura@laurahortonsf.com

Ask me how these State Farm health products can protect you if you become ill, or get injured and are unable to work: • disability insurance • hospital income insurance • supplemental insurance • long-term care insurance Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. CALL ME TODAY. ®

®

1101399.1

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Bloomington, IL

What’s Happening At

rosemary’s kitchen

SEPTEMBER 13th: A Night In Old Bombay TAKE A CULINARY TRIP TO EXOTIC INDIA! $30 per guest, By Reservation Only Seatings at 6:00 & 8:00pm, BYOB, FREE Corking Service Available OCTOBER 3rd: Udderly Sweet, A Tasting Event Samples of Local Honey & Artisan Goat Cheese $8 per guest/$12 pair, $10 at the door 6:00-9:00pm, BYOB, Live Music!

FOR SPECIAL EVENT MENUS & MORE INFORMATION: www.rosemarys-kitchen.com 400 South Bonner Street, Ruston – 318.202.5951 FIND US ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER!

6

inside this FIND US ONLINE!

TIFFANY BYRAM Owner/Publisher/Editor Graphics/Layout

VICKI CASKEY Sales Manager

SHARELLE GUTIERREZ OF SHARELLE STUDIOS Cover Photography

PAM BECK Cover Model

KIMBERLY ALVAREZ

For a list of locations near you, or to catch up on past issues, visit www.theminutemag.com or like us on Facebook!

For article suggestions and queries email Tiffany Byram at theminutemagazine@gmail.com The Minute Magazine is distributed throughout Caddo, Bossier, Claiborne, Bienville, Ouachita, Webster, & Lincoln Parishes in Louisiana.

They are FREE for you to enjoy.

Take a few to your friends, relatives or anyone else that you think might need a refreshing, enlightening “minute.”

Makeup Artist

JENNY REYNOLDS Founder

CONTACT INFORMATION: Office Phone: 504.390.2585 Ad Sales: 318.548.2693 P.O. Box 961, Belle Chasse, LA 70037

10 Better Than Ever: Pam Beck by Rachel Pardue 18 A Fairy Tale: Ray Roberson by Chalaine Scott 26 Compassion That Compels by Kristianne Stewart 28 Fight For It: Marie Gilbert by Victoria Axton 33 Overcomer: Kristal Brewton by Chalaine Scott 38 Seth Plunkett, Family Man by Rachel Pardue 40 They're Fake: Kim French by Kim French Victoria Axton Chris Broussard Tiffany Byram Vicki Caskey Shelley Duran Barbara Ellis Durbin Kim French Winnie Griggs Sanjay A. Joseph, M.D. Wesley Harris Liz Hines

Ashley Maddox Jason McReynolds Rachel Pardue Judith Roberts Chalaine Scott Kristianne Stewart Melissa Teoulet Rosemary Thomas April Warford Timmons Darla Upton

Sept / Oct 2014 Volume 9, Issue 5

FREE

magazine Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be copied or reproduced without permission. The Minute Magazine cannot be responsible for unsolicited materials. The editorial content of The Minute is prepared in accordance with the highest standards of journalistic accuracy. Readers are cautioned, however, not to use any information from the magazine as a substitute for expert opinion, technical information or advice. The Minute cannot be responsible for negligent acts, errors and omissions. The opinions expressed in The Minute are those of our writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. The publisher has the right to accept or reject any advertising and / or editorial submitted.

This cover was taken of Pam Beck

by ShaRelle Gutierrez of ShaRelle Sudios. Pam's inspirational story can be found on page 10 sponsored by:

7

Wiggin' Out 2014

A word from Vicki Caskey

I

t seems as though every time I turn around someone I know is being diagnosed with cancer. The dreaded news never fails to punch me in the gut. I can only imagine how the person sitting in front of their physician feels.

I have always tried to be the person that finds the good in the bad, the one who insists on my family staying positive in the face of adversity. While no one in my immediate family has been diagnosed, several loved ones of dear friends and a close friend have been.

I have watched each of them suit up in the armor of positivity and head into battle. Each surrounded with wonderful support teams. I stand amazed at their strength.

Four years ago when Wiggin’Out became my passion I had no idea how it would change my life. I have learned humility, wisdom, compassion, strength and so much more. I have sat in the room with women who have lost all of their hair as they try on a wig for the very first time. I have seen their eyes light up as they find that perfect wig that gives them back their dignity.

I have prayed with a friend while she was connected to several wires as she received radiation. I have cried for a friend who lost her mother after a hard fought battle.

I have watched a lady deal with health issues from radiation she received years ago. I have watched a lady celebrate the end of her treatment only to lose her husband suddenly shortly after. I have wished I could pay the bills of several that were overcome with worry at the vast expense cancer has weighed on their family.

On the flipside of this I have met the strongest, bravest people I have ever known. I have met physicians who go out of their way to do for their patients and staff that truly have a heart for healing. I have realized that there is nothing we can’t overcome with a positive attitude and whole lot of prayer.

and certainly never dreamed it would change the lives of others as much as it has and will do in the future.

All proceeds from WIGGIN'OUT benefit men, women & children in North Louisiana who cannot afford a wig or have other needs while undergoing cancer treatment.

Our Mission:

Wiggin’ Out is a non-profit entity that provides wigs (or other appropriate headwear), lymphatic garments and prosthetic bras to current and recent cancer patients throughout the I-20 corridor in North Louisiana through donations and other fundraising events.

Our goal in that endeavor is to help ease the financial and psychological burden and strain for individuals fighting cancer.

Because of your support, Wiggin’Out is making a difference in the lives of those fighting cancer in North Louisiana.

For more information about Wiggin’Out please visit www.wigginout.org.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I say all of this so that you will know, four years ago I had no idea that the efforts of a team that came together to make Wiggin’Out a reality would radically change me

Vicki is a Louisiana native who has lived in several towns in North Louisiana. She spends her free time baking, cheering on the Lady Techsters (#3 is her girl) and playing with her three dogs. She is a recent empty nester currently enjoying the small town life in Arcadia with her husband Wayne. She is not afraid of hard work and is a very driven woman. From organizing a magazine to running a non profit, she will do what it takes to succeed. If you ask her she will tell you this: the Lord blessed me with the gift of gab and I use it hoping and praying to make a difference in the world.

8

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

9

life is

better than

ever Written By: Rachel Pardue

The Daddy-Daughter Duo After the marriage of her son and the purchase of her new house, 2004 was proving to be picture-perfect for Pam Beck. Unfortunately, Pam’s romantic comedy took a turn towards tragedy when her father was sent for a PET scan in July. The results showed cancer, but the biopsy could not confirm. Due to the inconclusive results, the doctors decided to watch Pam’s dad for a month.

During this month-long waiting period, Pam was in much need of a break and went on a lovely vacation with her husband, Gil, daughter, Emily, and her future son-in-law Jared. While at the beach, Pam’s time of relaxation screeched to a halt as she noticed an “uneven” look to her breast.

Unable to do anything while on vacation, Pam returned home to the disastrous news that her father had been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Too consumed with being the encourager and caregiver to her parents, Pam postponed her OB-GYN appointment for a few weeks.

After establishing a plan of action for her father’s battle with lung cancer, Pam had a biopsy. The result: late stage 3, grade 3 and higher breast cancer in Pam’s lymph nodes that went to her chest wall and was estrogen positive.

Despite Pam’s yearly m a m m o g r a m s , ultrasounds, and regular self-checks, the cancer had gone undetected because it grew within the scar

10

tissue from where Pam had a lump removed 25 years prior.

In possibly the worst timing, Pam received her diagnosis September 16th, the day before her father was scheduled to undergo his first chemotherapy treatment. Pam waited until the day after her father’s treatment to do what she calls “the single hardest thing of [her] life.”

Pam remembered telling her father, “you know Daddy, I have always been a Daddy’s girl, and I know God intended for me to join you in this journey of cancer, diagnosis, treatment, and survival.” Pam went over to the sofa to sit beside her father who was looking at his feet as if he was paralyzed in time and told him, “We will do this together."

Pam planned to have a mastectomy, and to keep her spirits high, Pam bought a new wardrobe to wear in the hospital and during recovery. Pam said, “I might be missing a breast, but the world would never know by looking at me.”

Pam gushed about her incredible support team that awaited her in the hospital, and just before she left to go to the operating room her husband, Gil, took her hand and whispered the 23rd Psalm into her ear. Overwhelmed with love and support, Pam was ready for her battle ahead.

Pam was scheduled to receive a chemotherapy treatment every three weeks for six months. The night after Pam’s first treatment, she became violently ill and her husband sat on the bathroom floor with her begging Pam not to die. Pam said that, “for the first time since [her] diagnosis [she] thought [she] might.” As soon as Dr. Moor’s office opened, they gave Pam fluids and quick dissolve Zofran. Then, they put Pam under a sedative and she slept from Friday morning until Sunday morning. That became her chemo routine.

Pam said that she “just kept remembering that [the chemo] was causing good to triumph over bad in [her] body, and [she] wasn’t quitting.”

For her second round of chemotherapy Pam was prepared. She made the best of losing all of her hair by buying an assortment of wigs, which she adored. Pam proudly said with a smile, “My wigs were rockin.”

Today Pam is a grandmother of five and will celebrate ten remarkable years as a breast cancer survivor on October 1st! Since her battle with cancer, Pam says, “I don’t take my great days for granted, and I don’t take my bad days too seriously.”

With two happily married children, a loving husband, five beautiful grandchildren, and the most inspiring optimistic attitude, Pam says, “life is better than ever.”

Photos: Pam Beck's parents. Cover model Pam Beck rocking her 80's style in honor of the upcoming Wiggin' Out event.

By her fourth round of chemo, Pam’s nausea finally left but so did her fingernails. Pam barley seemed to notice her loss of fingernails as she recalled the first time she was able to successfully eat a meal after chemo. Pam said, “it was fabulous.”

As Pam’s health strengthened, her father’s diminished. Pam’s dad survived for fifteen months after his diagnosis. Pam said, “He taught me how to fight cancer gracefully and with a heart full of cheer. He was always the favorite patient of the cancer center…but then he was always my favorite person so that was easy to understand.”

After the death of her father, Pam’s sister was diagnosed with late stage terminal cancer in 2007 and survived for about 18 months. Just ten months after Pam’s sister’s death, Pam’s brotherin-law died of a rare form of livercancer.

11

-----------------------------------

The Big Move -----------------------------------

W

elp, I've up and done it now. I have survived the harrowing 21 hour drive from Louisiana to New York and can now call myself a resident of Long Island, New York. Just getting here made up what might possibly have been the most miserable road trip of my life. Somewhere in Mississippi, only an hour into the trip, my check engine light came on. My car is 10 years old and I wasn't too keen on driving another 1,300 miles before I could get it checked out.

Luckily it turned out to be a minor problem of mixing different gas because as soon as I let it run down and filled it up, that light went off. That stupid light

12

would come on once more ourselves trying to drive during this trip and wouldn't through Manhattan. you know it I haven't seen it since.

Have you ever tried to drive in Manhattan? Unless you Several hours later, have nerves of steel, I possibly in Georgia, traffic do not suggest it. No one starts slowing down due pays any attention to lane to an accident up ahead. lines or even to basic rules Behind me, an 18 wheeler of the road. I had a cab couldn't stop in time and driver get so close to me veered off the road into I could have leaned out of a ditch and passed it into my window and turned his the trees. The truck was radio off. Drivers in front going so fast that it was of you will suddenly stop knocking trees down and in the middle of the road pieces of the truck were because they've decided flying off. Had he not turned to park there... In the the wheel, my mom and I middle of the road! Most would have been crushed of the lane lines are worn between him and the 18 off so you have no idea if wheeler in front of us. I'm this is a 3 or 4 lane road. really hoping that driver is Clearly it doesn't matter okay. because everyone seems to be doing whatever they On the second day of this want anyway. In addition 2-day trip, we ran into to the nutcases on the a complete stop on the road, there are people interstate due to a serious everywhere. I have never multiple car accident up seen so many people in ahead. We were stuck one spot in my entire life, for 3 hours there. Finally and this was around 1am. I we get into the home guess that's why it's called stretch of this trip and due the city that never sleeps. to road construction and By some miracle I made it idiot drivers, we somehow past all that nonsense and wound up lost in some to my new home. pretty sketchy parts of New Jersey and then found The movers wouldn't

deliver our stuff for another 2 weeks so I had to make do with the few things I could fit in my car. Having done this whole moving thing before, I knew a few tricks to make it easier. Along with a couple changes of clothes and my toothbrush, I also pack a medium-size pot, a large pan, a cooking spoon, a spatula, a small baking sheet, and a box of pancake mix. Yes, you heard me correctly. I pack a box of pancake mix. It might seem a little weird, after all you might think you'll just live on fastfood or pizza until you get fully unpacked. Trust me though, fast-food and pizza gets very boring after about 2 days, not too mention extremely expensive. If you bring just a few things with you, you can hit up the grocery store and buy a few things to make easy inexpensive meals to see you through the first couple of weeks.

This is where my pancake mix comes in. It doesn't matter what brand or flavor you buy, it's cheap, and easy to find. Some gas stations will even carry a small box. I'm partial to the buttermilk variety, but whatever you prefer is completely fine.

Depending on how you grew up, you may not be aware that a box of pancake mix can make other things besides pancakes and waffles.

I've made crepes, muffins, cobblers, casseroles, pizza, scones, cookies, biscuits, and even cakes using pancake mix. If you don't believe me, go online to your favorite brand's

website and browse through their recipes. You might be surprised at what you see. Here are a few of my favorite “other” recipes.

-----------------------------------

Crepes

Ingredients: 1 c. Pancake Mix 1 c. Milk 1 egg Butter Directions: Whisk the mix, milk, and egg in a bowl until the mixture resembles a very thin, smooth batter. Coat the pan with butter and pour in a small amount of the batter. Swirl the batter around to coat the bottom of the pan, creating what looks like a large, thin pancake. Flip when the

bottom becomes a light golden color. Remove to a plate and repeat until the batter is finished, adding a thin slice of butter to the pan between each crepe.

The butter keeps the batter from sticking as well as giving the crepe a nice lacy pattern.

-----------------------------------

Biscuits

out the dough to 1/2 inch thick. Since I don’t pack my rolling pin, I just use whatever I have on hand like a sturdy water bottle.

Using a cup turned upside down, cut out rounds and place on a well-greased baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until the biscuits are done.

-----------------------------------

Pizza Crust

Ingredients: 2 1/2 c. Pancake Mix 1/3 c. Water 1/4 c. Melted Butter 1 Egg

Ingredients: 2 c. Pancake Mix 1/2 c. Water 1/4 c. Oil

Directions Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine all the ingredients together to form a dough, forming a ball. Dust the counter with pancake mix and roll

Directions: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Combine all the ingredients together to form a soft, sticky dough. Dust the counter with pancake mix and knead for about

1 minute. Let the dough stand for 5 minutes. Press the dough into a circle on a baking sheet and bake just until the crust starts to brown, about 10 minutes.

----------------------------------Melissa is a happy-golucky, thirty-something from Chalmette, Louisiana who recently moved to Long Island, New York.

She studied culinary arts at the Chef John Folse Culinary School at Nicholls State University. Between spending time with her family and immersing herself in books, she lives for exploring new places, bringing smiles to everyone she meets and sharing her passion for Southern cuisine with that unique Cajun twist.

-----------------------------------

13

home, but he would tell her “just play your game.”

Anna said her dad, always put on a brave face for her.

headlines &

When I asked Anna if her dad’s illness changed her in any way she said, “not to sound cliché but we realized how precious life is. In that one moment a lot of things changed, well everything changed.”

hemlines

written by Rachel Pardue

-----------------------------------

A Daughter's Perspective -----------------------------------

I

magine a high school and all of its stereotypes and cliques. Now imagine the nicest girl in the school.

She’s kind to everyone, lighthearted, and always ready to share the most contagious laugh.

I am proud to say that this girl is one of my closest friends. Her name is Anna.

What almost no one knows about Anna though, is that this adorably silly sixteenyear-old who seems to be happy every second of the day has been going through an incredibly real situation for over two years. Her dad was diagnosed with colon cancer when she was just fourteen.

The way this young girl dealt with her father’s diagnosis makes me love and respect her all the more, and I am sure you will too.

In high school, everyone has opinions. Regardless of how angelic or kind a person can be, at some point someone will be

14

mean, try to break you, or simply show hatred without justification. In this world teenagers everywhere enter from eight o’clock until three, it is unfathomable to imagine enduring the teenage game of popularity that everyone is subjected to, while your dad fights for his life at home.

mornings. Anna said, “I would send my dad a text saying ‘Good luck in chemo. I love you’, knowing that he was doing that for a couple hours it made it hard to focus in class because that was all I could think about.”

I am not going to try to sell you the standard ‘she was always brave, never cried, and was a perfect angel to everyone’ story.

Anna’s story is not a work of fiction; it is real life. She said, “I cried, cried a lot actually, but I didn’t cry where my family could see me just because you try to keep that strong image up.”

The biggest mystery to me is how Anna was able to keep her dad’s cancer a secret from her classmates and teachers, but when I asked her why she kept her dad’s illness to herself she said, “once people know, they’re going to treat you differently. I didn’t want their sympathy. If anyone deserves sympathy it would be my dad. Don’t Regardless of her situation, feel bad for me. I’m fine.”

Anna has not lost her spoton sense of humor. As I It is this courageous side of asked her if her family life Anna that very few people changed after her dad was get the chance to see. She diagnosed, she responded is so brave and strong that with a completely straight she does not even put up face, “It’s just like Breaking an armor against the world. Bad. No we never made She is just Anna, always any meth labs I swear.” happy always smiling.

Anna said that if she has Anna’s ability to find humor a teenage problem, you in the worst situations is know the standard Mean only surpassed by her Girls drama, her dad joking respect and admiration for says, “look I had cancer. her father. Anna said that That is life altering. This even when her dad was is nothing”. After coping undergoing chemo, he with a true problem at would drive her to tennis home it “put everything into tournaments all over the perspective.” state. Whenever it became evident that her dad was Anna did reveal that the in a great amount of pain, hardest part was Thursday Anna would beg him to go

I am happy to report that Anna’s dad is doing well; he is not in remission but seems to be on his way there. As for Anna, she is still as happy and amazing as always, and her view on cancer? “It’s a part of life. It’s awful. It’s terrible.

But I have a greater appreciation for life and how strong people can be to overcome it.”

------------------------------Rachel Pardue is a student at Cedar Creek where she is the junior class president, co-captain of the Cedar Creek dance line, the Emerald Entertainers, and she is a proud member of the Lady Cougar varsity basketball team.

Rachel is a member of the All-American Dance team and preformed in the London New Year’s Day Parade in England this year. In her free time, Rachel loves horseback riding and jumping her thoroughbred Pete.

This summer she will be attending The National Student Leadership Conference at Yale University and will be competing with the Emerald Entertainers at the National Dance Association summer camp this June.

As for college and her future, Rachel is keeping an open mind and figuring it out along the way, but she is excited to see what God has planned.

-------------------------------

Bonnie & Clyde Trade Days A little something for everyone...

Antiques, Collectibles, Arts & Crafts, Clothing, Plants, Pets and a Wide Selection of Regional Food Vendors

It’s Our Anniversary!

September 12th, 13th & 14th Kid’s Fishing Tournament

October 17th, 18th, & 19th (318) 263-2437 Toll Free: (888) 835-6112

Find us on facebook! www.bonnieandclydetradedays.com

●

● Although mammography is accepted as the “gold standard” for breast cancer screening, it does have risks.

Two of the most important include 1) radiation exposure, and 2) possibility of rupture from pressure.

● No one should be exposed to radiation when the risk outweighs the benefit. Infrared Thermology is completely

passive. NO energy is directed against your body. Infrared Thermology is non-contact. NOTHING touches your body.

If you are less than 50 years old, you CAN and SHOULD get screened — safely.

If you are concerned about the possibility of breast cancer, consider Infrared Thermology. Contact NEW BEGINNINGS to learn more. We are now accepting appointments for our September 19th screenings.

1809 Northpointe Lane, Suite 202 - Ruston, LA Monday-Thursday 8-5, Friday 8-3 318.255.1155 15

-----------------------------------

ice cream & other things that should be discussed written by Ashley Maddox

-----------------------------------

The Laws of Attraction -----------------------------------

I

am from rural north Louisiana.

Our guys up there are primarily rednecks. They like to go hunting and fishing and mud hogging. Most of their daddies are farmers or are involved in something related to agriculture. They have cute accents and that redneck boy charm.

While not every single guy in north Louisiana fits this mold, most are very close.

Then there are the south Louisiana guys. These boys are a whole different situation.

They most likely know about hunting and fishing but they are a completely different animal. Let’s start off with the accent. Nobody, and I mean nobody, in north Louisiana sounds like a southern LA boy. Then they do things like kiss you on the cheek, even if you are just a friend. The first time this happened to me I was meeting my

16

husband’s friend. We had all went out together and as the evening ended I went to hug the friend bye.

Well he ended up kissing me on the cheek as well. I remember thinking “What is happening here?” That doesn’t happen in north LA. The guy friends might have gotten a butt whipping for kissing someone else’s girlfriend, even on the cheek. When I asked my husband (who is from south Louisiana) about this phenomenon he thought nothing about it.

Now that I live in South LA I realize that this kissing on the cheek is a commonplace thing. So is calling all women baby or babe. There is no better way to make a girl from North LA feel special then to call her baby or babe.

Maybe it’s just me but it makes me feel special, and to be honest, quite attractive. Now I know that this is a part of the language down here but I still absolutely eat it up! My neighbor called me babe the other day and I just about melted right there.

I know how ridiculous it sounds. He is happily married and I am happily

married and there is no attraction between us but when he called me babe I just about blushed. I told my husband about it and he just shook his head and smiled.

I wonder if south LA girls have the same reaction to our boys from North LA?????

ns ope

er tob

Ashley is originally from North Louisiana but now resides in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her experiences growing up in the country and being transplanted to the big city give her a unique perspective into life's quirks and hilarities. She is active in the New Orleans lifestyle and she has a great group of friends from which to draw her inspiration. She is a member of the Krewe of Nyx, attends numerous Mardi Gras Balls, runs, and enjoys reading and ice cream. She is married to her loving husband Jerry (who may or may not have written this bio) and they have a dog named Turkish.

-----------------------------------

3

oc

Films subject to change. Call (318) 424-8660 for showtimes.

www.sciport.org | 318.424.3466 On the Downtown Shreveport Riverfront

Too Small.

Too Multipurpose.

Too Hometown.

NKING BTBT

BT

NEXT LEVEL

To me, that meant friendly, L A N DGBI B ASNLK AN &D T B RA UN S TK & T R U S T full-service and down to earth.

And…that’s exactly what I got with GBT. .

It’s banking at the next level.

ANKING BANKING GBT…THAT’S MY BANK.

l

the at NEXT the NEXT LEVEL LEVEL iendly,

Jacob Hester

n to earth.

he doubters.

I heard the doubters. what I gotSmall. with GBT. ll.

Too ipurpose.

Too Multipurpose. ext level. etown.

Too Hometown.

meant To me, friendly, that meant friendly, Shatce MY BANK. andfull-service down to earth. and down to earth.

at’s exactly And…that’s what I exactly got withwhat GBT.I got with GBT. ing at It’s thebanking next level. at the next level.

ter

…THAT’S GBT…THAT’S MY BANK. MY BANK.

b Hester Jacob Hester

GI B SLAND BANK & TRUST

SHREVEPORT GIBSLAND ATHENS MINDEN (318) 688-7005 (318) 843-6228 (318) 258-3123 (318) 371-9910

SLAND ATHENS PORT SHREVEPORT GIBSLAND GIBSLAND ATHENS MINDEN ATHENS MINDEN MINDEN 8-7005 (318) (318) 688-7005 843-6228 (318) (318) 843-6228 258-3123 (318) (318) 258-3123 371-9910 (318) 371-9910 8) 843-6228 (318) 258-3123 (318) 371-9910

BOSSIER ARCADIA HOMER SIBLEY BOSSIER ARCADIA ARCADIA HOMER HOMER SIBLEY (318) SIBLEY (318) 752-2727 (318) 263-8477 927-5075 (318) 371-9465 -2727 (318) (318) 752-2727 263-8477 (318) 263-8477 927-5075 (318) (318) 927-5075 371-9465 (318) 371-9465 CADIA HOMER(318) SIBLEY

8) 263-8477

(318) 927-5075

(318) 371-9465

w

www.gibslandbank.com www.gibslandbank

www.gibslandbank.com 17

WRITTEN BY: CHALAINE SCOTT

A FAIRY TALE You don't truly realize just how short life is until you're face to face with death.

It hits you when you say goodbye to a loved one for the very last time or stand over a grave and reminisce over a life. You don’t truly realize just how short life is until your faced with something that can kill you. Or rather, it’s growing inside your body. You never want to hear the “C” word in a diagnosis from your doctor. And you never really think you will. Because when you’re young, you’re invincible. At least we think we are. At least we thought we were.

I married my best friend, Ray, in 1999. From that moment on, we began building together. A life, a house, a family. But in the midst of our attempts to have a baby, my husband got sick. Really sick.

It was June in 2004 when the cold he couldn’t get rid of was

THE STORY OF AMANDA AND RAY ROBERSON.

18

diagnosed as Hodgkins Lymphoma. There was a tumor in the center of his chest and the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in his neck. Our perfect world was crashing down, but we were determined to build it back up.

the reality of how short life is. How time clicks away each second and we become closer and closer to our eternity. And how precious we should hold those minutes close.

It took a few years for Ray and I to work out being together. It took months to build our home. Less than a year for Ray to beat his cancer. Fifteen years to get pregnant with our son. And nine months for our world to change completely. We had prayed for a baby, and after Ray’s treatment, we didn't know if our request would be granted. But in 2009, our “prayer baby” entered into the world. Our world. Our cancer free world in a loving house we built on the land we own. He was our miracle, I don’t know that I’ll be granted any more of those. I don’t think God keeps a tally of the ones He sends our way, but in this life, I’ve been given It was a few weeks of this waging war in all the miracles a girl could want: a loving and Ray’s mind before he put Satan in his place. healthy husband, and a precious and healthy “I’m gonna beat this,” he said when he came son. out of church one Sunday. “The Devil is not gonna win.” And from that moment on, his Dreams do come true, you know. Sometimes, whole attitude changed. He had lost weight the villain doesn’t wear a mask. Sometimes the in the sickness, he had to leave his job for villain is a tumor sitting in the center of your medical reasons, he stayed cooped up in husband’s chest. But thankfully, we know the the house, he gave up on the gym because hero. And He’s still in the business of restoring. he couldn’t lift the weights he wanted to. But And we live to tell of another rescue amongst in no time, he was finding ways to alter his His success records. routines instead of giving them up altogether.

He gained the weight back that he’d lost.

He found ways to stay busy throughout his days. He mowed yards in the neighborhood because he couldn’t go to work. He walked the treadmill at the gym. He knew the cancer would change his life, but he was not going to let it take over his life.

The initial reaction to cancer is always the worst. Satan fills your mind with fears of death while God tries to keep you focusing on thoughts of life. It’s a constant battle. A back and forth challenge of beating the bad in your mind and choosing to focus on the good. The depression tries to take over, you don’t want to leave the house or interact with people or participate in the outside world.

You create your own little world, tortured by the thought of leaving it for good if the cancer takes your life.

It was hard watching the strong man I’d married become so weak. It was hard watching the guy who was so independent struggle to get through certain days. It was hard watching the cancer change him, but I changed, too. I put a smile on. I cried in the shower where he wouldn’t hear. I became the rock for him. And we clung to one another.

And believed with all we had. And it brought us closer as a couple. Closer to the Lord.

Closer to our faith. There’s a plaque we keep posted in our home, “Faith is accepting what God allows in our lives.” This has remained one of our favorite sayings, because it’s all about knowing that God has a greater plan.

No matter how awful it may seem in the moment. God promises us there is a purpose for everything, though sometimes the lesson may not be wanted. In our case, we learned 19

written by Rosemary Thomas endorphins.

There are a lot of folks addicted to exercise because they get that endorphin rush. Just thinking about myself being ----------------------------------- addicted to exercise makes me laugh. A lot. I may be addicted to a lot of things…

A Shift in wine, dark chocolate, the smell of puppy breath, Perspective: gardening, The Game of The Endorphin Thrones series, the sound of a cat purring, the music Quest of Van Morrison, camping, cookbooks and raising ----------------------------------- chickens… but note that exercise is not on this list.

Of course, when I laugh about how not being addicted to exercise I am, this releases endorphins so I am as happy as if I had aughter is the best just completed a 40 minute medicine. We have all Spin class. heard this saying and research shows there is a I used to work out a lot of truth to it! Laugher lot.

A regular Arnold can help heal a broken Schwarzenegger. But then heart, a hurting body I had the wild idea to open and a stressed-out mind. a restaurant…and work as Even a simple smile can a nurse part time… and help someone have a remodel an old house… better day – even you! and try to be a somewhat Apparently when you have attentive wife, mother, a really good laugh you daughter, sibling, and release endorphins which friend. The years have also can generate a warm and blessed me with knees fuzzy “all is right with the that creak louder than an world” feeling. Endorphins old door in an abandoned are chemicals released country house in a horror by the brain that inhibit movie… a back as tender pain and decrease stress. as an aged steak at a fancyOther things like spicy pants restaurant… and a food, dark chocolate and bladder as weak as a kitten. exercise can also release Couple those challenges

L

20

with a yanked-out thyroid and the metabolism of a post-menopausal threetoed sloth hanging off an iceberg and my gymrat days are behind me.

I am probably not going to get my endorphins by running a marathon (or a half marathon, or a 5K or maybe not even a jog around the block).

Not that I don’t admire folks with the determination and grit to get after it… Day after Week after Month.

My hat is off to them and I so wish I had that kind of self-discipline and drive.

But I don’t. Sometimes the truth is not pretty. I try to exercise but I have to confess that I am not very consistent.

Given the choice, I would much rather get my happy on by sitting in an overstuffed chair with my sweat pants, petting a cat, drinking a glass of Merlot, eating dark chocolate and jalapeno poppers and listening to Van Morrison singing ‘ She is sweeter than Tupelo Honey’ while flipping through a cookbook and waiting for The Game of Thrones to start. I mean – talk about an endorphin rush!

So – whatever floats your boat, whatever makes you smile and laugh….

whatever brings you joy!

Find it and do it. Life is short and precious and rich. Run a 5K or stand on the sidelines and cheer for those who are struggling. Don’t beat yourself up for not doing the running, but rather find joy in the fact you are raising up others. Smile already. Laugh. Laugh as much as you can. Never be embarrassed about laughing too loudly (well, it may be inappropriate at Uncle Joe’s funeral, but then again it may be just want Uncle Joe would have wanted). Laugher is infectious and you never know – somebody’s day may be turned around just because they heard you laugh. Laugh at yourself as much as you can. You are inherently, continuously, unimaginably funny.

Here are some recipes that may help you in your search for the elusive endorphin.

----------------------------------Whiskey Lemonade with Honey (In honor of Van Morrison and Tupelo Honey) 2 T whiskey (Maker’s Mark is mighty good) Juice of 2 fresh lemons Club Soda Honey Simple Syrup to taste Splash of lime juice and garnish of fresh lemon slice Add whiskey and lemon juice to glass with ice. Fill with club soda and then add a few tablespoons of honey simple syrup to taste along with a splash of lime juice if desired (Note: Honey simple syrup is simply equal parts honey and water combined in a sauce pan and simmered for about 20 min)

----------------------------------Spicy Dragon Wings (In honor of the Mother of Dragons in Game of Thrones) 1 T oil 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 onion, finely dices 4 T apple cider vinegar 2 T Worcestershire 3 T brown sugar Zest of 1 orange and 1 lime Dried red chili flakes (1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon to taste) Cayenne pepper (1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon to taste) 12 – 15 chicken wings

wing tips are starting to turn dark.

----------------------------------Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate Cookies (In honor of all things good and holy)

1/2 cup softened butter 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup dark or light brown sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla 1 cup flour 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp baking soda Heat oil and add onions 1/8 tsp salt and garlic until soft. Add 2 T milk all other ingredients 1 1/2 cup dark chocolate except wings. Simmer 20 chips minutes.

Blanch wings 18 chocolate coated while sauce is simmering caramels (Rolos) (this removes the blood Course sea salt from the bones). Coat wings with sauce and bake Using a hand or stand at 300 degrees for about mixer (paddle attachment), 30 minutes until crispy and cream butter. Add sugars

and cream until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla and set aside. In a separate bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Slowly add to wet ingredients. Stir in milk and fold in chocolate morsels.

The dough will be very thick and sticky.

Chill for at least 1 – 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350.

Take 1 T chilled dough and roll into balls. Stick caramel into 1 ball and top with another ball and seal the sides so caramel is nestled securely inside his little chocolate blanket.

Place on parchment lined baking sheet and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake 12 – 13 minutes (they will look soft and underdone). Let cool on the sheet pan for at least 5 minutes before moving to a rack to continue cooling. Makes 16 – 18 cookies. Store in an airtight container for a

week. Get happy.

Note: These are divine with a glass of Merlot.

----------------------------------Rosemary Thomas is an avid cook and gardener who enjoys the challenge of owning a restaurant and working with her daughter.

She is an RN and continues to work several days a week in Shreveport where she lives with her husband, three dogs, two cats and 80 chickens.

-----------------------------------

Dr. Kishore Malireddy General Surgery

MINDEN MEDICAL CENTER IS PLEASED TO WELCOME OUR NEWEST PHYSICIAN

Dr. Kishore Malireddy –“Dr. Reddy”– has his priorities in order and that includes his patients’ needs first and foremost. Due to his compassionate nature, he wants every patient to leave his office with no unanswered questions, a clear understanding of what–if anything – is wrong and next steps of care. Dr. Malireddy chose to become part of Minden Medical Center because of the “warm and welcoming staff, setting and community.”

Board certified in GENERAL SURGERY with additional fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic & Minimally Invasive Techniques, Dr. Malireddy’s ultimate goal is to provide comprehensive general surgical care by using recent advances in surgery. He has given multiple presentations during his training and extensively contributed to medical literature. Most recently, he received the 2013 Fellow Award for outstanding patient care, compassionate work, excellence in surgery and overall exemplary dedication.

Dr. Malireddy is accepting new patients at Surgery & Endo Associates located at 102 Monroe Street, Suite B in Minden. Appointments may be made by calling (318) 377-4534.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP American College of Surgeons Associate Fellow, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Indian Medical Council

EDUCATION GENERAL SURGERY RESIDENCY The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio ADVANCED LAPAROSCOPIC & MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY FELLOWSHIP Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC

PERSONAL Dr. Malireddy enjoys spending quality time outdoors with his wife, Kavitha, and daughter Vennela, running and cooking Indian cuisine in his spare time.

www.mindenmedicalcenter.com

#1 Medical Plaza | Minden, LA 71055 | (318) 377-2321

21

said. “Oh chil, you are precious. Those aren’t seed ticks.” Big Daddy paused and said with such kindness, “those are little moles on my face. You get ‘em when your old.” Ben seemed satisfied with that.

rants of an

old hen

written by Chris Broussard

-----------------------------------

Love Thy Neighbor -----------------------------------

W

hen our son was born, I knew that it would be a challenge to raise him without prejudice. I know that sounds like an unkind statement to make about the place I call ‘home’ but it was true and I would come to realize later just how deep it runs.

When Ben was around three or four years old, we took him to visit our closest neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Davis Moore, who lived a mile or so from us.

We had visited with the Moores before but on this day, we decided to spend a little more time. Big Daddy and Big Momma is what their family called them.

And they insisted that we called them that, too. It was not unusual to drive by and see Big Daddy and Big Momma sitting on

22

their front porch waving at passerbys. We decided to stop by one Sunday afternoon. We drove up and joined Big Daddy on the front porch. Big Momma was still in church. There were only three chairs on the front porch. I took the seat next to Big Daddy and Rick sat next to me.

Ben instinctively climbed up on to Big Daddy’s lap.

Big Daddy seemed to be pleased with that.

Big Daddy was in his eighties at this time. He was a big man. He had the sweetest nature and we always felt comfortable around him. While Ben was fiddling with Big Daddy's bluejean overalls, we began to visit like we always had but our conversations seemed to include more questions about his past and his life.

He shared with us that day that until recently he had never ventured out of the parish or the area for that matter.. He told his stories about picking cotton in the field across the road from his home. While he was sharing the details of his younger days, we noticed that Ben was focused on Big Daddy's face. I saw how Ben was looking at him and I worried that he would say something inappropriate.

Then it came. “Big Daddy?”

Ben asked. “Yes, sweet baby boy.” “Why do you have seed ticks all over your face?” We all just busted out laughing. Big Daddy laughed harder than anyone. He laughed so hard his belly shook up and down and the motion of his stomach lifted Ben up and down. He finally caught his breathe and

We would visit with Big Daddy over the years and he would always bring up that time when Little Ben asked about his seed ticks.

It would always make him laugh. We didn’t visit as much as we wished we had over the years. We watched them grow older and we watched their children and grandchildren grow up and grow older.

We came to realize that the Moore's were foster parents to more than 24 children.

They raised their own and found time to help others in need.

Many of their children and foster children grew

Big Daddy died in January of 1998. He was 92 years old, just one month shy of his 93rd birthday. Rick and I both attended his funeral.

And like every other time we were with him, it was a moment in time that we would look back on and feel privileged that we knew Big Daddy and Big Momma. We miss seeing Mr. Moore cross the street in his vegetable garden with his rake in hand. We miss the slabs of ham and bacon they would send over to us everytime they 'rendered' a pig. We miss seeing them wave at us from their front porch.

We loved them and they loved us. We were neighbors.

Photograph: “Mr. Davis Moore” --this painting by Chris Broussard is of Mr. Moore, the neighbor they all came to love.

----------------------------------Chris Broussard, cofounder and chairman of the board of Cultural Crossroads is an artist, an entrepreneur and currently the art enrichment teacher for Glenbrook. She started writing down her personal accounts of whimsical and heartfelt experiences in a blog called "Rants of an old hen." And will now share her favorites with Minute readers.

Disability and Medicaid Care Services in Louisiana Southern Ingenuity Inc. is proud to offer sitter service for more independent elderly persons who only need companionship and reminders to complete daily needs.

-----------------------------------

Companion Care

up to become college graduates and many if not all live successful lives as educators and professionals.

- Offer Companionship & Conversation - Monitor Weight, Eating & Diet - Assist in Routines: Food, Grocery Lists, Walking, etc.

- Assist in Sending Mail & Writing Correspondence - Assist with Clothes Selection, Gardening, Appointments - Help in coordinating transportation - Clip coupons for Savings - Provide Medication Reminders & Tracking systems - Play Games and Cards - Answer the door and screen visitors as requested - Read Religious materials - Assist in buying reading materials - Sort Pictures, Albums, Scrapbooks We also offer private hospital sitting and in-home recuperation assistance.

Find us on Facebook or at: www.southerningenuityinc.com

(318) 927-5046 598 Harmon Loop Homer, Louisiana 71040

23

White coats just talk while they look at her folder.

One day, though, a doctor listened to why she was in front of him. He put his file to the side. He put his elbows to his knees and took her hand and said, "I'm sorry you have been in such pain for so long, Jane."

strangers at my

coffeepot

written by Darla Upton from daughter, mother, grandmother, patient, caregiver, head horse feeder and yes, innkeeper.

-----------------------------------

The Calling -----------------------------------

J

ane is part of my group.

There are five of us, including me. We all have different roles ranging

24

Jane is a mom. She took her only daughter to college this year. She also has some affliction I can't pronounce making mayhem of her body. I may not be able to say it but I can tell you it leaves her exhausted, scarred, scared, broke, and hurting.

I know from late night texts she doesn't sleep. She is in the tub at all times of day seeking relief from the

pain. She sees this doctor for this part of her body and another doctor for another part. Lines of doctors, nurses, receptionists and bookkeepers. Miles of paperwork. Tons of orders.

Write down your history.

Don't eat after midnight.

Pee in a cup. Go to lab and give blood. Second door on the left. The doctor will be with you shortly. Years and years and years of this. She hurts and it feels like no one cares after the new wore off her affliction.

In the hospital again.

Out of the hospital again.

Finally! Someone in a position to do so had validated her pain and her struggle. A doctor had seen her as a woman that got dealt a crappy hand for no good reason. He had seen her as a smart, funny, pretty woman that should have been out high-fiving her teammates on a softball team, or running a 5k with her daughter for charity, or sprinting across a parking lot because she's late for work, again. He saw her for all she could have been instead of seeing another sick person's chart.

Did he have the magic pill to cure her? Nope. Jane is still sick. Jane still hurts.

But one time, not so long ago, a doctor looked at her

and said he was sorry. It didn't cure her, but it gave her the strength to keep going for another round.

smiles a lot. In bright red lipstick. She will kiss you if you don't watch her. But the smile and a nice word are sometimes all that's Another friend in my needed. Can you imagine group, prayed the paint if it came from someone in off the walls when a friend healthCARE? was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Kim When there is pain recited Bible verse and everyday and no relief, scripture non-stop while a person can have a her friend went through mountain to climb just chemo, puking and hair to manage a small task. loss. No matter the time of Another group member, day, she kept praying like Cathy, has no cartlidge a priest doing an exorcism. and bones rub bones.

When a nurse pulled up a Now, shouldn't her doctor chair to pray with her, it be amazed she's been made all the difference living this way? Shouldn't in that little room. Prayer he look up from the file and was probably the easiest acknowledge the journey thing that nurse did that to his door? I think so. day! As levels showed less cancer and doctors patted I think there are a lot of themselves on the back, kind, caring people who felt the nurses' station was a tug to join a profession of having a confirmation of healers. I think they forget faith! I'm sure those nurses how special they are and probably still talk about what a difference what they the little red-headed girl say, and do, can make. I praying. What they may know everyone, including not know is that little red- doctors and medical staff, headed girl remembers have a life going on. They the smile they all shared are no different than any as she wheeled her friend of us who go do our job out of that hospital. and then put supper on the table. But really, aren't Donna Jo, another they? Aren't they different member, moved in with than us because they Mama Josie this year to heard a calling to help help. Help is a little word others. Something in their that packs a big suitcase. soul told them to tend to Mama Josie likes things the sick. Something in their a certain way. She has heart kept guiding them on also been used to doing their path to being a doctor those things herself. New or any number of medical physical limitations can roles. For that reason, we drag down a person's expect more from them spirit. Donna Jo is there to because they have more say, "I got it, Mama," and to give.

They wouldn't say it in a way that makes have felt the calling if Mama feel loved instead of they couldn't provide the useless. She is also there nurturing. It is not an easy to sing because if you are job and we must let them in earshot when she does know how important they you will smile. Donna Jo are in the lives of the sick. gets the shopping done, remembers the medicine, Jane has had two drives to appointments appointments in two and sings while she does different states since I it so Mama Josie knows it started working on this isn't a burden to be there. column. Cathy has had And smiles. Donna Jo three. Kim's friend has

been in remission for going on four years. This incredible Wiggin' Out issue brings these types of battles and many others to you in the hopes you will help. Let me remind you there are so many ways to help. The next person you encounter with health issues, take their hand and acknowledge their struggle. Maybe there is a little bit of the calling in all of us to help the sick.

------------------------------Darla lives in Jefferson, Texas, where she raises her eight year old son, Atticus Gregory with her significant other, Hugh Lewis II. Hugh owns the Alley-McKay House Bed & Breakfast. Atticus Gregory is the Eloise of the McKay House.

Prior to being a selfemployed, stay at home mom she was a Civil

Litigation Paralegal for a defense firm in North Carolina. After leaving North Carolina, she lived in Houston for a short time.

She eventually returned to her hometown of Texarkana, Texas, where she met Hugh while working at the Texarkana Gazette as a production assistant.

Girl meets boy, girl falls in love with boy, girl has a baby and gets a bed and breakfast? It happened.

So, she was smart and professional at one time and now she can't find her keys, has more toys in her purse than pens, can't decide if she should color her hair again and sometimes she burns the bacon. Luckily, no matter what life hands her, she has a good sense of humor, vodka and her typewriter.

-------------------------------

25

Kristianne Stewart, Founder of Compassion That Compels

26

I

t’s a simple mission, really, I want to reach every woman battling cancer with God’s love and compassion. I used to think viral was something really bad. That is, unless it’s a social media related.

After a Facebook post “went viral,” we’ve blessed 727 BEAUTIFUL women battling cancer in 31states… since July, 2013. Compassion That Compels and Compassion Bags started with a letter, sweater and my two sisters-in-law and sister’s cancer diagnosis in a span of four years. To every good story, there’s always a backstory…

that disappeared within the sheets, and into my precious sister-in-law.

I didn’t know it at the time but what started with a letter, a sweater, and three women I loved diagnosed with cancer; began my Bible studies and ministry, Compassion That Compels.

What's in the Bag?

Anyone who has walked through cancer or alongside a cancer overcomer has at one time stuffed their clothes into an oversized plastic bag, closely resembling a reusable cold bag.

Jesus Calling Devotional:

I watched through the day as sunbeams moved across the waiting room like solar spotlights, settling along the length of a piece of furniture, highlighting God’s word reminds a cancer overcomer, that you its occupant’s emotions. The day had passed and are first an overcomer in Christ.

I was alone in the hospital waiting room. I’d read and reread my sister-in-law’s letter. Sonja's words To look back and be reminded that were written in red. “I want you to know I’m secure and very peaceful with you being here waiting on He never leaves you. me to wake up. So while you’re in the waiting room, you show someone your heart and make their wait Because hospital coffee a little more peaceful.” at 6 pm is often thick as glue.

My thumb ran imaginary creases across the folds of the letter. Rather than waiting on a call, I made During treatment my way to the recovery room and slipped past the your mouth is always dry or suddenly becomes dry nurse’s station. The chorus of beeps and bleeps emitting from machines guided me to Sonja’s lone when you see a doctor approaching with your chart bed. “Sonja, I’m here.” I watched her fingers pull in hand. lightly against the sheets. “Kristianne, I knew you’d come. I kept calling for you but I knew you’d come.

I’m so cold.”

For when even coffee glue can’t be found.

Journal: Scripture Tea: Scripture Mints:

Reusable Mug: Notebook & Pen:

I pillaged every piece of wheeled furniture around me for a blanket with no success. My eyes fell to To phonetically my bag and a wrinkled cardigan sweater. I picked write down all those big, Latin sounding words that it up and laid it weave-like under and over the tubes confirm this won’t go away with antibiotics and wish you’d paid more attention in science class.

Cozy Throw: Chick-Fil-A Gift Card:

Because if you’re not freezing, the person next to you probably is.

Just to get away from a hospital or treatment center to a land flowing with sweet tea and nugget sauce.

I am a stranger and a temporary resident on the earth; hide not Your commandments from me.

Psalm 119:19 (The Amplified Bible) This life is just a waiting room. So while you’re in the waiting room, do what Sonja wanted everyone to do -- show your heart.

27

Fight

For It

Written by: Victoria Axton

Cancer

-- such

a scary word and an even scarier diagnosis. The feeling that overwhelms

Marie Gilbert's .

Story of loss, love and inspiration.

you when you hear that someone close to you or even yourself – have such a diagnosis is almost unbearable.

All of the thoughts rush through your mind of the “what ifs” and “whys.”

Raw emotion and panic can sweep over you when you find out that cancer is rearing its ugly head at someone close to you. But there is one thing cancer cannot do, and that is 28

strip the diagnosed of their hope. That determination and hope allows the diagnosed to not overwhelm, but to help them learn to overcome.

For people like Marie Gilbert, Associate Athletic Director/CFO for the Department of Athletics at Louisiana Tech University and fellow Ruston native, that determination and hope come from family, friends and faith. Marie was not a stranger to the disease when she received her diagnosis of Ductal Carcinoma InSitu, breast cancer, in 2011. She lost her husband, Scott, in August of 2008 and her father in February of 2010 to cancer. So as she faced this head on, she began her treatment as a fighter and went into remission as a fighter.

These daily treatments and the daily commute to and from Glenwood Regional Medical Center in Monroe left Marie exhausted. Even though she was very tired, her support system kept her grounded. She was, and still is, very blessed to have such a strong group of supporters. She said between her family, friends, church family, co-workers and doctors, she couldn’t have a better team of people who have been there for her. Even before her diagnosis, she reunited with her high school sweetheart.

“My mom and sister were great sources of encouragement and strength,” she explained.

“I had lost my husband to cancer in August 2008 and my dad in February 2010, so all of this had brought us closer together as a family and support system. I also had friends who were Marie, then 55 years old, went in for her yearly always there for me. Actually one of my friends mammogram, which came back positive for was going through treatment at the same time cancer. as me so we encouraged each other.

“I went for my yearly mammogram in July of 2011 having no idea that anything was wrong,” Marie said. “I was called back a few days later to have an ultrasound performed. At that time, the radiologist confirmed that I did have breast cancer. I had surgery two days later.”

“Another major event in my life during that time was that I had reconnected with my high school, college, and after college sweetheart, Tim Gilbert. After all that, we ended up marrying other people. But almost 40 years later we get back together right before I am diagnosed. So his support was phenomenal. I finished my last treatment on a Friday in late September of 2011, and we are married that next Sunday afternoon in a garden wedding in New Orleans with family present.”

Marie did not waste time fighting for her health.

She did not give up. When asked what helped her fight, she said, “I think my attitude. I did not feel sorry for myself; I kept going even on days when I was really tired. My Scott never gave up and I certainly couldn’t do that either.”

From the heart break of losing those who were close to her, and learning that she also had to Even with all that was thrown her way, her faith fight the battle, to living in a state of victory over stayed strong throughout it all. She had such cancer, Marie has spoken not only about the peace when she found out that she just wanted plight of cancer, but life after beating it. her faith to shine through to all the other people who were fighting the same battles.

“Before losing Scott, I was like a lot of others just living my life and so unaware of the needs After her diagnosis, she commuted back and and suffering of others around me,” Marie said. forth to Monroe in order to receive the treatment “I believe self-centered would be the word. I she needed. Because of catching the cancer was asked to a Relay for Life meeting for our early, no chemotherapy was involved, but parish and since then, I have been an active there was extensive use of radiation. member in this support system for our area.

There are so many ways that we can help and “The report indicated that the removed tumor make a difference and Wiggin Out is one of had clear margins and there was no lymph those means to do this and share experiences. node involvement” Marie explained. “What Thanks for the opportunity to share my story.” this meant for me was no Chemo. My tumor; however, was hormone receptive positive. If there are people out there who have This indicates that the tumor or cancer feeds experienced such hardship, do not go about or grows from estrogen hormones. I did have it alone. Like Marie, gather friends and family seven weeks of daily radiation and am now around for support. It could be the catalyst for taking and will take Tamoxofen for the next five determination and hope. years.”

29

CH E T A L vs.

18 r A e S b T o U t c O , y a d Satur

30

31

THE STORY OF KRISTAL BREWTON

OVERCOMER WRITTEN BY CHALAINE SCOTT

are the lyrics of the song I blared from my “You're an overcomer. Stay These speakers, crying as I sang them, trusting that the words speak truths over my heart. And it was true, God in the fight 'til the final round. would was holding me then, as I fought Stage 3 Breast Cancer, You're not going under, 'cause and He’s still holding me now, cancer free.

God is holding you right now...” I am an overcomer.

32

But I’m so much more than that. I am a mom. A wife.

A sister. A daughter. A friend. A believer. I am breasts removed. I am hair growing back and strength still restoring. I am a brave face in a world of fear.

I was 35. I had faced some devastating moments like all do in their life. But the triumph moments outweighed anything else. I married a man who had defeated Testicular Cancer but lost the ability to ever have children.

There was a sort of solace over this, but I was just happy to have a healthy and cancer-free husband. And when we signed the adoption papers for our little boy, we knew cancer would never own us. At 35, I realized that when life throws trials your way, you’ve got to fight them until you beat them. At 37, I now know it more than ever.

God knew what he was doing when He put us together, because my husband knew my pain first-hand, and rocked me in his arms when my diagnosis came.

Sometimes, the goodness of a marriage comes with working through the bad that life throws into it.

always beside me. And thank God that no matter what I said or did, He never left. He was right there, teaching me lessons. Making me learn things I already thought I knew.

Like how to let the little stuff go. Like letting me realize the truly important things. He was there. Strengthening my body and strengthening my faith. Rebuilding my immune system and rebuilding my marriage. Healing my cancer and healing my heart.

No one wants cancer. I surely never want it again. But I’m glad I’ve had it. People will disagree. They won’t understand when I say that getting cancer was a blessing.

They’ll tell me I’m crazy or that I just don’t remember the real pain in it all. But I do. I can still feel the hair sliding out in between my fingers. I can still feel the nausea building up in my stomach. I can still feel the medicine travelling down my throat. Feel the needle injecting in my skin. Taste the metal in my mouth from the chemo.

See the scars on my chest. The reminders are here, but what I’ve gone through has changed me for the better.

It was all part of the plan. And on the days I couldn’t get my head off the pillow, on the days my husband had to bathe me because I couldn’t lift my arms, God was giving me strength in a different way. Strengthening my mind. Giving me the mentality to not give up. Giving me the time to pray and be alone with Him. And it wasn’t easy. But sometimes the most important lessons have to be taught the hardest way.

It was October 8, 2012 when I first received my diagnosis. I guess dates like that tend to stick out in your mind. I remember every detail but I don’t think it sank in right away. I was at work when I received the call. I remember telling my boss, “I have cancer, I need to go home.”

His reaction was just like mine, shock. When I got home and told And I learned. I learned that His ways my husband, it sank in. I became are higher. And the plan He’s written terrified. I did a lot of crying after for my life is incomparable to the one that. Of course your first thought is, I’ve drafted. And I’ve learned that I’m ‘I’m gonna die. I’m not going to see an overcomer. And amongst any of my son grow up.’ That list of fears the titles I might hold in my lifetime, you seem to add onto throughout this is one I’ll always be quite proud life doesn’t seem quite as close until of. you’re diagnosed with cancer. All of a sudden it seems like you'll never get The end of my cancer marked the to empy that bucket list you'd been filling up. My husband held me as I cried, promising it beginning of a whole new blessing. It was a time of celebration when I rang the bell to signify my last day would all be okay. of chemo. I’ll never forget the sound of that ring. Or the one of the phone call that added another huge blessing And I believed him. I had to believe him. to our lives. The little girl we had fostered and was taken The decisions came quick, but weren’t easy for my from us before I was ever diagnosed now needed an treatment. You spend most of your life worried about adoption home. It was the perfect gift after a long and how you look and how you’ll age and trying to keep tiring journey. The cancer was gone, and my life was reyourself young. You never expect a doctor to tell you beginning. there’s cancer spreading through your lymph nodes. You never want to have to make a choice to have both of your If there’s one thing I can say for sure, cancer increases breasts removed. You never want to watch your hair fall a lot of things: your fears, your bills, your fatigue. But out in clumps. You never want to look at your 5-year- it also increases your love, your gratefulness and your old son and wonder if you’ll get to see him turn 6. But faith. And what the latter gives you is worth every minute these are the trials, the ones God gives us to strengthen of what the cancer takes away. us and pull us closer to Him. And these are the people: the husband, the son, the family, the church members, That’s what I want everyone to know, really know. That the coworkers – the people who God gives us to get us cancer is scary and painful and defeating. But I am an overcomer. And that’s what anyone who is fighting needs through these moments of considerable pain. to remember, to be strong when you have to be strong.

Because sometimes just having someone to sit through Break when you have to break. And always, always pray. the agony with you can make a world of difference. And when there wasn’t someone with me, I knew God was

33

BREAST CANCER SCREENING

CAN SAVE LIVES images tend to provide doctors with better October is National Breast Cancer Digital visibility of the breast, chest wall and dense breast Through computer-aided technology, radiologists Awareness Month — the perfect time to tissue. are able to enhance certain areas of the digital images discuss the importance of mammography. Because breast cancer is often detectable in its early stages to get a more precise picture of a patient’s condition. when there’s a good chance for a cure, breast cancer The digital images can also be stored electronically, and later retrieved to share with other doctors if needed in screening is essential to early detection. the future.

Most significantly, mammography is an important line of defense against breast cancer because it can identify Digital Computer-Aided Detection tumors even before they can be felt.

To supplement this diagnostic technology, Northern According to the Centers for Disease Control and Louisiana Medical Center has a digital computer-aided Prevention, aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, detection (CAD) system which highlights common breast cancer is the most common cancer among women characteristics of breast cancer, including masses, in the United States. It is also one of the leading causes clusters of microcalcifications and breast tissue changes. of cancer death among women of all races. In 2008 (the most recent year numbers are available), 210,203 For women with private insurance, the cost of screening women in the United States were diagnosed with breast mammograms is usually covered without copayments or deductibles, but women should contact their cancer, and 40,589 women died from the disease. mammography facility or health insurance company The National Cancer Institute recommends that women for confirmation. In addition, Medicare pays for annual age 40 or older have screening mammograms every screening mammograms for all female Medicare 1 to 2 years. If a woman is at high risk for developing beneficiaries age 40 or older. breast cancer, her doctor may recommend screening at The professionals at Northern Louisiana Medical Center a younger age, along with additional imaging studies. are ready to provide the breast screening technique that Northern Louisiana Medical Center is a proud to offer a is appropriate for the individual woman. To schedule a mammogram, call 318-254-2791. variety of breast cancer screening techniques.

For more information on various breast diseases and conditions, the anatomy of the breasts, other screening A conventional screening mammogram is a low-dose tools and more, visit www.northernlouisianamedicalcenter.

X-ray test that creates images of breast tissue so doctors com, choose the “Health Resources” tab and type can check for lesions or other abnormalities. The x-ray “Breast Health” in the search box. images make it possible to detect tumors that cannot be felt, and can find microcalcifications (tiny deposits of Remember that this information is not intended to calcium) that sometimes indicate the presence of breast replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information to cancer. facilitate conversations with their physician.

A mammogram used to check for breast cancer after a ____________________________________________ lump or other sign or symptom of the disease is called a diagnostic mammogram. Besides a lump, signs of breast Northern Louisiana Medical Center is a 159 bed acute cancer can include breast pain, thickening of the skin of care hospital providing an array of medical services the breast, nipple discharge, or a change in breast size including: cardiology, intensive care, Level II NICU, or shape; however, these signs may also be signs of imaging, rehabilitation, and physician services. NLMC benign or non-cancerous breast conditions. has served the community of Ruston and the surrounding area since 2007.

Screening and Diagnostic Mammography

Digital Mammography

At Northern Louisiana Medical Center women who undergo routine mammograms also have up-todate diagnostic technology available with digital mammography. While digital imaging feels almost identical to conventional mammography, its benefits are a shorter exam time than traditional mammograms, and less chance that patients will be called back for repeat exams.

34

____________________________________________

www.WigginOut.org

> 232,340

< 73% Less than 73% of women get the recommended breast cancer screening tests.

> 3,630

It is estimated that more than 232,340 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013.

This year more than 3,630 women in Louisiana will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

2,800,000

More than 2.8 million American women are breast cancer survivors.

Excercise, not smoking and limiting exposure to radiation and pollution lowers the risk for breast cancer.

Drinking alcohol, lack of physical activity and family history increases the risk for breast cancer.

85% 30 98% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.

One in Eight

An average of 30 women in Lincoln Parish are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

When detected and treated early, 5-year relative survival for localized breast cancer is 98%.

American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer

35

18. Take the time to ask the things you’ve always wanted to your parents.

You’ll love knowing them in this light.

a season of

becoming in new orleans

written by Shelley Duran

-----------------------------------

27 Things for 27 Years

-----------------------------------

I

f you could, what would you share to your younger self? As another birthday for me is approaching this month, I’m feeling wise. Picture it, I and my younger self are at a BBQ joint. After some time, I lick the sauce off my fingers and say “Here’s the thing…” This is what would follow: 1.It’s just hair. Wear it up.

Wear it curly. Cut it off. Dye it red. Eventually, it will return.

more adult, it makes it infuriating and cry about it. exhausting. No one has Accept and move on. time for this.

11. People will come to 4. If you’re justifying the you at some of the worst decision you made, it and best moments of their probably isn’t the right lives. Thank them for this. choice for you. Trust your gut and your God. 12. When people tell you Leave your ego out of the who they are, believe them. equation.

They know themselves better than you do.

5. That guy buying you that dog will be your saving 13. There’s going to be a grace. He will not last, but season in life where you the dog will and you will will lose everything you forever be grateful. thought you wanted. This will be the moment that will 6. Instead of biting your change everything. This is tongue each time you the best moment of your realize your mother was life – but it will take a while right, call her and tell her. to feel that way.

She will love it and you’ll be a better person for the 14. New Orleans will feel admission. like fresh air to you. It will sometimes, however, 7. Don’t discount the actually smell of urine and consequences of your stale beer. actions, but don’t be afraid to fail either. It’s a fine line 15. That bohemian look – learn to walk it. Life is too might be attractive to you, short to learn everything but you CANNOT pull it off. the hard way.

Again, accept and move on.

8. Surround yourself with people who will push you. 16. It’s perfectly acceptable Push you to be better, to to have a kitchen dance keep trying, to talk to that party in your home instead stranger and to finish that of going to the bar. It’s also drink. cheaper.

2. It’s okay to want to go.

There’s so much in this world to see, home can be inside your heart just as much as it can be an address on a mailbox.

Enjoy having wings and know there will be a time where putting down roots will be necessary and just 9. Nothing can be mistaken 17. You’re going to pray to as exciting. for kindness. find an extraordinary group of women to be friends 3. Loving doesn’t have to 10.

Every emotion with. You will find them. be hard. Hard love doesn’t eventually comes out your Don’t let go. make the relationship tear ducts. You’ll find this

36

19. All you need is one dessert in your repertoire.

20. Always always always take the help that’s being offered to you.

21. Accountability is your friend, but first it will tick you off.

22. Being vulnerable is the strongest thing you can do.

23. There’s something about saying things out loud that causes them into fruition in your life. Use thing to your advantage.

24. Own it. If you can't, then change it.

25. It doesn’t matter if your sheets and pillow cases don’t match. It does matter if they’re dirty.

26. Texting is okay. Calling is better.

27. Take the hand when it’s being extended to you.

It’s so much better to hold hands.

----------------------------------Shelley is a twenty something gal twostepping in Lafayette, Louisiana.

When she's not working as a Marketing Manager for the Chamber of Commerce, she can often be found running through her neighborhood in order to enjoy Cajun cuisine on a regular basis. Her beloved dog, Olive is often by her side. Follow her rants and quips on Twitter @shellbellduran.

-----------------------------------

37

Seth Plunkett, Family Man diagnosed Hodgkins Lymphoma. There was a tumor in the center of his chest and the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in his neck. Our perfect world was crashing down, but we were determined to build it back up.

The initial reaction to cancer is always the worst. Satan fills your mind with fears of death while God tries to keep you focusing on thoughts of life. It’s a constant battle. A back and forth challenge of beating the bad in your mind and choosing to focus on the good. The depression tries to take over, you don’t want to leave the house or interact with people or participate in the outside world.

You create your own little world, tortured by the thought of leaving it for good if the cancer takes your life.

It was a few weeks of this waging war in Ray’s mind before he put Satan in his place. “I’m a year later, Seth has met and How is it that the most hopeless Fast-forward married his beautiful wife Taylor and they situations have a way of turning into are happily awaiting the birth of their first child Seylor. After getting a wonderful report inspiring stories? from his doctors, Seth reopened his tattoo Somehow God takes the broken pieces and little by little puts them together into an image that is more beautiful than the original.

For Seth Plunkett, this is more than true.

Seth was diagnosed with leukemia just two weeks after the grand opening of his tattoo shop Symbolic Skin Body Art. At the age of 25, life was not going as Seth had planned.

After shutting down his business and going through his first two rounds of chemotherapy, Seth was alone other than a couple of family members who came to visit. Seth said, “I asked God to change that ‘cause I never wanted to have to go through something like that so alone again.”

shop and was ready to begin life with his new family.

Unfortunately, a month after reopening his business, Seth found out that his bone marrow wasn’t responding to treatment and he would need a stem cell transplant.

Seth’s older brother was a perfect match and agreed to give Seth the stem cells he needed.

Seth was scheduled to have his transplant the week before his wife’s due-date, which would mean that Seth would not be able to be around or hold his daughter until many months after his transplant. Miraculously, Seth’s blood work showed that his leukemia had become less aggressive and his doctors were able to postpone the transplant. By nothing short of a miracle, Seth was able to welcome Seylor into the world and spend

gonna beat this.” He said when he came 38

two months with his newborn daughter much shaving for me, and my baby girl every before he had to undergo the stem cell night would reach her little hand up to my face transplant. and grab my scruffy chin just to make sure I was there because she knew I had been Since the procedure, Seth has become gone so long. It was like that for a good three incredibly interested in woodworking, which months until she realized I wasn’t leaving her is his brother’s hobby. Seth says, “I guess its again.” true that recipients can acquire some of the traits of their donor.”

Seth was given a donation by Wiggin’ Out, and Seth says that “its really great to know that Seth had to be in isolation for 24 days, he [Wiggin’ Out] is LOOKING and SEARCHING said, “I didn’t see my daughter other than for people to help. Honestly, I never would through the Bone Marrow Transplant unit’s have known to apply because I’m a guy and door window every one would assume it's now and then.” Despite an organization to help the time away from women get wigs during his family, Seth calls treatment right?” himself lucky because most transplant At the time he received recipients are in the donation Seth was isolation for much unable to work and longer, sometimes wasn’t on disability. Seth even a year. said, “the donation I got from Wiggin Out was After being released, definitely much needed Seth had to stay at and much appreciated, the American Cancer and such a blessing that Society’s Hope Lodge I wasn’t even expecting in New Orleans it.” because he still had to see his doctors It has been almost every day. In addition, a year since Seth’s Seth had to wear a transplant and life is dust mask everywhere beginning to return to because he was still normal. Although Seth is immune-compromised. still unable to tattoo, he Seth said, “my wife says, “I still have my life would come and visit and my family and that’s some but our baby all that really matters to couldn’t stay because me.” it’s a policy of [the Hope Lodge] that no As for Seth’s explanation one under 14 can stay of his experience with there, so she had to cancer, he said, “I guess stay home six hours my guardian angel away with the baby works overtime.” most of the time.”

Photographs After getting good Left: Family Photo of reports and returning back home, Seth was Seth, Taylor, and Seylor. Right top: Seth and ecstatic to be reunited with his family. He daughter Seylor's "what you lookin' at cancer said, “when I was released and they let me face?" while he was in isolation at the hospital. go back home, I had a beard because all my Right bottom: Reunited! hair was coming back so fast that it was too

Written By: Rachel Pardue 39

Written By: Kim French

This is the logo on a tee shirt my daughter, Megan, and son, Daniel, gave me. I wear it proudly and no explanation is needed.

Faith, family and humor “got me through” this time in my life. A year prior to my diagnosis, I had a “dress rehearsal” when I went to M D Anderson for a suspicious area in my breast. Nothing there but I was put on a one-year call back. One year later, the diagnosis was devastating. Malignant…my head and thoughts were spinning. Would I lose my breasts…would my hair fall out…would the surgery mutilate my body…would the treatment make me ill…could I continue to work… oh, what about my mom and dad…mom had just gone through this same ordeal…would my significant other stick by me (he’d lost his wife only two years earlier to cancer)…but the big question…AM I GOING TO LIVE?!?! It was a total out-of-body experience!

As my life spun on a dime…the pace was at break-neck speed.

Diagnosed on my 49th birthday, February 26th, it was all uphill from there. Bilateral mastectomies with immediate reconstruction with tissue expanders in March and a total hysterectomy in April with chemo therapy to begin the end of May. 16 rounds of chemo that lasted all summer and into the fall. Next came 32 radiation treatments which wrapped up my year right before Christmas. What a great gift to be finished with that phase of the treatment. I patiently waited on my body to heal doing yoga and physical therapy knowing I would soon be having the other part of my breast reconstruction. Remember the expanders, those had to be replaced with regular breast implants and to do that a muscle was needed from my back to help hold the new implants in place and provide extra protection for them. All this would be completed in April-- just about a year after I had started this journey. Two years down with 3 years to go before I join the many survivors of the most devastating and hard fought fight of my life.

During this ordeal, my employer – my family – at our family-owned and operated business – expected me to be there. Reverse psychology was their strategy.

40

I had to keep moving.

No time to feel sorry for myself.

My brother, Brad, had a saying… ”can’t let it get in her head”… meaning to quit dwelling on it! I owe my family for “making” me keep on keeping on!!!

I wake up each morning excited about facing the day - - then I remember I’ve had cancer and daily fight this battle. I tell myself that I am a survivor – throw back the covers – dress and head off to face the day…a blessing that I take seriously every day! Thank you, God! Thank you…thank you…thank you…

P.S. My life’s good even if “they” are fake!

GROW YOUR EARNINGS with a Kasasa checking account at Bank of Ruston.

Bank of Ruston Relationship Bankers, Angie Biscomb, left, & Shonna Jordan, right.

At Bank of Ruston, growth is important to us and also to our customers.

We’re focused on growth in the products and services we offer and also in the technology we provide to make our customers’ banking experiences convenient and pleasant. And, you’ll always receive the local, hometown service you expect and deserve at Bank of Ruston.

Visit, call, or log on today to see how we can help you grow!

Come

with us.

Growing since 1905

www.bankruston.com Find us on Facebook

505 North Vienna Street 2109 Farmerville Highway Ruston, LA 71270 • 318-255-3733

Member FDIC

41

a collage of southern stories and recipes:

seasoned moments written by Barbara Ellis Durbin -----------------------------

Lovin' Chocolate Cake -----------------------------

L

ove comes to us in many forms. In the giving of a chocolate cake, in a hug when you’re down and out, or a neighbor’s phone call to see if you are O.K. We may not always hear words, but gestures can speak clearly.

Unfortunately, we often allow the love from our heavenly Father to slide by. God sends it daily, without measure; yet we tend to take it for granted He places the very depths of his devotion to us in the world at large. His love is a glistening dew drop on a winter-bare rose bush.

His affection is found in the hardy fragility of the flowering snowbells as they hang their heads in a wet and frosty spring.

When the cold March wind broadsides us, it

42

love without measure; so should we. By following his example, we secure a legacy which will supersede time itself and His love is the glow of carry us into the folds of sunshine as warm streams eternity. glide through the windows of our home. It is in the tiny “And now abide faith, dust motes we see dancing hope, love, these three, along those golden strands but the greatest of these is of light. Those particles love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 are sent to remind us his benevolent protection ----------------------------------covers us as certain as dust settles on furniture. Dust Lovin' Chocolate Cake bunnies swirling under the bed are an assurance that Cake: he is everywhere. When No stick cooking spray we lay our head upon the 1 1/2 t. baking soda pillow, we are guaranteed 1/2 c. cooking oil security greater than the 2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour blankets with which we are 2 T. vinegar 1/4 c. cocoa bound.

3 T. applesauce His true love knows 1 c. sugar no limits. It cannot be 1 1/2 t. vanilla physically taken from 1/2 t. salt us because it cannot be 1 1/4 c. cold water grasped by fleshly hands.

It cannot be sold or bought, Preheat oven to 350 for it is without measure degrees. Coat a 9”x13”x2” and therefore priceless. baking pan with no stick The only thing you can do cooking spray; set aside. with love is to bestow it Sift flour, cocoa, sugar, salt, and soda together in upon others. a large bowl. Add vinegar, Therein lies the secret vanilla, applesauce, water, Beat with an to a full life; as he gave and oil. is a reminder that God’s guiding force is stronger than the surrounding air currents.

electric mixer at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 30-35 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in the center. Allow to cool, then frost.

Frosting: 1 1/2 c. confectioners’ sugar 1 t. vanilla 3 T. cocoa 1 T. water 3 T. margarine 3 T. corn syrup Combine sugar, cocoa, margarine, and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl.

Place water and corn syrup in a small pan and heat to simmering, do not boil.

Add the hot syrup to sugar mix and beat with electric mixer on low speed for 3 minutes or until smooth.

Spread on warm cake.

----------------------------------Barbara Durbin is a legal secretary and a published newspaper and magazine columnist.

When not at her "real job", she works on her baskets filled with vintage books/ china for "The Vintage Bee." She loves a walk in the woods and her time with God. Barbara and her husband have four children, four grandchildren and a dappled dachshund named Bella.

Look for her on facebook and follow her "Pocket Full of Moment" comments.

-----------------------------------

“The Fried Pie Capital of Louisiana” Dine In • Carry Out

Breakfast • Lunch • Specials Daily

Daily Lunch Buffet

10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Open

Thursday - Friday - Saturday 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sunday 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

COME BE

I-20 @ Exit 69 • Arcadia, LA

AMAZED T R -PO

at

I C S

318-263-3212

Ruston Florist is now your favorite department store

RUSTON FLORIST AND BOUTIQUE

TAKE 30% OFF

Everything Pink IN THE STORE

*Valid September & October 2014 Must present coupon to receive discount

On the Downtown Shreveport Riverfront www.sciport.org

(318) 424-3466

1103 Farmerville Hwy RUSTON, LA

318-255-8747

WWW.RUSTONFLORIST.COM

43

Written By: Sanjay A. Joseph, M.D.

An Oncologist View on

Breast Cancer

What is breast cancer month all about?

Raising awareness, promoting prevention, and encouraging people to donate towards finding a cure.

Breast cancer is an illness that does not discriminate based on age, gender, or race. The easiest way to raise awareness is to rally around those you know to get mammograms yearly. Often times preventative tests are the last things we want to do, and simply put them off.

This simple and easily performed test can save you or your loved one's life. If I can give people one piece of advice, it is to get your annual mammogram.

the healthcare provider and the staff that is going to fight the battle with you. Look your healthcare providers up. Do your research, and ask people you know who they would recommend. Feeling comfortable with your healthcare providers is important because you want to make sure you are completely happy with the person who you choose to fight the fight with you.

Every oncology office should help patients gain funding and put them in hands with the right resources to help alleviate the burden of the diagnosis. If your healthcare provider office is not able to provide you with these resources , There are other preventative tests that should be noted. please use these links to help obtain free wigs, support groups, clinical trials, help on utilities and gas cards, and Two in particular are the BRCA test and OncotypeDx. A woman's chance of being diagnosed with breast travel assistance. cancer and/or ovarian cancer increases if she inherits the BRCA1 gene or the BRCA2 gene. Men with these Additional Resources: mutations also have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Therefore, the BRCA test is crucial for patients with a strong family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. WWW.CANCERFOUNDATIONLEAGUE.COM Most recently the BRCA test gained awareness thanks Cancer Foundation League: a non profit that provides to Angelina Jolie undergoing the test since she had a financial assistance to cancer patients in the Northeast Louisiana area family history of breast cancer.

The other test is Oncotype Dx that gives physicians insight on how to best treat patients with early diagnosed breast cancer patients. Oncotype Dx is a test that gives a patient assurance as to how successful chemotherapy would be post surgery. It also gives one other crucial piece of information, it can give a physician the ability to tell a patient their chance of reoccurrence.

WWW.CANCER.ORG

American Cancer Society: a national nonprofit that provides money towards all cancer research, wigs for patients, and access towards clinical trail matching services.

WWW.KOMEN.ORG

Susan G. Komen: a national nonprofit for breast cancer patients that provides money towards research, funding If diagnosed, your treatment can vary from surgery mammograms and prosthetic bras for low income patients alone, to surgery and a combination of chemo and/or as well as so much more. radiation. As an oncologist, treatment has advanced and there are so many treatment options now. Treatment is WWW.LLS.ORG not easy, but it can be done and sticking through with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: a national nonprofit it is crucial. Just as crucial is feeling comfortable with providing funding for Leukemia and Lymphoma patients.

44

written by Judith Roberts

-----------------------------------

Living a Life for Legacy -----------------------------------

"S

o you know how I write that column for the Minute Magazine?”

My grandmother glanced at me. “Yes…” I picked up a piece of the IHOP pancake on my fork.

“So I’m writing about you next time,” I said.

“ME?!”

“Yep. Just thought I should let you know.”

My grandmother, a beautiful woman with dazzling blue eyes and a stunning smile, blushed slightly and looked down at her plate. She said something about not making up too many lies about her, and I assured her I’d keep them to a minimum. That’s why I’m not quoting her on her exact wording, because I don’t remember it precisely.

My grandmother is the type of woman books should be written about. When I think about her life and the legacy she’s left, I just hope I can leave one half as remarkable.

Like everyone, she’s endured hardship. Three rounds of cancer, the loss of children and a grandchild, and the loss of a husband could make any person bitter. Angry at the world. Angry at God. But my grandmother has shown a peace and beauty that’s beyond anything I could hope to achieve on my own. She’s the embodiment of a quote I read recently: She’s not just strong. She’s faithful.

She’s beautiful.

Beautiful people do not just “happen”; they are formed through time and trials, and their reactions to ordeals make them gems. My grandmother celebrates life. When I was young, she would tell anyone and everyone about her grandchildren – and she had plenty to talk about!

Did you know Scott had been accepted into law school?

Bryce did so wonderful in his soccer game!

How is Ashley doing with her music lessons?

Then, as her grandchildren began to have careers and children of their own, the names have changed, but the enthusiasm remains the same.

Joshua and his parents (because the great-grands always comes first now, of course) are moving back to Memphis!

That Miriam is such a sassy little cutie!

Did you see Alice went to the zoo last weekend?

Of course, the last one (with my daughter mentioned) is my personal favorite. I joke that I’m the favorite grandchild and Alice, by default, is the favorite great-grand, but we all know that’s (possibly) not true. Granny does not play favorites; she loves all of us equally, and we do not doubt her love.

change. But I don’t think that our lives are meant to live merely for our pleasure. What kind of life would I live – what kind of legacy would I leave? – if my life was focused more about my comfort than loving and serving others?

Alice has several women in her family to see courage, strength, faith, including my grandmother.

I just hope she will be able to see the same in me, too.

----------------------------------Judith Roberts is a journalism instructor at Louisiana Tech University and a born and raised Louisianan. She is an alumna of Tech, Grambling State, and the University of Southern Mississippi.

She and her husband Kyle have one gorgeous and feisty child, Alice, and they are members of Temple Baptist Church. Judith has run three half marathons and also enjoys reading and writing -- but not arithmetic.

-----------------------------------

Though we don’t live as near as I would like, I absolutely love that my daughter will have a close relationship with her greatgrandmother. In fact, God-willing, she’ll have dear relationships with all of her greatgrandparents.

Thinking about my own life, sure, there are definitely parts I wish I could either do-over or

45

--------------------------------

Light and Hope: A Tribute to Robin Williams --------------------------------

I

’m sure everyone can remember the first time you really thought "Hey, this guy is really funny." If you can’t you were probably not born before the year 2000.

Of course I am talking about the late Robin Williams. He has graced so many movies with his talent and wit. And I was never really sure what his real accent was.

Personally, my favorite character was Genie from the Disney classic Aladdin. Of course we all now know that Mr. Williams ended his own life. We all know that he suffered terribly from depression. I’ve seen Facebook debates on why he did it and

46

why we shouldn’t give more recognition to his death than to a soldier’s death suffering with the aftermath of war. I’ve seen people debate on what the Bible says about suicide and what Christians are saying about it and what they think God thinks about it. People often times live behind a mask.

They can hide what is going on by smiling on the outside while they are suffering on the inside. Robin Williams was smiling on TV and making us all laugh, but he was tormented by fear and hopelessness.

After my first born child came into this world, I had no idea what to expect.

Like many new mothers, I was exhausted. I had an intense labor that ended in Cesarean delivery and that was definitely not part of my birth plan. It was not even a thought. My daughter was perfect. She was beautiful and healthy.

She had eating issues, as do many formula fed

babies. She cried some, but mostly she was a good infant.

As the postpartum days turned to weeks, I began to feel – for lack of a better word – sad. Extremely sad! Debilitatingly sad!

I had the most horrible anxiety about my baby and about my husband and about the dishes and about the bottles and about the clothes.

I couldn’t make an easy decision. If someone asked me what I wanted for supper, it would turn into a very lengthy, anxiety laden, guilt ridden non decision. I

would not only cry over it, but I was afraid I would cause someone to die over it. I could not handle things anymore.

My husband would come home and I would sit in his lap (and I was still very large at this point) and weep uncontrollably because he hadn’t died.

I didn’t want my Mom to leave me. That caused me stress and grief. In my head I knew that this really was normal, but I chalked things up to hormones. Finally, my mother urged me to talk to my doctor. When I started to tell my doctor about what was going on with me, I just broke down.

She assured me everything would be fine, that it sounded like I was suffering from postpartum depression.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I couldn’t be depressed. I didn’t do things like that. I was too strong for that sort of thing. She assured me that most cases are mild and treatable.

She explained that the hormones had shifted

greatly and quickly after birth and caused this.

She also explained that there was nothing I could have done to prevent this from happening. In other words, it wasn’t a character flaw. I wasn’t a bad mom or a bad wife. I was going to recover. And I did.

------------------------------April is a wife and mom living in Sarepta, Louisiana. When she's not working as a dental hygienist, she's out

taking pictures or just following her two cute kids around. Find out what she's up to by following her blog at

lagirlrevelations. blogspot.com or follow her on twitter @lagirlrevs.

-------------------------------

When I think of people like Robin Williams that felt the only choice that they had was to end their own life, it makes me incredibly sad. I, in no way, am saying that I know how a person feels when they are to that point, but I can see how incredibly lonely and terrifying it must be for them. They can only see dark when there is light. They only see fear when there is hope.

Depression is a real disease, no matter what the cause is. It has real symptoms and it can cause a real death if it is left untreated. I see no need to debate an issue on whose life is more important than another.

Everyone is special to someone. You can believe that.

If you are fighting the fight of depression: don’t give up! The world needs you.

There is light through the darkness and there is definitely hope. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and to give you HOPE!”

47

the

journey written by Jason McReynolds doctor and their disease being gone. The doctors had no explanation. The follow-up tests were clear.

God healed them. And now you are asking, “What about me?”

-----------------------------------

Spiritual Healing in the Midst of Sickness -----------------------------------

Y

ou’ve been sick for a while now. You’ve been fighting and praying.

You’ve been working hard physically and staying strong emotionally… in public and with your family.

But how are doing spiritually? Are you wondering? Questioning?

Second guessing? You know that God is real. You know that the bible says He heals people. You know (or at least remember) the stories of Jesus healing people. Does He still do that? You’ve heard stories of other people going to the

48

going to church and can recite all the books of the bible from that little song?

That’s knowledge but not a relationship. Did you grow up in a family that prayed before meals and bedtime? That’s a start but chances are that it wasn’t you talking to God, right?

And if it was, were those prayers the same every time? That’s knowledge in how to talk to God but not a relationship. A relationship with God is just as it would be with anyone else… except God is invisible. Ok, that sounds weird. Instead of talking to your “invisible friend” (and losing all your current friends in the process) think of God as being everywhere, because He is. You can’t get away from God. He’s here.

Right now He’s here. And He wants your full attention.

Well, the amazing thing is this – God is the same as He was 3,000 years ago. He is the same as He was 100 years ago. He is the same as He will be in 3,000 more years (Hebrews 13:8). So if Jesus healed when He was with us, where is your healing? Does Jesus have to physically be in your hospital room to heal? No, because His disciples were given His power to heal as well. So healing isn’t dead. It’s manipulated and distorted by tv preachers but it’s not dead because God isn’t dead. So the question obviously arises, “Then why am I still sick?

Why is this happening to me?”

The bible says that almost everyone believes there is The bible gives us a God (James 2:19) but three spiritual reasons most people do not have that we can lean on for a relationship with God. understanding and strength That’s what Jesus died during this difficult time: for. You! That’s what the cross and the resurrection 1.

The first is your are all about. On the cross relationship with Jesus Jesus took our sins that Himself. Do you know we would have had to Him or do you know about pay for upon death. The Him? Did you grow up resurrection proved He

had the power to take our sins in the first place. He took the first step in the relationship. He is the only one who has battled death and won permanently.

Knowing Jesus is different from knowing about Jesus.

Does a relationship with Jesus guarantee you will be healed. No. But you will know the one who can heal you and that’s a great first step. His full plan for your life is not something that I know, but for every man, woman, and child it starts with a deep relationship with Him through prayer, scripture, listening to His small voice inside of you, and trusting Him. 2. If you have a relationship with Jesus then another reason that we deal with sickness is to draw us and keep us close to Him. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 a guy named Paul is going through some rough stuff.

It isn’t made clear exactly what it was but it was not fun. Here’s what he says: “Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Paul wasn’t strong without Jesus. He was weak all the time because of this

“thorn” but God’s power came through in his weakness. In the process it made Paul rely on God all the time. Perhaps you can relate. Perhaps you’ve realized that you are not in control. This is actually a great place to be because it shows your weakness and allows God’s strength to be seen in you and to those around you. Does this guarantee that you will be healed? No. In fact, as best we can tell, Paul had his “thorn” up to the day he died. But he didn’t die because of the thorn. Paul trusted in God.

on the fact that He might yet heal you. Trust your doctors (because God has placed them in your life), but also trust what your Father in Heaven is doing right now in your life even if you cannot even begin to fathom why. One day it will be made clear. Until then, trust your Heavenly Father.

Trust in Jesus.

----------------------------------Jason McReynolds is the pastor of New Orleans Community Church. He and his wife, Liev, have two boys and one little girl.

Jason enjoys hanging out with his family and friends, watching and/ or playing any kind of sports, and taking his

wife out on dates. To learn more about him, or NOCC, visit: www. neworleanscommunity church.com -----------------------------------

3. Another reason this has occurred may be to test your trust in Jesus.

Another man in the bible named Job had most of his life taken away by the devil with the full knowing of God. His property, his job, his kids, his health, his house… almost everything. But Job never waivered in his trust of God. He didn’t know what was going on but he trusted his Heavenly Father. In the end, God restored Job and blessed him more than before. Does this story guarantee that you will be healed? No. But hopefully it helps you see that you are never weak enough to quit trusting Him. Job trusted God just as you can trust Him. Now if all of this seems way to simplistic for what you are going through, it’s because it is. I fully admit this. I am in no way diminishing the incredible emotional toil and mental anguish you may be going through. Just know this… if you have that relationship with Jesus, He is with you. Don’t give up on the fact that He can heal you. Don’t give up

www.MindenMedicalCenter.com

49

written by Liz Hines throat pulling yet another bone out of her mouth.

-------------------------------- This man stopped and looked on in horror, or disgust, and simply said “you’re brave”. And Brave walked off.

-------------------------------It’s now been one year since I moved to NYC. I wish I could say it was a smooth transition. That I oes everyone’s got into the groove like it dog feel the need to was my second nature stop and sniff every to hail cabs, ignore single blade of grass homeless people, and when going on a walk? race other people to a Mine does. Every spot seat on the train. I had another dog has sniffed, quite a bit of a learning peed on, or looked at. curve. To be honest, I Along with that she am not sure what I was thinks that going for a expecting when I moved walk in NYC is like going here. I don’t think I knew to an all you can eat what to expect. But buffet. People will throw having already moved to anything they no longer a few big cities, I didn’t need on the ground here. expect it to be that much Paper, plastic bags, different. In the past beer bottles, bread, year I have threatened and chicken bones. to quit and move homeIf you know anything multiple times. I have about dogs, you know had difficulty making that chicken bones are friends for the first time terrible for them- a big in my life. I have taken no no! So my mornings a cross-country road trip are spent pulling gross with my mother. I have half-chewed bones out realized some dreams of of my precious pup’s mine to help others. mouth. During one such morning a man walked While the move itself was by while I was up to not that difficult, looking my elbows in slobber over the last year, it’s fussing at Charmin and been the transition to had my hand down her creating a life for myself here that has been

D

50

difficult. I see now what my family and friends were talking about when they told me that I was ‘brave’ (or stupid…) for moving off to NYC. I brushed it off then. I have never felt brave in my life. I have always been the scardy cat. But the job was in NYC, and I just figured, I had to do what I had to do.

When that man told me I was brave for reaching my hand into my dogs mouth, who I knew would never hurt me, that I was brave; I realized that ‘brave’ is subjective. Moving to a new, big city did not feel like something that required bravery, just determination. To me brave is a woman who is raising her children alone. Brave is missionaries that risk their lives to tell others about their beliefs.

Brave is the woman who marries a man in the military, never knowing where or when their family will be uprooted.

Brave is the family that fled to the U.S. because they were experience religious persecution.

If I have learned anything in this city, it is that every person

perceives every action, event, and situation differently. While I knew this to an extent before I moved here, I have been exposed to so many more people and cultures since moving here. I have learned more in one year that I had in my first 20-something years. I have learned about myself, others, my career, and more. At no point did I feel brave.

However, now looking back on the past year, if I would have known what was in store for me I never would have taken that leap. I would have stayed in the south where I was comfortable and everything was predictable.

Where strangers didn’t spit on me.

Now I don’t always want to know the future.

I don’t want to know what’s in store for me, or I might avoid it. And by avoiding it, I’ll never get to learn from it. So bring on the next year, NYC. What else do you have in store for me?

----------------------------Liz is a typical southern girl that decided to take on the big city. After taking the scenic route through college she packed everything up and decided to try out life as a New Yorker.

Her dog, Charmin, is adjusting well and meeting lots of city dogs in Central Park. Liz is living her dream and is bringing a little southern charm up to the Big Apple.

-----------------------------

now that fall is here it's time for

Football, Hunting and voting Ben Bleich

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Ben Bleich

51

the story went on just a little too long.

In closing, before penning an epilogue for your story, make sure you know exactly why it is needed.

And, as objectively as possible, question the need and ask yourself if it will add any value to your reader’s overall enjoyment of your story.

a novel

approach written by Winnie Griggs

--------------------------------

Epilogues - The Last Word On Your Story (Part II) --------------------------------

H

ello everyone. In my last article I discussed what an Epilogue is and why you might want to use one. In Part II, I’m going to discuss some of the DOs and DON’Ts of writing Epilogues.

First a reminder of what an Epilogue is, as it relates to a work of fiction.

Here are a few DOs and Make certain it ‘flows’ DON’Ts to help with that: Just as in every other scene in your book, your DO epilogue should flow logically (though not Know your purpose necessarily predictably) from what came before.

Whether it is to serve one of the purposes I described above, or some other DON’T purpose, make certain you have a clear understanding Avoid being repetitive of what you want to accomplish and then focus Don’t merely mimic what your words on doing just you’ve already depicted that. Which brings us to... in your story’s climax. If you’re not going to show Keep it tight us something new, then there’s no point in having An epilogue should the epilogue in the first generally be short and place. simple. You already had your climax so you don’t Don’t stray too far want to draw these final from your overall notes out. This is not the theme and tone time to introduce new characters or conflicts Again, this should be unless, of course, you are recognizable as a part of planting seeds for a follow- the novel itself. The voice up story. But again, don’t of the epilogue should be draw things out. consistent with the voice of the novel as a whole.

--------------------------------------------

Winnie Griggs grew up in south Louisiana in an undeveloped area her friends thought of as the back of beyond. She and her siblings spent many an hour exploring the overgrown land around her home, cutting jungle trails, building forts and frontier camps, and looking for pirate ships on the nearby bayou. Once she ‘grew up’ she began capturing those wonderful adventures in the pages of her notebooks.

Now a multi-published, award winning author, Winnie feels blessed to be able to share her stories with readers through her published books. You can learn more about Winnie at www.winniegriggs. com or connect with her Separate the epilogue from the rest of your Don’t www.facebook.com/ include an at story epilogue ‘just because’ WinnieGriggs.Author

An epilogue provides a comment, conclusion or depicts consequences of the actions within the story itself and always appears There should be a definite at the end of the story, time break of some sort, the AFTER the climax. more time the better. This not only gives the reader Okay, so you’ve decided a sense of perspective, that your story could benefit but it keeps your prologue from an epilogue. How do from feeling like merely the you go about writing one continuation of the previous that is effective? chapter.

52

There you have it, my thoughts on Epilogues.

Follow these simple (okay, maybe not so simple) guidelines and you are on your way to having an Epilogue that leaves your reader feeling satisfied.

I’ve said this before but it bears repeating - an epilogue must justify its existence with a firm story purpose. You want to make certain when your reader closes your book it is with a sigh of satisfaction, not with the vague feeling that

--------------------------------------------

(318) 243-2772 RUSTON, LOUSIANA jenningsapiaries@gmail.com

Find us at Rosemary’s Kitchen, North Village Market, Jefferson Corner, Ruston Farmer’s Market, Crossfit Ruston and Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days. Free delivery in Ruston available. Can be ordered online.

www.jenningsapiaries.com Dr. Stefan Lorincz Foot & Ankle Surgery Podiatry

53

“Have you ever heard of Be The Match?”

continues in cycles, until a full donation is collected.

Recovery time depends on the individual, but most donors are able to return to work in 1-3 days. The donors that I have worked with say they felt tired for a day or so afterwards, but went about their normal routine.

It sounds like a bad sales pitch, but I’m not trying to tell you about the latest dating site. That is my usual catch phrase to get someone’s attention. Then I tell them how they could be someone’s cure for cancer or blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia. Be The Match is the user-friendly name for the National Marrow Donor Program’s donor registry.

Bone marrow donation is the type of donation that people worry about the most! I often see the look of fear on people’s face when I speak about marrow donation.

Many people tell me they have heard “it hurts.” One thing I remind people about is that there are 3, 4, and 5 year-old children that have given bone marrow to save the life of their sibling. Marrow collection has changed quite a bit in the last several years, making it easier on Every four minutes, someone is diagnosed with blood the donor. or bone cancer. Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice, but for some patients it does not work or is not Marrow donation is an out-patient surgical procedure. an option. Those patients need a stem cell or bone The donor receives anesthesia, so they will not feel marrow transplant to save their life. But before that can discomfort during the donation process. Marrow is be happen, they must have a matching donor. Usually, removed using a needle and syringe from the donor’s the patient’s family is tested to see if any of them could hip. The donors that I have worked with said either their be the match; however, only 30% of patients have a bottom or bottom and lower back were sore for four days matching family member. Seventy percent of patients up to a week after donation. They describe their pain have to rely on a stranger to see if they could save their as similar to a pulled muscle, but nothing excruciating. life! This is why Be The Match exists.

They all made similar statements that “you’ll be walking, doing things slower for a week or so.” However, every Matching a patient is typically consistent with ancestry donor that has shared their story say they would do it and race. There is a great need for all types of donors, again to save someone’s life! but it is especially important to register donors from minority and mixed races. Multiracial patients have the You can register at a marrow registration drive or most difficult time finding a match than any other race. online at www.bethematch.org/join (enter promo code “lifeshare”) If you register online, you will complete the So how do you find out if you could be someone’s cure? online form on your computer, and then you will receive Be The Match registers donors with a few minutes of a swab kit in the mail. Simply swab your cheek, place paperwork and a simple cheek swab. Yep, finding out if the swabs in the prepaid envelope and drop it off in the you could be someone’s cure is that simple! The basic mail. For more information about marrow donation or to requirements are that you must be between the ages of host a drive, visit www.lifeshare.org or call LifeShare’s 18-44, in good physical health, and be willing to donate Marrow Donor Program at 318-673-1534. for anyone.

Register today to #BeSomeonesCure!

There are two types of donation: stem cell and bone marrow. The type of donation is determined by the transplant physician, based on the need of the patient.

www.bethematch.org/join

Stem cell donation is the most common method. Stem cell donation is very similar to giving platelets or plasma.

For four days prior to donation, the donor is given a medication called Filgrastim to increase the number of stem cells in their blood. On day five, the donor will have two I.V.s started, one in each arm, which run to a separation machine. The machine draws a set amount of blood from one arm then spins the stem cells out into a collection bag. After completing the cycle, the whole blood is returned to the donor in the opposite arm. This

54

Wiggin' Out

Fight Mix Hit Me With Your Best Shot Pat Benatar

It's My Life Bon Jovi

One Day You Will Lady Antebellum

The Remedy (I Won't Worry) Jason Mraz

Beautiful Day U2

I Am Not My Hair India Arie

I Run For Life Melissa Etheridge

I Will Survive Gloria Gaynor

Roar

Not Ready To Make Nice

Survivor

Standing Outside the Fire

I'm Gonna Love You Through It

Viva La Vida

Katy Perry

Destiny's Child

Martina McBride

Gonna Fly Now ("Rocky" Theme) Bill Conti

Stronger

Kelly Clarkson

Dixie Chicks

Garth Brooks Coldplay

Overcomer Mandisa

Stand

Rascal Flatts

LIFE IS A BATTLE. IF YOU NEED A FIGHT SONG (OR MIX) WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED. LISTEN TO THIS PLAYLIST FOR FREE AT SPOTIFY.COM FIND THE LINK ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE OR GO TO https://play.spotify.com/user/theminutemagazine/ playlist/38y942bjAecmv3n0O79z8O

55

bringing back

the past written by Wesley Harris a substantial portion of The purpose ----------------------------------- Louisiana. of “Operation Sagebrush” was to evaluate the effectiveness of military 195: The Cold operations in a nuclear War Comes to war. The largest joint Army and Air Force maneuvers Louisiana since World War II involved nearly 150,000 troops ----------------------------------- scattered from Bastrop to Lake Charles. Camp Polk near Leesville was epicenter of this pretend he year 1955 saw war.

American consumerism skyrocket with the opening A provisional army, meant of the first McDonald’s to represent U.S. forces, Restaurant and the debut was built around the Armored Division of Disneyland.

Fast 1st food, including the first and an opposing force TV dinners, and canned was created around the Coca-Cola attested to the 82nd Airborne Division. growth of the country’s Air Force bombers and purchasing power since fighter planes crisscrossed World War II. Ownership Louisiana’s skies, stirring of a car became the great interest among the mandatory status symbol many citizens who had for American families. But never seen a helicopter. the development of nuclear communities weapons by the Soviet Many throughout Louisiana were Union troubled everyone. inundated with troops and In the 1950s, the Cold airmen. Ruston saw the War was steadily building arrival of an ordnance with many Americans detail of the Air Force’s Control convinced nuclear war 727th Aircraft with the Soviet Union was and Warning Squadron inevitable. Some military in October before the officials even advocated a maneuvers began. As first strike to take out the many as 700 airmen Soviets, although it would operated out of Ruston, mean the annihilation of camping on the grounds some American targets in of the Methodist Children’s Home next to the retaliation. municipal airport and at the In 1955, the U.S. military fairgrounds nearby. The conducted a large training airport served as the home exercise encompassing base of the 69th Signal

T

56

Battalion’s three light planes, two large planes, and three helicopters.

Residents in Sabine and Vernon Parishes spotted giant 280mm atomic cannons capable of firing atomic artillery shells twenty miles. Heavy tanks chewed up roads in many communities.

As with the huge military maneuvers in Louisiana during World War II, interaction between the

troops and the locals developed into friendships and more serious relationships. While 24year old Dick Paige was stationed in Ruston, he met and fell in love with 20-year old Mary Belle Lee of Simsboro.

Paige’s reassignment after Operation Sagebrush didn’t cool the relationship—they married in 1957. After Paige’s retirement from the Air Force, they moved back to Ruston where he pastored Baptist churches for nearly 40 years.

Although the military had accepted racial integration in 1948, segregation still ruled much of the South in 1955. On the last day of Operation Sagebrush, December 1, Rosa Parks would be arrested for refusing to give up her Montgomery, Alabama bus seat to a white passenger. In a press briefing, an Operation Sagebrush official attempted to quell fears that the Army’s integrated units would cause trouble

in segregated Louisiana, such as black servicemen trying to use a whitesonly facility. He noted, “When you get 150,000 people together for anything, you’re bound to have some unpleasant incidents, and the same is true in the case of the military. We respect local policies. On duty there is no segregation but off duty, all our personnel is to respect local customs.”

Operation Sagebrush tested the idea of air cavalry—moving troops quickly by helicopter.

While the strategy increased exponentially the ability of units to find and fight the enemy on the nuclear battlefield, a number of problems remained, including fire support for the airmobile units. To protect troops outside the range of artillery, many in the Army advocated using its own armed helicopters and slow-moving fixed wing aircraft to considerable Air Force opposition. The Air Force did not want the Army having its own close air support aircraft and wanted primary control over strategic nuclear warfare. Even use of unarmed helicopters in Operation Sagebrush was fought furiously by the Air Force which wanted exclusive use of the skies.

The operation resulted in the designation of Camp Polk as a permanent installation renamed Fort Polk and the 1st Armored Division was reassigned from Fort Hood, Texas to continue to test mobility and combat strategies for the nuclear age. The 1st Armored, with its modern M-48 Patton Tanks and new helicopters, remained at Fort Polk until June 1959 before returning to Fort Hood.

Photos: Top left - Huge 280mm cannons capable of hurling an atomic shell 20 miles were mobilized in Operation Sagebrush.

Bottom left - U.S. Army troops prepare for an Operation Sagebrush mission. Right - Area of Operation Sagebrush, 1955.

----------------------------------Wesley Harris is a native of Ruston. Among his books are FISH OUT OF WATER: Nazi Submariners as POWs in North Louisiana during World War II and GREETINGS FROM RUSTON: A Post Card History of Ruston, Louisiana, available from amazon.com. Check out his Louisiana history blog at http://diggingthepast. blogspot.com. He can be contacted at campruston@ gmail.com.

--------------------------------

57

Business this summer has been steady.

Can we survive a slowdown?

Let’s talk.

Seasonal businesses struggle with highs and lows by making the bulk of their profits at certain times of the year. Knowing how to optimize the lows while riding the highs requires innovation and diligence. It also helps to have a knowledgeable, local banking partner. At Richland State Bank, we’re closer than a phone call away; we’re in your shop ordering flowers for someone special.

Let’s visit about your business banking needs.

58

1222 Homer Rd • Minden, LA 71058 • (318) 377-3030 • richlandbank.net

400 Trenton St., Suite B ● West Monroe, LA ● (318) 737-7207 59

When you’re and it’s OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY | 5:30-8:30PM We understand that no matter how much you plan, life happens after normal business hours. So whether its care for a cold, infections, minor illnesses, sprains, cuts, or burns, Health First After Hours will make sure you can easily and quickly get the care you need to feel better.

Health First is available to you and your family as an alternative to the Emergency Room for non-emergent (life or limb threatening) medical situations and for after hours access when your primary care physician may be unavailable.

Staffed with local familiar faces of medical providers, giving you the medical services you need, while always keeping your convenience in mind. Walk-ins are welcome with no appointments necessary.

Accepting most major insurance plans except Medicare & Medicaid.

MINDEN MEDICAL PAVILION 101 Murrell Street - Suite 2 318-377-3111 | www.mindenmedicalcenter.com/healthfirst 60