October/November 2023 • Volume 18 - Issue 5
Happy Fall Y’all!
JAL DENNIS GROUP IN THIS ISSUE:
When reading digital edition on smart devices or your computer, tap or click to activate QR Code links. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WYLIE, TX PERMIT# 63
The Connection Magazine, Wylie Chamber of Commerce
Your Window to Wylie
Live Music in Wylie Salty Dogs Wylie ISD Choirs Animation & Game Art
A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication Digital Version: www.wyliechamber.org
Please Recycle This Magazine After Reading!
You’ve got a lot to schedule for. Make time for a mammogram. 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. And early detection is how we beat it. At Methodist Richardson Medical Center, you’ll find advanced breast disease and cancer screening services, including digital and 3-D mammography. Making sure our friends and neighbors have access to the latest life-saving health screenings. That’s community and why so many people Trust Methodist. Schedule your annual mammogram at MethodistHealthSystem.org/RichardsonMammo or call (469) 772-6730
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Vote Yes for the Wylie ISD Growth Management Bond. It’s a smart plan developed by taxpayers to help every child & teacher with absolutely no increase in our property tax rate.
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Smartly manage our fast growth with no tax rate increase.
CONTENTS
October/November 2023 • Volume 18 - Issue 5
CONNECTION A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication 307 N. Ballard Ave. | Wylie, TX 75098 972-442-2804 | info@wyliechamber.org www.wyliechamber.org WYLIE CHAMBER CEO Tina Stelnicki, IOM ADVISORY BOARD Jan Arrant Ian Halperin Craig Kelly Heather Darrow Stacie Smith ADVERTISING SALES Mary Ann Olson, IOM CREATIVE DIRECTOR Anne Hiney CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Judy Truesdell Donnita Fisher CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jan Arrant Donnita Fisher Ian Halperin Mark Saldaña Jessica Tresp
The CONNECTION Magazine ©2023, Wylie Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved. The CONNECTION is published bimonthly and mailed free of charge to over 32,000 households and businesses with an estimated readership of over 80,000 in the Wylie area. The PROFILE OF SUCCESS cover with feature article is a paid ad placement. For information about advertising in The CONNECTION Magazine please contact the Wylie Chamber at 972-442-2804 or adsales@wyliechamber.org. All are welcome to advertise, Chamber membership is not required. Share comments and story ideas with Anne Hiney at theconnection.anne@mac. com. Additional copies are distributed to our advertisers and high traffic local city offices. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for content of all advertisements. Information published in The CONNECTION is the opinion of the sourced authors. The Wylie Chamber of Commerce does not necessarily share the editorial opinions expressed in The CONNECTION Magazine. Personal decisions regarding health, finance and other matters should be made after consultation with the reader’s professional advisors. Additional copies are available at the Wylie Chamber office. Just for fun, find the butterfly! Last issue it was hidden on page 23. Happy butterfly hunting!!
PROFILE OF SUCCESS 4
JAL DENNIS GROUP
CONNECTION FEATURES 6 12
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC SALTY DOGS
CONNECTION COLUMNS 11
CALENDAR
14
WYLIE ISD
17
COLLIN COLLEGE
18
YOUR HEALTH
Local August/September Events All the World's a Wylie ISD Stage Animation & Game Art From Full Body Scan to Total Remission
20 YOUR MONEY
Avoiding Cognitive Decline
Autumn makes me sing. ~ Dorothy Parker
NOTE: The first person to correctly locate the butterfly and send an email to adsales@wyliechamber.org wins a The CONNECTION Magazine t-shirt!
Occasionally we make a mistake. Let us know if you find one so we can correct it. We love your feedback - send comments to info@wyliechamber.org. Story ideas are always welcome and appreciated. Thanks for “Connecting” with us!
Wylie Chamber of Commerce
307 N. Ballard Ave. • Wylie, TX 75098 972-442-2804 • info@wyliechamber.org
www.wyliechamber.org A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication
ON THE COVER: (From left to right) Jal Dennis Group Advisors: Kristi Denham, Derek Draper, Trace Dennis, and Demond Dawkins
4
Cover Photo by Michelle Thurgood
(It's not this one!)
www.wyliechamber.org | 3
A
t the Jal Dennis Group, our clients are looking for a financial steward – an experienced advisor who will partner with them and serve as their advocate and guide on the path to pursuing their goals. Our focus is on long-term planning, not securities transactions. Our planning process is collaborative and requires your input every step of the way, that seeks to emphasize that your goals and interests remain front and center. We have a team, not a single advisor, who can assist you with all your financial planning needs. Each member of our team specializes in a different aspect of planning and strives to support you in your personal and professional financial endeavors. Leading the team is Trace Dennis, Jal’s son. Trace joined the firm in 2014 after serving in the Marines in the Iraqi War and earning his accounting degree from the University of New Mexico. In addition to holding several securities licenses, Trace holds the designation of Chartered Market Technician and enjoys analyzing market trends and investment research. The Jal Dennis Group’s team of licensed advisors includes Demond Dawkins, who joined the firm in 2017 after 25 years in the banking industry. Demond brings a wealth of knowledge to the community; he serves on the board of the Wylie Economic 4|
| October/November 2023
Development Corporation, has expertise in Social Security, and is licensed with Medicare (he’s the resident Medicare professional in Wylie!). He also serves as a pastor in Fate. Demond holds the Certified Kingdom Advisor and Accredited Asset Management Specialist designations. Demond and Derek Draper offer educational webinars on our unique Faith-Based Investment platform. Advisor Kristi Denham holds the designation of Accredited Asset Management Specialist and joined the group in 2019 with over a decade of customer service experience. Kristi has passion for the community and is often seen representing the Jal Dennis Group at Chamber events and visiting local businesses. Kristi also hosts a regular educational webinar series on financial topics. Rounding out the advisory team is Derek Draper, who is known to many as a former pastor at First Baptist Wylie (now The Cross Church). The Draper name is well known in the community, and Derek is active in the Wylie athletic and camp community as well as broadcasting the Wylie High School football games. Along with Demond, Derek is an advocate for our faithbased vestment platform. Heading up the office staff is our office manager Rhonda McDowell. Rhonda has been with the Jal Dennis Group
Photos by Michelle Thurgood
JAL DENNIS GROUP
Photos by Michelle Thurgood
since 2011. She has previously served on the LPL Service and Operations Council. Her goal is to ensure that all clients have an enjoyable experience, and she makes sure the entire team is up to date and trained on the latest technologies and procedures. Rhonda’s personal life centers around church and family. She and her family have participated in several missionary trips. Our newest team member is Tiffaney Smith, who joined us in March of 2022. Tiffaney is an Air Force veteran who enlisted right after high school and served 20 years before retiring from active-duty service. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Ashford University and has 20 years of administrative support and resource management experience from her military career as an Aviation Resource Manager and Government Flight Representative Chief. Tiffaney provides administrative support to the Jal Dennis Group by assisting clients with account setup, access, and account maintenance. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children and loves to cook and travel. When you first contact our office, you will be instantly greeted with a warm smile and pleasant introduction. Regina Smith joined the firm in 2016 and has endeared herself to everyone as she makes sure all clients and visitors speak with the person best equipped to help them. It would be impossible to list all the ways Regina keeps our office organized. Her primary duties are scheduling client meetings and maintaining the calendar as well as assisting everyone in all of our projects. Kathy Griffith joined the Jal Dennis Group in 2021. Kathy brings 14 years of experience leading back-office operations, analytics, and customer support teams for major energy companies. She has spent the last 13 years volunteering and serving in a variety of leadership roles on various boards in her church and community while raising her two children with her husband. Our team offers a wide variety of licenses, skills and life experiences to meet the needs of our growing community and client base. We still strive to maintain the highest level of client satisfaction to provide the best and most personal experience. We believe in investing in our clients before they invest in us. If we can help in any way, please give us a call at 972-429-0603 or email us at info@jaldennis.com.• A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication
As a full-service financial consulting firm, Jal Dennis Group Investment Services provides individual investors and small business owners with retirement planning and strategies that seek portfolio growth through assistance in the following areas: • Financial Planning • Investment Management • Retirement Planning • Tax Strategies • Insurance • Education Planning • Estate Planning • Trust Services • Guided Wealth Portfolios • Fiduciary Focus
972-429-0603
601 Commerce St., Wylie, TX 75098
www.jaldennis.com Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. LPL Financial Representatives offer access to Trust Services through The Private Trust Company N.A., and affiliate of LPL Financial. www.wyliechamber.org | 5
Aaron Wilson
Clay Mobly
Mike Geldon & Rick Woo
O-o-o, Listen C
ranking up a tune on the radio (or your personal electronic device). Saving up coins to see a superstar at a mega concert venue. Putting on a personal playlist to get through the day. Sitting in a familiar space to hear a guy with a guitar express the emotion of a breakup, birth of a baby or love for his big ol’ dog. Music permeates our lives, and the Wylie area presents an amplitude of options for listening to live music locally. “Live music is the medicine that can lift us up and heal our souls,” according to local artist Aaron Wilson, who bills himself as The Tin Can Troubadour. Aaron, who by day is a quality control supervisor for Tower Extrusions in Wylie, has been performing most of his life. “I come from a theater family,” he said. “I remember performing in plays when I was very young. I put out an album of original music in 1999. I stopped playing live after 9/11. I focused on my family and being a father. I started playing again right as Covid restrictions were lifting.” Wylie is unique in offering several live music venues, Aaron said. “The rest of DFW has not embraced live music – especially original live music. Wylie has a great opportunity to really dig in and become a live music destination in the DFW area.” Clay Mobly has been singing on stage since he was eight years old. “I began singing in choirs and fell in love with country music, which led to performing at the opry circuit and starting live music gigs as I learned to play guitar,” Clay said. “The Wylie Opry was where I first started 6|
| October/November 2023
live country music at the age of 11, and I still go back to sing there to this day!” Leading the contemporary service music as the associate minister of music and worship at First Baptist Church of Garland, Clay knows the impact live music can have. “The energy of not only performing but listening to live music has always been one of the best parts for me,” he said. “Live music puts a smile on my face as I see it does for many people I get to meet while performing. “Connecting and building relationships with people throughout a gig is so much fun.” “Audio artists” is how Mike Geldon, one half of the duo Standards Gazette, refers to himself and his fellow musicians. Mike and his musical partner, Rick Woodul, began performing together at age 15. Now a retired metalsmith and jewelry manufacturer, Mike and Rick, a freelance guitar instructor, are working on recording an album in Rick’s Wylie studio. “People should know that music is art,” Mike said. “More importantly, people should know that what is presented to them in a performance is like the visible tip of an iceberg. Our performance is the result of hours, days, weeks and years of practicing and refining our craft – not only as individual musicians, but also as a part of any ensemble, be it a duo, trio or more.” Musician Rob Hunter, the former owner of Ballard Street Music Company (now Avalon School of Music) agrees that most musicians aren’t doing it for the money. ”People should understand that generally a local musician
Rick Woodul
Rob Hunter
Mike Jones
en to the Music
by Donnita Fisher
All photos shared courtesy of the musicians.
is never paid what they are actually worth,” Rob said. “They may conclude that a few hundred dollars for a two-hour gig is a lot but when you consider the hours that go into practice, memorizing and learning new material, when the shows goes on, the actual pay is sometimes less than $10 per hour.” Rob said his days now are spent writing his first novel and practicing his music. “I spend about five to six hours, five days a week working on my vocals, listening and learning new songs and playing guitar,” he said. Coming from a family of musicians, Rob has been performing most of his life. “I began singing and playing the piano when I was 5 years old,” he said. “I got into music by mimicking my parents. The first song that I learned on piano was ‘Blueberry Hill’ by Fats Domino. The second was ‘Stand by Me’ by Ben E. King. When my first-grade classmates would stop by my house to walk with me to school, I would end up playing a song or two before walking to school with them.” Mike Jones retired from corporate America in 2020 and got a real estate license so he could work with his wife, Anita. But the 73-year-old has been performing since he was about 8 years old. “When I was in second grade, my teacher asked me to sing to ‘Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going’ One’ by Jerry Lee Lewis for the class. So I did! From then on it was easy to get up and perform.” At 11, Mike started playing guitar for family and friends. “By the time junior high came around, I had my own band with a couple of classmates, and we would rehearse early morning before school in one of the classrooms a teacher let us use to keep our equipment,” he said. A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication
In high school, his band played teen parties and school functions. In college at SMU, his group played frat parties and live on radio station KNUS. “I’ve played in numerous bands around the area for many years including a wellknown band of the ’80s and ’90s, Starfire,” Mike said. “We played many corporate party functions and weddings.” David Fox, the keyboard player and singer at the Wylie Opry, was also in Starfire. Recently, Mike has played in an Allman Bros. tribute band called No Angel, and he’s currently working on a Linda Ronstadt tribute band named Simple Dream. “My solo performing act is a rockabilly-themed project where most of the music is self-composed, arranged, tracked and performed,” he said. “During the pandemic, we held several Friday Night Kitchen Concerts on Facebook Live, using this technique, to help entertain people sheltered in place. I recently released my first rockabilly album through all streaming services entitled ‘Rockabilly Rumble,’ and I go under the artist name “Rock the Old Man.”
Why Live Music?
These musicians agree, there’s just someone special about performing and listening to live music. “People should go listen to live music because it serves many purposes,” Rob said. “It supports the entertainer and, just by listening, they become active participants whether they realize it or not. Live audiences sometimes become the spark that allows the entertainer to be more creative and go places in song that they would not normally achieve. ~continued www.wyliechamber.org | 7
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“The presence of an audience will sometimes cause the artist to hit higher notes and produce more brilliant vocal runs because they draw the talent out of the performers.” The audience, Clay said, makes the difference “At the end of the day, live music is nothing without a live audience, and that’s what makes live music great,” he said. “The connection between the two and how every gig is unique because of the people involved.” Mike Geldon echoed that live music brings something to the performer and the audience. “People should experience live music to get that spontaneous thrill of a great performance by the artist up on stage, to experience it with friends and to help support musicians financially,” he said. Live music can be calming and exciting and “extremely honest,” Mike Jones said. “Live music is performance from the soul of the performer. It’s real, it’s right there in front of you and it’s extremely honest in nature. “People need to channel in to music for their own salvation and stress-relief. The performer doesn’t have to be stellar, but know this … whoever he or she may be has worked extremely hard to try and perfect the music experience being delivered. It has its own rewards for both the performer and the audience.” Musicians performing live are sharing a part of themselves, Aaron said. “We live to play our songs. We are compelled to create and share parts of our souls. The greatest thing you can do for a musician is listen.” •
Kate Porter Buxton
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office: 972.442.8326 fax: 972.442.8227 107 North Jackson Ave. Wylie, Texas 75098
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| October/November 2023
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Wylie Downtown Merchants Association Presents
ON BALLARD TRICK OR TREAT
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WYLIE
THU, OCT 26 6 - 8 PM WYLIE PARKS & RECREATION
5:30 - 8:30 pm
Olde City Park
Zipline, Mechanical Bulls, Inflatables & More!
The Cross Church Trunk-or-Treat Entrance at Ballard Ave. and Marble St.
DiscoverWylie.com 10 |
| October/November 2023
features several attractions including live music, local performances, scavenger hunt, petting zoo, punkin' chunkin', car show, Maize Midway, fireworks and so much more! Noon - 9:45 p.m. Location: 550 N. Murphy Rd., Murphy. Info: maizedays.com
Oct. 21: Sachse Fallfest. Fun for the whole family including:
over 100 arts and crafts, local businesses, and non-profit vendor booths, food vendors, live music from our entertainment stage, kids corner, Touch-a-Truck, and more. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Location: Heritage Park, 4408 Hudson Dr., Sachse. Info: www.sachsefallfest.com
Oct. 26: Boo on Ballard. Downtown Wylie's free Trick or Treat
event for the kids! There are also fun activities in Olde City Park with live music, and carnival games. Presented by the Wylie Downtown Merchants Association and the City of Wylie, the event is a safe alternative for Wylie families. Time: 6 - 8 p.m. Location: Downtown Wylie on Ballard Ave., from Hwy.78 to Brown St. Info: discoverwylie. com/events/boo-on-ballard/
Nov. 4: Fall Festival & Pumpkin Toss at In-Sync Exotics.
Vendors & music, games with prizes, bounce house, face painting, food & drink! 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Location: 3430 Skyview Dr., Wylie. Tickets & Info: www.insyncexotics.org/events/
Nov. 15: Wylie Entrepreneur Expo - Roadmap to Success.
Presented by the Wylie EDC & Wylie Chamber of Commerce Topics will focus on the journey to success and cover key issues entrepreneurs face including business plan development, financing strategies, permitting/planning processes, marketing, real estate, and much more. 3 - 8 p.m. Location: Collin College Conference Center, 391 Country Club Rd., Wylie. Purchase tickets & Info: www.facebook. com/events/1279431599426979?ref=newsfeed
A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication
Smith Public Library:
300 Country Club Rd., #300, Wylie WylieTexas.Gov/Library
Story Hikes:
Halloween Story Hike: Oct. 20 - Nov. 1 Thanksgiving Story Hike: Nov. 17 - 26
Family Programs: All ages
LEGO Family Build: Thursday, Oct. 12 @ 2 - 4 p.m. Thanksgiving Craft Day: Wednesday, Nov.22 @ 2 - 4 p.m.
Special Events:
Ghost Tours of Downtown Wylie Join us for this spooky & informative fundraiser in downtown Wylie. Follow the spirits of early Wylie-ites! Haunts & History: Friday, Oct. 6 @ 7 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 @ 7 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. Ghostly Gossip: Friday, Oct. 6 @ 7:30 p.m. & 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 @ 7:30 p.m. & 8:45 p.m. All tours begin at the Brown House 301 N. Ballard St., Wylie. Proceeds from this event benefit the Wylie Historical Society, Wylie Parks & Recreation and the Smith Public Library. Registration at WylieTexas.Gov/Library Murder Mystery Night @ the Library Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. Grab your friends and sign up for a literary “Who Done It?” after hours @ the library! This is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Library. Ages 14 and up welcome. Online registration begins Oct. 16 at WylieTexas.Gov/Library
October/November CALENDAR
Oct. 7: Murphy Maize Days. This free, family friendly festival
www.wyliechamber.org | 11
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WYLIE ISD
All The World’s a Wylie ISD Stage
F
by Ian Halperin
rom the Pantheon in Rome and Cadogan Hall in London to the streets of Ireland and Main Street in Disney, Wylie ISD fine arts students have performed on some of the world’s most famous stages and in some of the most well-known settings. These educational and performance opportunities across the country and around the world give students the chance to experience people and cultures different from their own while sharing their talents with a wide audience. This past summer, 45 members of the Wylie High Pirate Choir traveled to Italy. While there, they performed in churches that were more than 400 years old and the 2000-year-old Pantheon. “We had to get special permission from Italian officials to sing at the Pantheon,” said Jeffrey Bowling, Wylie High choir director. “It was an 8-to-10-minute impromptu, a cappella show that the students will never forget.” “We were surrounded by amazing people and beautiful architecture,” said WHS student Brandon Bush. “Ten years from now this performance will still be in my mind.” For Wylie East choir student Ava McDaniel the 2022 trip to London with 100 classmates meant she got to know her fellow Raider choir family better while learning more about her own family history. “My mom is from England, so I had the chance to learn more about my background, especially the architecture and food, while meeting new people and connecting to a new culture,” Ava said. “The whole idea of music is that all the world is a stage. These trips open kids' eyes to a world beyond Wylie,” said Nathan Dame, WEHS choir director. “The kids are most shocked by how old the buildings are. We performed in a 1000-year-old church.” Wylie ISD officials believe that student participation in extracurricular activities promotes character and academic achievement. These trips are an extension of that philosophy. Trips are reviewed by the deputy superintendent, and not all trips are approved. Most sponsors work with travel agencies that specialize in student travel for help with in-country logistics. Travel and expenses are paid for by the students (or their families) 14 |
| October/November 2023
WEHS Choir in London.
WHS Choir in Italy.
either directly or through fundraising and are not part of the school’s budget. For many of the students, it’s their first trip on a plane. The WHS theater department is already planning its trip to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Fringe is a three-week festival of performing arts that takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland, every August. Wylie High is one of just 25 groups (out of 300 applications) from across the U.S. chosen for this prestigious event. “Wylie ISD is unique. Many of my colleagues can’t travel internationally which limits student opportunities,” said WHS theater director Polly Harrison. “Our district and administration trust us to find these special things for students. As a parent, I appreciate that my child gets these experiences.” “Music brings the world together, and choir is the great equalizer,” added Nathan. “Rich or poor, our voices are part of us. It crosses all cultures.” Wylie ISD fine arts faculty and students are proud to share their culture with the world. • Photos courtesy of Wylie ISD.
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COLLIN COLLEGE
Animation & Game Art: NOW AVAILABLE AT COLLIN COLLEGE WYLIE CAMPUS by Mark Saldaña
A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication
Photo by Nick Young, Collin College photographer
T
his fall, a creative workforce program has made its way to Collin College’s Wylie Campus. Animation & Game Art, currently located at the Frisco Campus, is now available at the college’s campuses in both Frisco and Wylie. Collin College students can earn a degree in Animation & Game Art that will provide them with the tools and training needed to take a project from concept to reality. Students can learn how to create animation and still imagery for entertainment, advertising, industrial visualization, and corporate communication. “We try to encompass as much as we can for our students,” said Russell Smith, professor of Animation & Game Art at the Wylie Campus. “We want them to become computer graphics generalists when they leave Collin so they can have a broad range of skills for any type of job or career they want.” Smith said his students not only have the drive and ambition to do anything they want in life, but they also have the talent, passion, and work ethic to reach their goals, no matter what age or phase in their life they are in. Ivan Jimenez, a student at Collin College pursuing a degree in Animation & Game Art, said he has learned so much from the program. Captivated by the history of animation and the science behind transforming still images into motion pictures, he is already looking at potential careers within his area of study. “I have loved the art of animation since I was exposed to it in middle school,” Ivan said. “I used to wonder how the still images we see on a screen were made into motion pictures. With time, I discovered that you can actually get paid to do this. I am grateful for professors like Mr. Smith who have paved the way for me to be successful in animation.” Students taking classes in the college’s Animation
Russell Smith, professor of Animation & Game Art at the Wylie Campus.
& Game Art program can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and a Level 1 certificate in Animation & Game Art as well as a Level 3 Enhanced Skills Certificate in Advanced Animation & Game Art Production. “In my experience, this program requires lots of hard work and dedication,” Ivan said. “However, at the end of the day it is very rewarding to see your final product on a screen.” Russell said he continues to teach the program because of students like Ivan who have ambition and put in the hard work and dedication they need to be successful. “It is a privilege to help students achieve their goals and create some amazing artwork in animation and video games,” he said. “I just find it extremely satisfying to see them go from students to professionals, especially in such a short time span.” To learn more about Animation & Game Art, visit www. collin.edu/academics/programs/ANIM_1Overview.html. To apply or register for classes at the Wylie Campus, visit www.collin.edu/campuses/wylie. • www.wyliechamber.org | 17
YOUR HEALTH
From Full-Body Scan to Total Remission by Jan Arrant
W
hen Joan Daniels bought a voucher for two full-body scans for herself and her husband on a whim, she never expected that decision would save her life. “My husband and I are getting older, and I thought the idea of a whole body CT scan sounded like a good place to start to get a snapshot of our health,” Joan said. “It was a simple process, and they said they would call in a few days with the results.” When the call came that the scan had detected a few very small spots on her left lung, Joan was surprised but not worried since she quit smoking decades ago. She had no symptoms and was feeling fine. Joan took her scan results to her primary care physician, who reviewed them and referred her to a pulmonologist at Methodist Richardson Medical Center. A positron emission tomography, or PET scan, was followed by an endobronchial ultrasound to sample the nodes. A biopsy revealed the spots were cancer. “It was a shock to learn that not only were the spots cancerous, but that they were advanced, stage-three lung cancer,” Joan said.
EACH CANCER IS DIFFERENT Joan was referred to Samer E. Bibawi, MD, hematologist and oncologist on the medical staff at Methodist Richardson. Dr. Bibawi quickly put together an aggressive, tailored treatment plan for Joan that included state-of-theart chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. “I appreciated how thorough his team was right from the start,” Joan said. Crafting a unique plan for each lung cancer patient is critical to their treatment, Dr. Bibawi said, because every cancer is different. “Each patient’s cancer is unique and requires an individualized approach,” he said. “To ensure the best outcome for Joan and her cancer, I ordered radiation five days a week for six weeks coupled with chemotherapy once a week for the same duration.” Immunotherapy is the newest tool in the oncologist’s toolbox and can take many forms, from medications that take the “brakes” off the immune system to T-cell therapy, which teaches the body’s natural infection-fighting cells to search out and destroy cancer cells. “Immunotherapy is one of the latest tools in fighting cancer,” Dr. Bibawi said. “It trains one’s own immune 18 |
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Joan Daniels shares one of her paintings.
system to fight the cancer.” Expecting to feel overwhelmed, Joan reached out to her brother in Georgia; he came to town for moral support during her visit with Dr. Bibawi. She soon found herself tackling the road ahead with a sense of complete trust in the doctor’s plan. All through her radiation and chemotherapy, Joan remained positive and suffered few side effects. Immunotherapy presented a new challenge because she lost her appetite completely. “I had lost a lot of weight during radiation and chemo, but it really accelerated with the immunotherapy,” Joan said. “One day I fell in my living room and banged myself up so badly my husband had to take me to the hospital.”
REDISCOVERING ART Joan would spend the next three months recovering from her fall before resuming her cancer treatment. During this time, she got back into crafting and painting, hobbies she gave up years ago to care for her mother as she battled emphysema. “I missed creating art and it felt so good to have a paintbrush back in my hand after all those years,” Joan said. Soon, Joan was well enough to return home and resume her immunotherapy treatments to finish treating her lung cancer. Her last treatment was on March 31. “Since that day Dr. Bibawi has said that I am in total remission,” she said. “God led me to Methodist, and I will always feel immense gratitude for Dr. Bibawi and his handpicked team.” • Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System.
Creating healthy smiles for the whole family!
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Park Blvd.
FM 544
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WYLIE Ballard Ave.
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McCreary Rd.
456 Country Club Rd. Suite 104 Wylie, TX 75098
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Avoiding Cognitive Decline Provided by Trace Dennis, CMT
O
f those aged 60 and older, 12 to 18 percent have mild cognitive impairment. People living with mild cognitive impairment are more likely to develop Alzheimer's, and almost two-thirds of people currently living with Alzheimer's are women. There are three basic forms of cognitive decline associated with aging: • Age-related changes in memory, which are a natural consequence of aging. • Mild Cognitive Impairment, which involves mild memory loss such as forgetting important events or appointments, or an inability or difficulty with finding the right word in a conversation. • Dementia, which includes Alzheimer's disease, is a chronic, progressive, irreversible and comprehensive cognitive impairment that may affect daily functioning. There are a range of risk factors that can lead to cognitive decline, including: • Increased age • Genetic predisposition • Smoking • Excessive use of alcohol • Physical and mental inactivity • Chronic stress • Medical conditions, such as diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol • Low social involvement
Strategies to Help Manage Cognitive Decline Intellectual Stimulation Reading, learning a musical instrument, and playing cards or board games are all activities that stimulate the brain and may reduce cognitive decline. Exercise Staying physically active can improve your mood, 20 |
| October/November 2023
reduce stress, and help eliminate some of the medical conditions that are risk factors. Low-Fat Diet A nutritious diet, low in fat, may help reduce contributory risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. A Sound Night's Sleep It's normal for sleeping difficulties to emerge with age, but insufficient sleep can impair memory and learning. Going to bed and waking up at the same time can help. However, if you have a sleep disorder, consider seeking qualified assistance. Stay Social Staying engaged with friends and family stimulates the brain. If you live alone or have limited social ties, look to build up contact with neighbors and social groups. Talk to Your Doctor It's best not to self-diagnose or treat yourself if you think you are suffering from cognitive impairment. Visit your doctor to explain your symptoms and let him or her assess your condition and recommend the necessary treatment and counseling. • Trace Dennis may be reached at 972-429-0603 or tracedennis@jaldennis.com.
Statewide Hiring Event
November 9th 10am - 3pm For Details Visit: www.tinyurl.com/RWY2023 Join us at the Plano Center for the Annual Hiring Red, White & You! Statewide Hiring Fair. This free event is open to veterans, military and their spouses, and the general public.
BACKING BUSINESS & OUR VETERANS
Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.For the hearing impaired, call TDD 1-800-735-2989 or VOICE 1-800-735-2988. For more information, visit www.dfwjobs.com. This document contains vital information about requirements, rights, determinations, and/or responsibilities for accessing workforce system services. Language services, including the interpretation/translation of this document, are available free of charge upon request. Este documento contiene información importante sobre los requisitos, los derechos, las determinaciones y las responsabilidades del acceso a los servicios del sistema de la fuerza laboral. Hay disponibles servicios de idioma, incluida la interpretación y la traducción de documentos, sin ningún costo y a solicitud. Tài liệu này có thông tin quan trọng về các yêu cầu, quyền hạn, quyết định, và/hoặc trách nhiệm để sử dụng các dịch vụ của hệ thống nhân lực. Các dịch vụ trợ giúp ngôn ngữ, bao gồm thông dịch/chuyển ngữ tài liệu này, có sẵn miễn phí khi quý vị yêu cầu.
MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT October 15 - December 7, 2023
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Call Today For Assistance With Enrollment And Supplemental Insurance Plans! DEMOND DAWKINS
The Connection Magazine, Wylie Chamber of Commerce
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