November 18, 2020 Issue, Page 2 of 12

Page Text

November 18, 2020 Sullivan not the same sac,” she said. then I could see that my sweet- not found out their genders had to be transferred to Chil- Sullivan was told her chances heart had gotten it wet from because she had hoped for a Round dren's Hospital at OU Medical of losing both twins was 90% if crying tears after the surgeon gender reveal party. With an Center for a higher level of care. Continued from page 1. she did not have an immediate had told him the surgery was a emergency c-section at 1 am in “We were basically driving out the newest pregnancy surgery in Houston. Even with success,” Sullivan recounted. the morning, she would soon Town back and forth between the was carrying not one, but two a successful surgery, the larger She was discharged and al- discover that she had two little two. It was very nerve-racking. babies. twin only had a 30-60% chance lowed to return to her Elk City girls. Scout was much sicker, but they “You know, I had never just of survival and the smaller twin home. The painful procedure “I didn’t get to see Scout be- November 19 had less than 20%. had separated the blood ves- cause she was so sick they had were both very critic felt like I wanted to be a mom DofC Retail Christmas until I was about 22. But then ‘Though the surgery was risky, sels within the placenta and to go immediately to work on stated. Promotion Begins, “Shop my friends started having ba- Sullivan immediately knew she was hopefully going to allow the her in a different room. Sawyer On the ninth day, Scout's con- would be having it. She had ex- smaller twin to get the blood was also very sick, but I could dition worsened. Elk City” bies and I started feeling it pull pected that they would spend flow she needed through her see her legs and arms moving “We were called and told that upon my heart. Then when that happened, I wanted to be a the night driving, but were umbilical cord. so I felt at least some comfort in she was very critical and likely November 21 mother so bad. When we found blessed by a friend who facili- At 23 weeks gestation, Sul- that, Scout was not expected to would not make it. We rushed out that two were coming, I was tated getting a private plane to livan learned that the smaller make it at all, I remember ask- there. She died that day. It hurt 39th Annual Elk City panicked and excited,” she re- transport them to Houston. twin was not producing urine, ing Jon Mark if he atleast goto so much losing her, but I still CofC Oklahoma National counted. “He set everything up — even which meant that she had vir- see Scout and he said no. I told think of her as a miracle because Jr. Heifer Show, Conven- Because she was having got our hotel room,” Sullivan ex- tually no amniotic fluid. Sulli- him that I didn’t think she had we got her that long, We had twins, Sullivan was immedi- plained. “My mother flew down van was put on bedrest and the made it and he said, ‘I don’t ei- been told that she would prob- tion Center South Build- ately referred to a high-risk with us. In the taxi, my mother couple stayed with her parents. ther, babe,” Sullivan stated. ably die in my womb. Then we ing. specialists. She was struck with told the driver what was hap- She received a steroid shot to ‘The babies were rushed into typical pregnancy nausea, but pening and he prayed with us as help their lungs develop. The the NICU, a special intensive were told that she would prob- was happy as that sort of symp- he was driving us. I felt like God next shot was scheduled for a care unit that treats infants. ably die not long after birth. We November 26 tom was welcomed as a sign of was watching over us.” week later. “They were intubated through at least got her that long,” Sul- Black Friday Shopping productive pregnancy. In May during the early phas- However, between that time, their umbilical cords with lines livan said. At about 12 weeks pregnant, es of the Covid-19 pandemic, she began bleeding in the mid- thinner than angel hair spa- With Sawyer still hospital- starts at 10 p.m. - 2 a.m., she began feeling the familiar her mother was not allowed to dle of the night. ghetti,” Sullivan stated. ized, the new parents were participating downtown dread that something wasn’t actually come into the hospital “It was sheer terror,” Sullivan Within four hours, her hus- racked with anxiety and swell of right. At her 18 week ultra- and her husband was not al- said. “I got out my home Dop- band was allowed to wheel her other emotions. businesses. sound, she saw the ultrasound lowed into the operating room. pler and looked for their heart- to their shared room. “You are grieving, but so technician grow stoic. She was awake through the pro- “This may sound funny, but hopeful for your daughter,” she beats. I could find both of them, Due to the COVID-19 “{knew something was wrong cedure, aware of how meticu- so I knew they were both atSawyer was 1 pound and 4 said. “And losing one just made then. She said the doctor was lous the surgery had to be for least still alive.” ‘ounces and 12 inches long, so pandemic, many events going to come in. You know the success. She ended up being medi- very small, but she looked huge it that much more terrifying to have been cancelled, post- techs won't tell you anything, “When I was in recovery, Jon flighted to Mercy Hospital in compared to Scout. Little Scout have Sawyer so sick.” but you can just tell from their Mark was able to come back to Oklahoma City, When she ar- was just 13 ounces and 10.5 Read part two of the couples poned or modified. Please long stay in an RV outside of reaction. The doctor said we had see me. He had his face mask on rived, her water had not broken, inches long” check with the event co- twin to twin transfusion, My and it was totally wet. I thought but the bleeding continued. Sullivan began pumping Mercy Hospital as Sawyer con- ordinator to make sure of twins were identical and were the goofball had taken a drink At 26 weeks and 1 day gesta- breast milk to give her daugh- tinued to slowly heal and her sharing the same placenta, but of water and made a mess, but tion, her water broke. She had ters the best nutrition. Scout time now at home. any changes. during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sinister, which Potter described going to do this work forever Potter 18 and thought this is what I to the communities. A film can wanted to do, but working on ‘The second is a film rebate pro- as “darker” and is expected to be and then to have people I was fill up hotels that wouldn’t oth- that show cemented it.” gram pioneered by Lt. Gov. Matt purchased by Lifetime. Though working with working with him ‘The last year has been good to Pinnell, which is among the the film may not end up there, all while being in Oklahoma was erwise have people, the film uses Potter as far as work in the film most generous in the country, currently that is were it is be- really cool. I never would have caterers, they have to get props Continued from page 1. industry goes. designed to drawn new projects lieved to end up. thought that Oklahoma would and use local makeup artists. It She currently has one film in to the state, Potter could not believe that be creating acting jobs and pro- pumps a lot of money into the T-can see how it can happen. talks with Netflix. It was fea~ Potter filmed her audition at she would be working in her ducing movies. Honestly, as an 1 look back on the amount of home and sent it in. communities where they film tured at 10 film festivals, which native Oklahoma. Within a few Oklahoma girl at heart, it was money I have paid in rent in the was remarkable considering “The industry was already go- days of learning she cast in the amazing to be a part of. I got to and I love that Oklahoma is get- last 12 years and it can make that Covid-19 has shut down ing that way, to be honest,” Pot- she was flown to the Soon- do whatI love and got to spend ting in on that.” you sick to the stomach. But many festivals as others have ter explained. “Covid definitely role, er State. She arrived on Hallow- time with my family in a real then the other side is I still love pushed it forward. Alot of actors een and flew back to Los Angeles way that I haven't in years. I Potter is the daughter of John gone completely online. it and the good far outweighs Since it has a working title don’t like it as much as in person Potter and Kyra Albright. She is auditions because they want to on November 16. mean, I come out at least twice the bad.” and does not yet have a distrib- ayear, butI have been blessed to especially proud of her 93-year- After graduating from col- utor, she can only say that about feed off the casting director and “Our crew had crewed for Rea- lege, Potter went to work for the get their feedback. I didn’t like it gan, the Dennis Quaid movie sleep at my parents’ house and old grandfather, John Potter, that film. pageant that she had awarded Following that film, she at first myself. But, then there being filmed in Oklahoma. Our be in my hometown that isn’t who has lived in Elk City since her Miss Oklahoma Teen, scored a prime role in a feature is a lot of freedom that comes producer is a seasoned actor and just a holiday like this in years. approximately 1969. “T spent five years working film called 86 Melrose Place. with it. You don’t have to spend he did some scenes with Quaid. Nothing would please me more Fans and friends alike can find as a motivational speaker for In it, she played the wife of a gas money and parking money ‘That kinda came full circle for than getting to spend more time the pageant. I technically lived Marine veteran suffering from to audition. Getting around LA me. Like working with Dennis here working as an actor and her on social media, as well as in LA, but I was only there for post-traumatic stress disorder is not the same as our smaller on Vegas was when I knew I was seeing how that trickles down her IMDB page. about six months of the year. I who took hostages in a mental communities. You have to factor spent the rest the time travel- break. Birthday in a lot of time for traffic. You may not find a parking space. to ride in a parade and briefly ing all over the country. It was “There are talks with that one You don't have to sit in a owned a mare that he sold to the most amazing thing seeing with Netflix or normal movie these young girls be so shy and hallway with your competition, his daughter. Though he contin- distribution. It has gotten really timid and then, by the end of good reviews. That movie is why which can be the nerve rack- ued to work almost daily shoe- the weekend, seeing their confi- I got into this. I want to tell sto- ing. These are all really talented Continued from page 1. “All these horses are my bud- ing horses for others, he wasn't dence bloom. ries and make people feel some- people who want it as much as dies. I'll go out and talk to them quite ready yet to have another Potter also served as an event thing when they watch a movie. you do, so sitting next to them like I would a friend, but Huey horse after Huey’s death. knowing that only one of you Merrick was inducted into the coordinator, which took her to In this, the main character takes halls of fame of the Texas Horse was my best friend of them alll. “But then my friend from Germany, Canada and several hostages because of his PTSD will get the job can get in your said if I could have just had Sayre gave me Joker as a birth- head. Sending in your first audi- Racing Association and Oklaho- Ive other countries. and everyone else has to evalu- ma Quarter Horse Association, one horse forever, of all the day gift this year and we are get- In 2012-2013, she received tion means you can do it from horses I have had and worked ate their own issues because anywhere with your phone. That to name a few. ting along real fine,” Hodge said. the first acting role that really they don’t know if they will live For thirty years, Hodge with, it would be him,” Hodge Hodge has suffered a few inju- or die. We were given freedom will also give freedom to actors encouraged her to commit to the industry. who don't live in LA.” worked for him as his right stated. Hodge first came to work ties of his own in his career. to really dive into our roles,” she “[ was doing background said. Another challenge in the act- hand man, trainer and shoer with Huey when the horse was “When I was 15, [had a horse work,” Potter said. “Ihad worked So, with a year of booking ing industry is both the wait during these accomplishments. struck with hepatitis at the age hem me up ina stale. He turned “Tve been flown all kinds of around on me and broke my on 90210, Go On and Mistress- steady roles, Potter was still ea- after auditions and often never of 9. The vet expected that Huey es, For me, my first role that re- ger for more work. After all, she hearing backif an actor does not places like Kentucky and Las would only live a few more years nose. Later in the 70s, while 1 ally told me this is what I want repeatedly explained that, in book a part. Potter didn’t learn Vegas to shoe horses,” he said. due to the illness. When Huey was working for Walter, I had to do forever was doing back- the “business,” even the busiest she had booked the Oklahoma “Pve been flown to Cheyenne, was 15, his owner struck a deal one get mad and stomped my ground on a show called Vegas actors can suddenly have work film for nine days after her sec- Wyoming, and drove up there with Hodge — she would give ond audition. to spend a week doingit. [knew him Huey on the condition that finger off. We picked up the fin- with Dennis Quaid. It was basi- dry up. ger and showed it back on the cally about Vegas in the 1960s. I “Thad thought I had done well, I wanted to work with horses ‘A few weeks ago, her man- when I was just a kid, but I he would put him down if his ill- best we could. I still have half but wasn’t hearing from them. didn’t actually have a line in the ager called her with an audition ness ever caused him to suffer. show, but was acting off Quaid. that would be for a feature film ‘They tell you in the industry that didn’t imagine it would take me “And I kept my word,” Hodge of it. That’s about it, though,” He is such a powerful actor and set to be shot in Oklahoma. you have to get ready for a lot of all over doing it.” explained. “He lived 12 years af- Hodge laughed. I was basically playing a back- Oklahoma has had a surge of rejection, but I don’t see it that The now famous photograph ter he got the hepatitis and was In spite of the phantom fin- way. I don’t see it was a rejection of Hodge and Huey is a testa- ground model. I had to play off films in 2020 for two reasons. whenI don’t get a part. It isn’t healthy for it all until the end. ger, Hodge still can’t imagine his emotions. I had packed up ‘The firstis that the state was the ment to his passion for his He was 21 last year he got sick. having done anything else with to go to California when I was first to re-open film production like they call every person who work. Horses have been his ev- I kept my word and put him his life. Horses are his great auditions and tell them what is eryday life for as long as he can down. I never let him suffer.” loves. wrong about them, so that’s not remember. Although Hodge "ElkCituNews With the help of friends, really a rejection to me. They estimates that he has owned Hodge buried Huey at his place. “That's what God put me here may just don't think you are about 100 horses, trained and To this day, flowers remain in to do — to take care of the hors- right for that role, but they could broke probably 700-800 more Huey’s honor on a nearby fence es,” he said. “I'm dedicated to remember you for something and shod more than he can be- post. them. They are God's transport (USPS # 173-020) else down the way. That's what gin to count, Huey has been his For the past year, Hodge has in Heaven. He's on horses with 580-225-3000 you hear when you are getting favorite. borrowed a horse from a friend wings. into the industry — to get ready Is published twice weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC for a lot of rejection. Sometimes SWOSU reminds public 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 you will hear of an actor not get- Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 ting booked because they look too much like the producer's ex- wife or one hair on an eyebrow of date changes POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644 is out of place. I don’t see that SUBSCRIPTIONS Josh Umholtz as a rejection either. People get Deliverd by mail: Publisher passed over for all kinds of jobs. Southwestern Oklahoma ing break. January 11, and students return $75/yearly Amy Loynd You just have to keeping moving State University reminds stu- After Thanksgiving Break, $50/six months Business Manager forward.” to on-campus classes. Neva Pyatt In that vein, after nine days, dents and area residents about all classes transition to virtual. No refunds on subscriptions. Potter believed she had not several date changes on the ‘There will be three days of virtual ‘There will be no traditional Advertising Director booked the role. Weatherford and Sayre cam- Dead Days on November 30-De- spring break but the semester editor @ecdailynews.com D’Ann Brasuell She was wrong. puses. cember 2. Virtual finals will start will end one week earlier than sports @ecdailynews.com Production Manager Her manager called and in- Classes meet as usual on No- on Thursday, December 3, and [email protected] Maressa Margerum formed her that she had been vember 23 and 24, the Monday end on Wednesday, December 9. normal and the last day of the classifieds @ecdailynews.com Customer Service Rep cast as the head sorority sister in and Tuesday before Thanksgiv- Spring semester classes start semester is April 30.