HOW YOU CAN HELP

Not everyone has the resources to provide for foster children, but there are many other ways you can help.

• Get involved with a foster family. Be its “honorary” grandparents and help out when you can.

• Invite Kids Central Inc. to speak to your groups or clubs about foster care needs. Call 352.253.5625

• Help provide special things such as prom dresses, tuxedo rentals, school yearbooks or music lessons.

• Check the Kids Central website for periodic wish lists and needs at kidscentralinc.org.

“Men no longer need to suffer from frequent urination because they are getting older,” says Dr. James Young, a down-toearth urologist with thirty-three years of experience in treating men with prostate problems in Lake County. Although the cause of these symptoms is most likely an enlarging prostate (BPH), a normal part of the aging process in men, treatment options are more numerous and less invasive than those offered to our fathers and grandfathers.

Years ago there were two options for treating an enlarged prostate: surgical excision via an open operation (knife) or much more commonly by performing a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), commonly referred to as a “roto-rooter” by patients and physicians. Both required hospitalization as well as major anesthesia and could be fraught with complications such as bleeding, infection, loss of bladder control and even death.

“In my career I have performed over 3,000 TURPs; however, I no longer perform any,” says Dr. Young. “There are presently too many excellent alternatives to consider a hospital operation for the vast majority of patients with BPH.”

“When I see a new patient I perform a physical examination and properly evaluate the patient’s symptoms, thus diagnosing the underlying problem(s),” he says. “Next, I describe to the patient what’s normal and then explain what is abnormal with him. Lastly, I teach him his treatment options. If I’ve done a good job of teaching, he will select the correct option for himself.”

While prescribing medications for BPH can be done by primary care physicians, only urologists are trained to thoroughly evaluate the bladder and prostate (including ruling out prostate cancer), as well as providing extremely effective minimally invasive, office-based therapies as alternatives to lifelong medical therapy.

One such option is Prostiva-RF Therapy, a procedure performed by Dr. Young in his office under local anesthesia that usually takes less than thirty minutes. Prostiva utilizes low level radiofrequency energy to ablate (destroy) the obstructing component of the enlarged prostate. “I am very happy with the results I have achieved for my patients using Prostiva-RF Therapy,” says Dr. Young, who has successfully treated more than 2,400 patients with this procedure.

“Medtronic is a $13 billion-a-year, publicly traded corporation that perfected the technology for Prostiva and produces the necessary hardware. Recently, Medtronic produced an educational DVD for international distribution to inform patients and physicians worldwide regarding the benefits of Prostiva therapy. Seven of the eight patients featured on the DVD are my patients. I am very proud Medtronic selected my practice to feature the benefits of Prostiva-RF Therapy. However it is sort of a bad news/good news thing. The bad news is neither my patients nor myself received a penny for our participation. The good news is Medtronic gave us all the DVD’s we want, so if anyone wants one all he needs to do is drop by my office at 801 Northshore Drive in Eustis, and we will give him one!”

And with an office staff with nearly as much experience as the doctor, (many have worked with Dr. Young more than twenty years) you don’t spend a great deal of time waiting to see him. “We pride ourselves in being timely in seeing our patients. We respect our patient’s time as much as we do our own,” adds Dr. Young. “Patients appreciate this; many of our patients tell me I have the best office staff on the planet. I consider that a huge compliment.”

So if you are getting up at night and can’t get back to sleep because you are thinking about what may be wrong with you, it’s time to check in with Dr. Young and have him check you out.

“Many men accept frequent bladder urges as part of aging. And while it is part of the aging process, it’s not like death and taxes. There is something you can do about it,” he says. JAMES

Practicing in Lake County for over 33 years with extensive experience in evaluation and management of prostate problems.

Seeking

You’ve likely experienced that unforgettable moment when you performed a task tailor-made for you. Perhaps you were comforting an at-risk teenager, writing a book or organizing a grassroots campaign. Whatever the case, time seemed to disappear because you felt a sense of harmony and your purpose became alive and clear.

Having a strong sense of purpose in

Rosanne Brandeburg

Director, Lake-Sumter State College Foundation, Leesburg

Q: You experienced a horrible loss when your husband John died unexpectedly from a heart attack last year. How did you cope?

A: My husband died of a heart attack sometime during the middle of the night. It wasn’t until morning when we found him on the floor of our family room. Immediately, we had to start making life-changing decisions. John and I never talked about what our wishes were when this day came. You always think you have time, but when the inevitable happened I turned to God and asked for his strength, wisdom and guidance to get me through.

Q: What kind of support did you receive from family and friends?

life is not only fulfi lling and gratifying; it is also a key to emotional and physical well-being. Studies show that having a clear purpose in life can protect against heart disease and help us form relationships that are more meaningful with family members and friends.

Healthy Living recently conducted interviews with several people in the community and asked what their purpose in life is. Their passions blend beautifully with their unique personalities and talents and give them direction in life because they know where to focus their energy and time. spend about six hours together shortly before he died. I will forever cherish that moment.

Simply put, their passions defi ne who they are and what they are here to accomplish. Read on. You may see yourself in some of their views.

A: We are blessed in so many ways with a large family and many wonderful friends who were there immediately to help in every way possible. For us, we received more than 300 cards, flowers, food, phone calls and people visiting our home. There was an outpouring of love, prayers and support. At John’s “Celebration of Life” ceremony held one week after his death at First Baptist Church of Leesburg, my brother, Frank Biafora, told me that when he stood at the podium to speak, he looked out into the audience and said he saw a sea of people. He talked about how amazing this was. More than 500 people came to pay their respects and provide support to me and my family. I am forever grateful.

Q: What is your purpose in life?

A: What motivates me to keep going is first and foremost our son. He is now a sophomore at the University of Florida, which is where John and I attended college. I am also blessed with two jobs that keep me very busy. I am executive director of the Lake-Sumter State College Foundation, and I also serve as a District 2 Lake County School Board member. I love having the opportunity to use my time, talents much more than you could ever give.

Q: In what ways have you fulfilled this purpose?

A: I grew up across the street from Camp Boggy Creek. When I was eight, I started volunteering in the kitchen and continued volunteering there throughout high school. After earning my bachelor’s degree from Stetson University, I began serving as a camp counselor there for both

My purpose is

the family weekend retreats and weeklong camps. My parents have volunteered there since I was a child and in 2010 received the Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Service Award.

Q: Has volunteering at Camp Boggy Creek helped shape you as a person?

Q: Can you tell me about one memory you have about John?

A: John always said how much he loved us and how proud he was of our son, Tyler. The three of us were given the opportunity to

Q: What would you say is your purpose in life?

A: Volunteering and doing good things for other people. You receive so

A: Absolutely. The camp has shaped me in an indescribable way. My goal is to attend medical school and focus on either family medicine or internal medicine. Once I graduate, I want to work with the Indian Health Service. From a medical standpoint, clients turn their lives around. I tell people up front I’m a Christian counselor and that they can go somewhere else if that isn’t to their liking.

Native American populations have been ignored for decades. It’s time to recognize their issues such as diabetes, which is extremely prevalent in Native American populations.

Q: It sounds like the camp has taught you the importance of giving back.

A: Yes. My entire life has been about service. Serving others is important because it’s the right thing to do. I could not imagine why anyone would not want to give his or her talent and time toward helping others in need.

Q: What are the most heartbreaking problems you see today?

A: Children using drugs. In some cases, parents use their kids to sell drugs for them. I always tell children who are involved with drugs they have three choices: they can stop, they can go to jail or they can die. There are no other options.

Q: You know from experience, don’t you? Can you tell us about that?

Michael Ramesar

Q: Have you gone through tough times, and if so, what helped you succeed?

A: Like everyone, my wife Pam and I have been through some tough times, but in those times the

Q: What would you say to someone who feels like they don’t have a purpose in life?

A: That’s a tough one. I would probably use this Lailah Gifty Akita quote: “Great people faced obstacles in the pursuit of their dreams. The struggles were a motivation to stretch their limits. Be inspired by the story of great people. Know that you are not alone in your struggle.”

Dr. Isaac Deas

Licensed mental health therapist, Tavares

Q: What do you feel is your purpose in life?

A: I have my own practice and love helping people overcome horrible problems. I am an eternal optimist and have a big heart for everybody regardless of gender, age or race. It doesn’t make a difference.

Q: Do you do anything unique as a mental health therapist?

A: I do Christian counseling. I believe God assists me and gives me the right words so I can be an effective mentor and help

A: At the time, I was 36 and working as the Supervisor of Juvenile Probation in Connecticut. I had a good job and beautiful family. One day I decided to try crack. I thought I was strong enough not to become addicted. However, I liked the high that it gave me and for the next two years continued buying more. I blew all my money on it and would take my wife’s money out of the bank without her knowing. I ultimately lost my wife, daughter, job, home and, most importantly, my self-respect.

My purpose is

closeness of the family unit and communication has helped us through.

Q: How does faith play into your everyday life?

Tana Thurgaland

Q: How does living through a problem like that help you better relate to clients with drug addictions?

A: In their eyes, it lends credibility to what I’m telling them because I’ve walked down the same path. I know where the path ultimately leads and I attempt to pull them back before it is too late.

A: I put faith in everyone around me and it usually works out. I must say that I am Roman Catholic but haven’t been to church in 20 years. I do believe in God. I also believe that my church is in my heart. I teach all my children and employees to be honest and do the best you can. You are here for a purpose. Make every day count.

Q: Do you think it’s important to have a belief system?

A: I do believe it is important to have a belief system. I also think it is important to treat people the way you would like to be treated. Be fair, honest and respectful.

Retired graphic artist, Lady Lake

Q: Do you feel like faith has always been an important part of your life?

A: Well, I do. You see, I had been a member of organized religion for most of my life. I grew up in the Presbyterian Church. Then after I began working in the office of an episcopal church, I joined that faith. However, after a while I began to notice I didn’t agree with everything they said, especially when it came to Bible stories. I didn’t fit in at all. That’s when I started going to Unity (Church) in Leesburg and finally found where I belonged.