all about legs

Heart

Healthy legs are often taken for granted until they start hurting or varicose veins become large and noticeable. It is estimated that 80 million Americans suffer from some form of venous disorder.

“Aching, swelling, or a heavy feeling in your legs or ankles, as well as varicose veins, may indicate that you have a bigger, or possibly a life-threatening, issue,” says Bryan Carter, the newest medical staff member at Heart of The Villages. “I recommend getting your legs examined with ultrasound because there is no other way to rule out bad veins or a blood clot.”

Bryan knows legs. He’s seen many venous disease cases over the past 10 years, first as a U.S. Army medic and more recently as a nationally recognized physician assistant (PA). Bryan brings extensive, hands-on experience in venous disease treatments to the Heart of The Villages practice. He has treated thousands of patients and has taught physicians and other mid-level practitioners in Georgia and Florida about the technical art of venous disease and wound care. He is an active member of the American College of Phlebology and one of the few PAs in the U.S. to be inducted into the American Venous Forum.

Betty Rose of The Villages has returned to her active lifestyle after receiving treatments for diseased veins in both legs. “The veins in my legs were stinging and burning, and blood was pooling in my feet. Bryan used laser treatments and injections, and I am now back to walking, riding my bicycle, and golfing several times a week.

“Bryan is great at what he does and is highly skilled, kind, and compassionate. Thanks to him, I feel great and am enjoying life to the fullest,” says Betty.

Heart of The Villages is known for its compassionate patient care as much as for its cutting-edge treatments and technologies. Sensitivity to the patient is the thing Jan Hickerson remembers the most.

“My right leg would ache while sitting on my sofa watching television. Bryan figured out the problem right away and successfully treated me. He thoroughly explained the procedure to me in terms I could understand,” she says. “In addition, his support staff was equally friendly and helpful. I feel like a new person and no longer have any downtime from the pain.”

Helen Layre was treated for spider veins that limited her mobility, and she agrees the compassionate care and genuine interest from Bryan and the Heart of Villages team are second to none. “Bryan always answered my questions. He was very accessible and really cared about my wellbeing. The entire team at Heart of the Villages is great. I’ve been looking for a comprehensive office like this for sevenand-a-half years,” she says.

After receiving a B.S. degree in molecular and microbiology from the University of Central Florida, Bryan received a master’s degree in venous diseases from the University of Nebraska. He is happy to be back in Central Florida where he spends his free time with his wife, Stephanie, and daughters, Alexandra and Brielle.

“Life is about quality, not quantity. We only have so much time on this Earth, so let’s live it to the fullest.”

His personal philosophy extends to his patients, who he wants to see living to the fullest.

Bryan Carter, MPA-C

Education:

University of Central Florida, B.S. degree in Molecular and Microbiology; University of Nebraska, Master’s degree, Venous Disease

Professional Affiliations: American Venous Forum

Jan Hickerson

“My right leg would ache while sitting on my sofa watching television. Bryan figured out the problem right away and successfully treated me. He thoroughly explained the procedure to me in terms I could understand.”

Helen Layre

“Bryan always answered my questions. He was very accessible and really cared about my well-being. The entire team at Heart of the Villages is great. I’ve been looking for a comprehensive office like this for seven-and-a-half years.”

Betty Rose

“Bryan is great at what he does and is highly skilled, kind, and compassionate. Thanks to him, I feel great and am enjoying life to the fullest.”

352.674.2080

When Santa Claus recently made a special appearance to have his head shaved, he was not there to make a fashion statement. He was in Mount Dora for a fundraising event to support 7-year-old Jay Ryon, a Round Lake Elementary School student who was diagnosed with leukemia in January.

“I saw a news broadcast about Jay and knew I wanted to do something to help,” says John Lee, a Melbourne resident who has played Santa Claus for more than 20 years. “In my opinion, the Christmas spirit should last all yearlong.”

John, who was dressed in his Santa suit, had no qualms about being bald. However, his snowwhite beard remained intact.

“I can put my hat on and still be Santa with my beard.”

And in true Santa fashion, he spread joy and happiness by giving Jay’s family a special gift: a two-night beach getaway.

“The family has been through a lot and deserves a break,” he says. “I want Jay to know that Santa is thinking about him and all the other children in the world who are fighting diseases.”

Bald Is Beautiful

Jay is bravely battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia (also known as ALL), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It is the most common type of cancer in children.

Following his diagnosis, Jay spent more than 40 days at Orlando’s Florida Hospital for Children receiving chemotherapy treatment intravenously and orally. He arrived home in March. Jay’s father Nick Ryon, a firefighter with Lake County Fire Rescue, and his mother Maggie Denk, a camp director at Easter Seals Camp Challenge, have been on family medical leave from their jobs since late January to be by their son’s side.

“After being diagnosed, Jay wasn’t worried about being hospitalized on his birthday or missing school and soccer,” Maggie said. “The thing that bothered him most was losing his hair and being bald by himself.”

Once the Lake County Firefighters Charity heard about Jake’s concern, members quickly went to work on the boy’s behalf. The group organized a “Shave-a-Thon” in the parking lot of Mount Dora’s Black Bear Smokehouse on March 22. Local firefighters and community members had their hair cut and heads shaved to let Jay see firsthand he was not alone.

The “Shave-a-Thon” included a silent auction, bounce house, coloring tent, disc jockey, corn-hole competition, a dunk tank, and a food-eating contest. Attendees donned orange shirts with the words “Fighting for a Cure.” Orange is Jay’s favorite color and the color of leukemia awareness.

A thunderous applause erupted when Jay and his parents arrived at the event. As the boy sat in his wheelchair and watched stylists and barbers cut, snip, and shave, his big smile was priceless. For him, the bald heads became a symbol of hope and solidarity.

All head-shaving participants collected monetary pledges from family and friends prior to the event to give to Jay’s parents. Retired pastor Dick Turnipseed of Tavares also took a symbolic stand on behalf of that goal, she allowed nine inches to be cut off her brown hair. Her husband, Mike Bass, is a lieutenant with Lake County Fire Rescue and personal friends with Jay’s parents.

“I’ve known Nick and Maggie for a long time and love them to death,” she says. “I wouldn’t have minded having my head shaved. Moreover, I lost my father to throat and lung cancer several years ago. It is important to help make a positive difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families.”

Of course, losing hair was not the only sacrifice attendees made. Orlando Predators cornerback Anthony Shutt volunteered to be repeatedly dunked in a tank of water on a somewhat windy day. “The water is cold but I don’t really mind,” he says. “Jay has been through a lot recently, so I’m glad to help in any way I can.”

Global Support

child cancer patients. When Patti Stiner of Salon Therapy in Eustis used an electric razor to remove the remaining patch of hair from Dick’s freshly shaved head, he rubbed his scalp and broke out into a big smile.

“I have a grandson who is five,” says Dick, who raised $300. “If he ever contracted leukemia, I would want others to come together and do something like this for him. I felt the Lord calling me to do this.”

Michell Bass of Webster promised to have her head shaved if she could raise $1,500. Since she fell a little short of with more than 8,000 followers. People as far away as Antarctica and Alaska have sent Jay well wishes, funny videos, and inspirational messages, as well as photographs of themselves holding up signs of encouragement. Firefighters across the country and soldiers in Afghanistan shaved their heads and posted pictures on Jay’s Facebook page to show support.

Locally, Nick’s brotherhood of firefighters and other community organizations have organized several local fundraisers — including a 5K run and golf tournament — to help offset the family’s accumulating medical expenses.

“It is amazing how people can come together for such a wonderful cause,” Maggie says. “My co-workers at Easter Seals even donated 12 weeks of sick leave so I could focus on Jay and not have to worry about anything else. This awesome support has certainly helped me, Nick, and Jay get through these difficult times.”

The “Shave-a-Thon” is just one example how Jay has received an outpouring of community and worldwide support. Shortly following Jay’s diagnosis, Nick’s sister, Tami Buckles, created a Facebook page to update family members on his progress.

“I didn’t want family members to have to call or text message Nick and Maggie,” Tami says. “At first, the page was set to private. However, Nick requested that I set it to public, and overnight the page had 3,000 likes.”

Since then, the Facebook page, affectionately known as “Team Jay,” has gone viral

Although Jay is currently in remission, his cancer battle is not over yet. He will require ongoing chemotherapy treatment to prevent a possible relapse.

One thing, however, is certain; he is not alone in this battle. And while he may be short on hair, the brave boy is long on courage, strength, and determination.

Anyone who would like to donate money toward Jay’s medical expenses can mail a check to Lake County Firefighters Charity, 734 N. Third St. Suite 156, Leesburg, FL 34748.

Rain or shine, good is always there. I don’t wait for something bad to happen to do something good. That’s why I offer things like free coverage checkups and rewards for safe driving. I’m here to help you live the good life every single day.

We Offer:

• Adjusting Techniques: A.K., S.O.T., Palmer, Drop Table, Diversified

• Microcurrent Acupuncture

• Massage Therapy

• Hormone Testing

• Natural Weight Loss

• DOT Certified Physical Exam

352.750.6325 2524 Burnsed Blvd. The Villages, Florida betterhealthchiropractic.us

352.795.8911 6166 West Gulf to Lake Hwy. Crystal River, Florida crystalriverchiropractic.com

A cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) exam helps to evaluate your heart health by measuring the blood flow brought by the coronary arteries to the heart muscles. PET scans are used to identify coronary artery disease and manage your treatment plan.

As one of the oldest private cardiology practices, Cardiovascular Associates of Lake County was first to bring this technology to our area.

We are dedicated to bringing innovations in cardiovascular care to our patients. Since 1992, we have been your partners for life.

SHAPE // LOOK // GENDER // ALLIANCE

CARDIO CHALLENGE 54

SUMMER SKIN 58

WORLDS NEED NOT COLLIDE WHEN VENUS MEETS MARS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS 62