Healthy Living October 2016

Including

Five people share their stories.

SURVIVORS

They came. They struggled. They survived.

survivor, Barbara Augustine (pictured), whose life took a different direction after asthma, severe back pain, and breast cancer.

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Spending quality time with patients is a point of pride for Dr. Adina Ion, who practices internal medicine at Florida Primary Care Group, an affiliation of Cardiovascular Associates of Lake County.

“I consider it a privilege when patients trust me to make important decisions regarding their health care,” she says. “Therefore, I always make sure to spend quality time with them and never overbook.”

Dr. Ion treats many conditions, including diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney disease, and cardiac problems. She has practiced in Lake County since 2002. “I have worked directly with many of the doctors in the area, and as a result, it is easier for me to help navigate patients through the medical community when they have complex medical cases.”

YEARS OF SERVICE TO LAKE COUNTY & SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

SPECIALTIES INCLUDE: Total Joint Replacement // Arthritis Evaluation // Non-Surgical Back Evaluation // Osteoporosis Evaluation // Physical Therapy Diagnostic Radiology // Sports Medicine // Shoulder Surgery // Foot & Ankle Surgery // Trauma & Fracture Management // Arthroscopic Surgery

J. Mandume Kerina, MD

Founder of TriCounty Orthopaedics.

Board Certified. Fellowship-Trained.

Advanced Joint Replacement Therapy

Isaac L. Mitchell, MD

Board Certified. Fellowship-Trained. Shoulder/Upper Extremity and Sports Medicine.

Claudia L. Thomas, MD

Board Certified. Fellowship-Trained. Orthopaedic Trauma and Spine, National Osteoporosis Foundation Member.

Cedric J. Tankson, MD

Board Certified. Fellowship-Trained. Foot and Ankle Specialist, Joint Replacement of the Ankle.

Alfred J. Cook, Jr., MD

Board Certified. Fellowship-Trained. Cartilage Rejuvenation, Shoulder Surgery, and Sports Medicine.

John T. Williams, Jr., MD

Board Certified. Fellowship-Trained. Advanced Total Joint Replacement Surgery, Chairman of Surgery at CFHA.

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November 10: Leesburg Seminar at 2:00 pm

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CONTENTS

October 2016

FEATURING

22 SURVIVORS

DIRECTION:

on the delicious treats and let your diet fight for you!

HEALTHY CHOPS

52 Try this easy recipe that blends the deliciousness of pork chops with luscious red apples.

HELP OR HYPE

53 Can enjoying a glass of wine truly keep age—and an array of diseases—at bay?

REPLACING CHEMOTHERAPY

54 Immunotherapy is the newest way to treat cancer, and it’s producing amazing results.

TEA IS MORE THAN A SWEET DRINK WITH LEMON

56 It’s full of flavonoids, antioxidants, and polyphenols. Tea isn’t just good— it’s good for you!

HEALTHYMIND

STILLL L AWAAKKE E AT 3 A.M Slleeep p deepprivation proboble l m for a lot Everybodyneeds

STILL AWAKE AT 3 A.M.?

Sleep deprivation is a big problem for a lot of people. Everybody needs a good night’s sleep and there are ways to ensure you get yours.

IS IT SADNESS OR DEPRESSION?

62 Feeling blue doesn’t always mean you’re depressed. Find out how to tell the difference.

HEALTHYSPIRIT

WORRY A LOT? YOU’RE NOT ALONE

66 It has been said that 40 percent of what people worry about never happens. Still, it’s difficult but not impossible to deal with the issues that worry you.

SELF-HELP WITH SELF-CONFIDENCE

68 Self-confidence doesn’t always come easy, but it’s not impossible to achieve.

ess gles ived.

Meet five people who faced catastrophic illness and other life struggles head on and survived.

HEALTHYFINANCE

PRODUCE YOUR OWN SAVINGS

72 There are ways to enjoy healthy foods without breaking your wallet!

DOES CLIPPING PAY OFF?

who phic il fe stru su They came. They struggled. They survived. Five people share their stories. SURVIVORS RVIV VI VIIVVORS O

74 Manufacturer’s coupons are available in a variety of places, but do you truly find savings by buying with these little beauties?

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

DIGITIZE YOUR LIFE.

GET YOURS.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Order a subscription of your favorite magazine to be delivered directly to your home for just $72. Each subscription includes 12 consecutive issues of Lake & Sumter Style, Village Style or Healthy Living. Choose 2 or more magazines for $85 per year. To order, call 352.787.4112 or mail us at: Subscriptions at Akers Media, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: If you are a seasonal resident or have moved, send your address change request to general@ akersmediagroup.com or mail us at: Subscriptions at Akers Media, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749.

BACK ISSUES: Order a single issue by mail for $7, or 2 or more single issues for $9. To pick up a back issue from our office, please call 24 hours in advance.

KENDRA AKERS / publisher/editor-in-chief kendra@akersmediagroup.com

DOUG AKERS / vice president doug@akersmediagroup.com

JAMIE EZRA MARK / chief creative officer jamie@akersmediagroup.com

EDITORIAL // DESIGN // PHOTOGRAPHY

LEIGH NEELY managing editor leigh@akersmediagroup.com

JAMES COMBS staff writer james@akersmediagroup.com

THERESA CAMPBELL staff writer theresa@akersmediagroup.com

DEBBI KIDDY staff writer debbi@akersmediagroup.com

I SURVIVED.

In this month’s issue, we share several stories of brave individuals who have overcome challenges in their lives and survived the unimaginable.

While I cannot begin to put myself in their positions, or even understand how it must feel to have your physician tell you that you are facing a life-threatening illness, I do have my own story of survival to share.

VOLKAN ULGEN art director volkan@akersmediagroup.com

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FRED LOPEZ / chief photographer fred@akersmediagroup.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS//PHOTOGRAPHERS

JAIMIE ALONSO, DEVON DEVILBISS, FRED HILTON, MARGIE TAYLOR, EMILY BASIL, ED WHITE

SALES // MARKETING

TIM MCRAE / vice president of sales tim@akersmediagroup.com

DAVID COTÉ advertising executive david@akersmediagroup.com

SYLVIA DUCOTE advertising executive sylvia@akersmediagroup.com

In February 2015, I became a new mother again at the age of 44. My husband Doug and I learned about a woman who was pregnant and incarcerated at a nearby prison. She had experienced a long life of drug addiction and was arrested on numerous occasions for possession and selling drugs. Facing a several-year term, she decided to place him for adoption.

When I heard about her, and this little unborn baby, I instantly knew I was meant to be his mother. It took a couple of months for Doug to feel that way, since we already have five other children. Our youngest at the time was about to graduate high school. But eventually, his heart opened, and we decided to adopt.

Little did I know when we made that decision that I was going to experience the most challenging year of my entire life. Don’t get me wrong; I love my son Conner, and he is a blessing to us. But Conner had a tough time, possibly due to being exposed to methamphetamine in the womb.

MIKE STEGALL advertising executive mike@akersmediagroup.com

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Most children begin sleeping through the night around the age of 12-16 weeks, not Conner. He would only sleep in two-to-three-hour increments, and cry most of the day and night. This pattern continued without relief until Conner was 11 months old. He suffered severe colic, acid reflux, and began teething at three months of age—which meant no sleep for Mommy.

Sleep deprivation is a real thing, and it is debilitating. I have experienced hard times in my life, but nothing compared to living off three to four hours’ sleep a day while maintaining a full-time, very demanding job. I still needed to be available to my other five children, family, friends, and of course, Doug.

Due to a lack of sleep, I experienced blurred vision, fevers, and a compromised immune system, which enabled Conner and me to catch every cold and virus introduced to us. We both caught the flu, strep throat, stomach virus—you name it, we had it. I recall thinking that death might be pleasant, because at least then, I would be able to sleep. (Not joking.)

Needless to say, it was hard. But we made it. Conner is now 20 months old, and while he still is not a great sleeper, we are managing. He is an active, vibrant, funny, intelligent little guy who has an amazing life ahead of him.

Doug and I could not be more excited to be his parents, as he has blessed our lives in ways we could never have imagined. I guess that old saying rings true, “Anything worth having, is worth fighting for.”

REGAINING QUALITY OF LIFE

The 20-bed TVRH Rehabilitation Hospital officially opened July

1. Located on the fifth floor of the The Villages Regional Hospital’s new North Tower, the facility provides acute

care for patients who suffer from conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, amputation, brain injury, and neurological disorders.

“The intensity of our physician oversight far

exceeds that provided in a skilled nursing facility,” says Susan Keeker, Director of TVRH Rehabilitation Hospital.”We provide at least 15 hours of intense therapy

services each week for our patiens. Our doctors round on patients every day and the entire team meets regularly to discuss patient progress, functional status and

discharge plans.”

TVRH Rehabilitation Hospital includes private patient rooms, a state-of-the-art physical therapy gym, and communal dining hall.

FAN THE FLAMES

Last March, 17-year-old Lake Minneola High School student Trevor Moss died when his family’s Minneola home caught on fire. Other occupants of the home escaped with minor injuries. Since October is National Fire Prevention Month, we’re offering some tips to keep you from suffering the same devastating fate.

• If you have food on a stove, do not leave it unattended.

• Make sure flammable objects such as potholders and towels are away from cooking areas.

• Have a smoke alarm on each floor and test them regularly to ensure they work

• Formulate an escape plan and practice it routinely.

• Consider installing fire sprinklers into your home.

*Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Our team…

…has the highest level of education and skill. …uses top-notch technology and equipment. …provides the best possible care to our patients. …is getting bigger.

Meet the newest team members.

DR. ROBERT L. PURDON

Dr. Robert Purdon, a radiation oncologist for 30 years, loves being part of RBOI. While he feels honored to offer patients advanced technologies and techniques, the most rewarding part of the job is interacting and forming genuine relationships with patients.

DR. HERMAN FLINK

We’re excited to announce the addition of Dr. Herman Flink, a radiation oncologist for nearly 40 years who is board-certified in both radiology and radiation oncology. He completed his residency and fellowship at Johns Hopkins University.

THE VILLAGES 352.259.2200

OCALA 352.732.0277

TIMBER RIDGE 352.861.2400

INVERNESS 352.726.3400

LECANTO 352.527.0106

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TRIVIA TIME

Who was the former director of the National Training Center in Clermont who led the U.S. women’s softball team to gold medals at the Olympics in 1996 and 2000? Please make an educated guess before looking at the answer below.

THE “TRICKS” TO HALLOWEEN SAFETY

This month, Lake County children will roam the streets dressed as ghosts, vampires, and witches. However, the scariest aspects of Halloween are the reckless drivers, unsafe neighborhoods, and toxic candy. To make Halloween a spookingly spectacular experience, be sure your young trick-ortreater follows these tips provided by the American Red Cross.

* Bring a flashlight.

* If you’re not going to trick-or-treat with your child, be sure he or she goes with a group of friends and informs you of the route beforehand.

* Go to homes of people you know. If you go to a stranger’s house, accept candy at the door and don’t go inside.

* Wear light colored clothing so you’re visible to motorists.

* Use face paint instead of masks. A mask covers your eyes.

* Walk on sidewalks rather than streets. Always be watching for cars.

* Cross the street only at corners. Remember to look both ways.

* When your child finishes trick-or-treating, inspect his or her candy thoroughly. Don’t allow your child to eat candy already open.

SETTING A STRONGER ‘FOUNDATION’

April Kauffman has been appointed to serve as president of the Florida Hospital Waterman Foundation. She began her career with the foundation in 1988 as director of development and later assumed responsibilities for volunteer services and the gift shop. During her career, she helped lead three successful capital campaigns totaling $13 million to build the Florida Hospital Waterman Cancer Institute and the Florida Hospital Waterman Heart Center.

“April is an incredible leader for the foundation,” says David Ottati, the hospital’s president and chief executive officer. “Through her many years of experience with Florida Hospital Waterman, April has been committed to the mission and values of our organization, and we look forward to her continued success in her new role leading the foundation.”

Dot Richardson. She is now head softball coach at Liberty University in Virginia.

RANDY FINK, MD, FACOG PAMELA COOK, MSN, NP

A PLACE FOR HOPE

WRITER: DEBBI KIDDY

Charlotte Osborne was smoking marijuana at 15. By the time she was 28 and the mother of two young children, she was a drug addict. She moved into using crack cocaine before she got the wake-up call that drastically changed her life.

“I lost my kids,” she says tearfully, recalling her children were 7 and 4 when the Florida Department of Children and Families took them from her.

However, chance encounters with a caring stranger finally gave her the motivation she needed to make a healthy lifestyle change.

“It’s actually kind of a God story,” she says. “There was this guy, and I can’t even tell you his name now, but I ran into him, off and on, at the lowest points of my life. He would always try to get me to go to this place, but I would say, ‘No, I’m not going to the shelter.’”

After the third time of seeing him over the course of several months, Charlotte decided to visit the Women’s Care Center in Leesburg, one of several Christian Care Center ministries on the campus of First Baptist Church.

“From the moment I walked in, I knew it was going to be OK,” Charlotte says. “The director, Carol Barber, had a huge impact on my life and is like a mentor. She taught me that I was worth something …I got clean from my addiction and got connected to the church.”

Charlotte went to work and completed the program required by the WCC and was employed at the center for about nine years. While there, she met Rebecca Randall, founder and executive director of Ruth House, a transitional home for women in crisis in Umatilla.

While working to become certified as an addictions counselor, Charlotte did volunteer work at Ruth House. When a part-time position opened up, Charlotte was given the job, which

later became full time. Now in her second year, Charlotte mentors and inspires other women who need to know they are worthy of love. Sometimes all it takes it being a friend to a woman who struggles to change.

“To love them, even when they mess up, because they do—we all do,” Charlotte says. “These girls have been beat on and abused, maybe not physically, but the world just steps on them. They’ve been mistreated and rejected, abandoned, and they don’t feel like they have any worth.”

Charlotte also works in fund raising for Ruth House because it is entirely funded from private donations. A Spurs and Sparkles fundraiser will be held Oct. 22 at Lake Receptions in Mount Dora, and information about Ruth House and the event can be found at www. ruthhouse.net.

Charlotte beamed when asked about the crowning moment of her recovery and lifestyle change: “I got my kids back!”

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Medical Mysteries

ARE AGE SPOTS DANGEROUS?

WRITER: FRED HILTON

As you grow older, you may notice an increasing number of yucky-looking and unwanted spots on your arms or face. They’re flat and can be brown, gray, or black. Usually, they’re appropriately called “age spots.” Some people call them “liver spots,” but the spots have nothing at all to do with your liver.

They can range from freckle size to more than a half inch across. Sometimes, they group together making them more prominent. Medically, age spots are known as lentigines.

“Liver spots are among the inevitable changes skin undergoes as it ages,” Dr. Andrew Weil says. “They’re caused by years of sun exposure and usually show up on the parts of the body that sunlight is most likely to hit: the face, hands, back, and feet.”

People are most likely to have age spots if they’re over 40, have fair skin, and have a history of frequent sun exposure or tanning bed use.

“Age spots are caused primarily by years of exposure to ultraviolet (UV)

light from the sun,” according to the Mayo Clinic. “The pigment in the upper layer of skin (epidermis) that gives your skin its normal color is called melanin. On areas of the skin that have years of frequent and prolonged sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes ‘clumped’ or is produced in particularly high concentrations.”

The best way to avoid age spots and to promote the health of your skin is to shield it from the sun—either by protective clothing and/or sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

If you don’t want to live with your age spots, Dr. Weil says, “You can treat them with Retin-A (available with a prescription) or have them lasered away. Don’t bother with commercial ‘fade creams’— they won’t help.”

Age spots are generally considered harmless. There is the danger, however, that age spots can be confused with melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.

“As a general rule, if that spot you’re staring at is new to you, it’s a good idea

to check in with your dermatologist,” says Dr. John Wolf Jr., a dermatologist, professor, and chairman of the dermatology department at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “I strongly recommend a full-body exam for anyone over age 50—maybe even earlier for some patients.”

If you’re old enough to have age spots, you’re old enough to remember the great TV show, “Hill Street Blues.” So, when it comes to the sun, follow Sergeant Phil Esterhaus’ warning and “let’s be careful out there.”

Sources

Medical Mysteries – October, 2016

Are Age Spots Dangerous?

“How to Treat Age Spots,” by Laurie Polis, M.D., reviewed by Michael W. Smith, M.D., WebMD.com, June 1, 2009. http://www.webmd.com/beauty/aging/age-spots

“Age spots (liver spots),” by Mayo Clinic Staff, Mayo Clinic, April 10, 2014

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/age-spots/basics/symptoms/con-20030473

Áge Spots,” by Healthline Editorial Team, reviewed by Steven Kim, M.D., HealthLine, October 15, 2015 http://www.healthline.com/health/age-spots#Overview1

“Melanoma or Age Spots? How to Tell the Difference,” by Madeline Vann, M.P.H., medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, M.D., Everyday Health, July 8, 2013 http://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-cancer/melanoma-or-agespots-how-to-tell-the-difference.aspx

“Are Age Spots Dangerous?” by Andrew Well, M.D., DrWell.com, December 2, 2006 http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA3369

A forever family

How Four Local Boys Found the Way Home

The story of Joshua, Brandon, Benjamin and Hamilton shows the power of compassion in action—and how loving foster and adoptive parents can make a difference for life.

The four local brothers were removed from their home in May 2009 due to physical and emotional abuse. A neighbor initially took in the four boys, but the living situation proved difficult for the new caretakers, and elder brothers Brandon and Joshua entered foster care. Meanwhile, the biological mother surrendered her parental rights to the older boys, hoping to regain custody of twins Benjamin and Hamilton.

Joshua and Brandon flourished with foster parents, Rebecca and Richard Farling. The boys felt safe and loved, but they missed their younger brothers. The Farlings had committed to adopting all four boys, yet Benjamin and Hamilton remained with their caretakers. Desperate to be reunited with their siblings, Brandon and Joshua wrote letters pleading to the court.

Brandon wrote movingly about the pain of being separated from his brothers, saying that he had fi nally found “a place to belong” and wanted to share it with them. Joshua wrote that he was uncomfortable with the twins’ living situation, and he expressed his hope that they too could join in the lifelong bond of adoption.

On April 23, 2012, after much testimony, the judge read the boys’ letters, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the courtroom. The judge ordered that the twins, Benjamin and Hamilton, be placed with their siblings, Joshua and Brandon. Three years after being removed, all four siblings were back together in one home and have found their forever family together.

Today, Brandon attends the University of Florida and will graduate in December 2016 with a degree in Psychology. Joshua will soon graduate from the United States Navy’s Nuclear Program in Charleston. Twins Benjamin and Hamilton are “A” students who will be enrolled in the sixth grade for the 2016-2017 school year.

The brothers are excelling today because Rebecca and Richard Farling opened their hearts and home to them. Many more young people—and especially siblings ages 9 to 15—still need a loving foundation for life. Please ask yourself if, like the Farlings, you are called to show a child or group of siblings the way home.

To learn more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent, please call Paula Mealy of Kids Central, Inc. at (352) 387-3487, or visit KidsCentralFosterParents.org for more information. Kids Central, Inc. is the nonprofit lead agency charged with caring for abused, neglected, and abandoned children in Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties.

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STORY: JAMES COMBS, LEIGH NEELY, THERESA CAMPBELL, DEBBI KIDDY PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

Ahost of reality shows on television feature people who find ways to survive in tough situations. However, the survivors you’ll meet in the following pages are true survivors—people who faced life-threatening illnesses, went through devastating acts of nature, and endure the evil that men do. But they survived. They came out the other side of whatever they faced stronger than they ever thought they would be, more attuned to their faith and the love and support of people who cared, and eager to enjoy every day as the precious gift it is. Survivors— real people facing real issues and overcoming the odds.

Stories of endurance. They may have grown weary, but they never gave up, gave in, or let go of the rope of their faith.

Barbara Augustine

Did the stress of moving from Iowa to The Villages wreak havoc on Barbara Augustine’s health? It’s a question she has pondered since she experienced serious back-to-back health woes of asthma, a bad back, and breast cancer.

Before the new resident could find doctors, Barbara found herself in the hospital a few times with bad asthma. Fortunately, a pulmonary specialist provided the relief she needed.

“I quit my coughing,” she says. “I had been coughing for two years with asthma.”

Then came some painful backaches.

“I ended up to where I could hardly walk half a block because my back was so sore,” says Barbara, who was recommended to have back surgery. It was a success and Barbara was elated she could walk four miles without any pain.

Just when she thought she could enjoy The Villages lifestyle and make plans to learn to play golf, she discovered she was not done in making trips to the hospital.

“Two weeks before my mammogram was scheduled, I found a lump on my

right breast,” Barbara says. She began the process of mammograms and biopsies. Surgery was scheduled at Moffitt Cancer Center.

“The thing that goes through your mind is, ‘Am I going to make it?’ And I’m sure that goes through any person’s mind when the word ‘cancer’ is given to them,” she says. “I was very lucky that a lumpectomy could be done, and they took two lymph nodes.”

After a trip to Iowa for her 50th class reunion, she began treatments. The surgeons at Moffitt Cancer Center referred Barbara to Florida Cancer Specialists for her chemotherapy treatments because they have a local outpatient chemotherapy infusion centers in The Villages, Lady Lake, Leesburg, and Clermont.

“Dr. Maen Hussein’s office is wonderful, and I couldn’t have found a better office to take chemo in,” Barbara says. “But when you go through chemo, you get very emotional, you have your ups and downs. I got very sick, lost the hair, and the pride of a woman goes when she loses her hair.”

Chemotherapy was followed by 28 radiation treatments at the Sharon Morse Medical Center in The Villages, which she ended in March.

“The first few times, like everything, you don’t know

what to expect,” she says, recalling she enjoyed interacting with the volunteer. “After I finished those treatments, I decided to volunteer there.”

Barbara goes every Tuesday morning for up to five hours, visiting with patients, especially women.

“Women have a little harder time than men because it’s more visible from losing hair and losing the breasts,” she says. “When I talk to them and tell them I have been through this whole thing, the first question they ask is, “How long did it take your hair to grow back?”

Barbara found it comforting to realize she was not the only person going through cancer, and she valued the support she received from her husband, Gary, and daughter, Lynn, who moved from Texas to be near her mother.

They motivated her to get out and not hibernate at home.

“You just keep pushing on,” Barbara says as advice to others going through health woes. “Life continues. Every day is special. Live your life like you’ve always lived it, because there might not be a tomorrow.”

“The thing that goes through your mind is, ‘Am I going to make it?’ And I’m sure that goes through any person’s mind when the word ‘cancer’ is given to them.”

— BARBARA AUGUSTINE

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR

Madison Kusky

Madison Kusky, 14, known as Madi to family and friends, lights up a room with her smile, but the Fruitland Park teen’s health has been anything but bright recently.

She is battling a rare brain tumor.

Her long, arduous journey began the summer before eighth grade. She was losing weight and had extreme fatigue. At first, doctors suspected anorexia, but her mother Jamaica and her counselor didn’t. As a result, Madi endured test after test. She fell asleep at school or doing homework but had no memory of these lapses.

When vision problems developed, her mother took her to University of Florida Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville where they received a shocking diagnosis—a rare brain tumor.

When her mother broke down, Madi felt overwhelmed. “I had never seen my mom cry. She’s a pretty tough girl. I didn’t have words, and we all cried,” Madi says.

Though the freshman at The Villages High School remembers asking, “Mom, am I going to die?” No one had any answers.

“I stayed in the hospital for two weeks, and every single day I asked my mom, ‘What’s going to happen to me?’”

While other 13-yearolds were hanging out or shopping with friends, Madi was under a watchful eye as her mother checked her temperature and her white blood cell count was monitored during weekly trips to Shands for chemotherapy.

“I have the most amazing chemo nurses in the world! They would sit with me and let me braid their hair, and they always know how to put a smile on my face,” she says.

From the beginning of her ferocious fight, Madi relied on her deep faith and the support and prayers of family and friends.

“My faith really came in when I asked God to keep me from getting sick after the chemo, because I just could not handle it anymore,” she says. “I definitely can say my faith was all there when, after the chemo, I didn’t get sick at all!”

Though it was difficult for her, Madi admits those closest to her help. “Whether it’s my mom or my friends, I have an amazing support system,” she says.

Madi continues to receive strength and encouragement through friends and family on Facebook, where her mother keeps followers informed of her progress.

So does the encouragements she received at Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis this summer. She refers to the

week as a “life-changing” experience. The camp, founded by the actor Paul Newman and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, gives children with serious illnesses a week of fun activities with medical supervision.

“I loved it,” Madi says of the camp. “One counselor really stuck out for me. Her name was Virginia. I asked her to sit by the side of my bed and she wouldn’t leave until I had fallen asleep,” Madi says.

A highlight of camp for Madi was hearing other campers praise her positive attitude. “People from other groups said, ‘I want to say thank you to Madison for always having a smile on her face, for making me smile.”

The compliments touched Madi deeply. “It just made me feel so good!”

She says she felt like family as soon as she arrived at Camp Boggy Creek. “It’s just like a fresh start, like nothing even matters, all the problems, they just disappear. It was amazing!”

Madi is grateful to Miss Jenna from Shands Hospital who told her about the camp. Recent test results indicate the tumor is shrinking, surprising her doctors, and her prognosis looks good. To follow Madi’s progress on Facebook, look for Team Madison— Stay Strong Beautiful.

“I have the most amazing chemo nurses in the world! They sit with me and let me braid their hair, and they always know how to put a smile on my face.”

— MADISON KUSKY

TUMOR SURVIVOR

Jim Miller

Behind Jim Miller’s house is a lovely garden area canopied by old oak trees lacy with Spanish moss. The beautiful pentas that attract colorful butterflies and the bright blooms of the shrimp plant are beautiful. It seems the perfect place for the man who beat cancer by turning to nature for its healing powers.

In 2006, when his massage therapist told Jim his spleen was hard as a rock and he needed to see a doctor. His busy life got in the way, and it was two months before he went in. The doctor was shocked that Jim’s hemoglobin was 6 when it should have been 12-16 and immediately ordered a transfusion.

“He was pretty sure I had cancer in my bone marrow, which was inhibiting my production of red blood cells,” Jim says. “He said they could stave it off with chemo, but it would keep coming back faster and faster until they couldn’t do chemo anymore.”

As predicted, Jim’s diagnosis was Non-Hodgkin’s Leukemic Lymphoma (NHLL). He went to Dr. Rambabu Tummala, hematologist and medical oncologist, beginning chemotherapy just a month later.

The chemotherapy worked, and he was de-

clared in remission. However, indications were a less aggressive strain of the NHLL was coming back—at 6 to 7 percent. Jim was sent to Moffitt Cancer Center and was told a bone marrow transplant was the answer—60 to 70 percent rate of success, most likely organ damage, hope that he would live five years.

When the massage therapist mentioned his spleen was lumpy again, Jim chose an alternative approach his sister-in-law recommended— Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach. Jim says. “I could always take my chances with the bone marrow transplant later.”

After spending three weeks at the institute, new tests indicated Jim’s blood counts were better. In June 2008 a bone marrow biopsy showed he was in full remission, and the cancer strain was down to 0.1 percent.

Eight years later, Jim continues to adhere to the Hippocrates Institute lifestyle plan, which focuses on mind, body, and spirit. Sleep and exercise are essential to health and healing just as peace of mind and joy are.

“The main thing I still do is have a 16-ounce glass of fresh juice, made from sunflower sprouts, cucumber, and celery,” Jim says. “I also have two to three ounces of wheatgrass juice and add

a clove of garlic (which is a strong anti-cancer agent).”

At Hippocrates, Jim learned not to swallow until his food is puree, which makes being hungry a non-issue. “My body is getting all the nutrients it needs with whole, live food,” Jim says. “I learned to focus on what I could eat—lots of delicious raw food dishes— not what I couldn’t eat,” Jim says. “In my old life, I ate to feel good, now I feel good because of what I eat.”

Today he’s a trim 185 and sees his oncologist every three months. This March he celebrated the 10th year since his diagnosis. Though his diet is not as rigid as it once was, he eats no wheat, dairy, or processed food with gluten, and he practice slow yoga.

He feels sharing his story is his ministry. When people call for advice, he encourages them to watch his YouTube video about growing wheatgrass and sunflower sprouts. If they call back with more interest, he talks with them about the lifestyle change, though they seldom call back.

“My cancer turned out to be a total blessing,” Jim says. “I feel like I’m in my 30s with lots of energy, flexibility, and strength. I told the educational foundation I’d do ‘Dancing with the Stars’ when I was 70, and I have three years to go.”

“I feel like I’m in my 30s with lots of energy, flexibility, and strength.

I told the educational foundation I’d do ‘Dancing with the Stars’ when I was 70, and I have three years to go.”

— JIM MILLER

BONE CANCER SURVIVOR

Angela Weitzel

After years of waiting and wondering, a young mother finally received the phone call—news to head to the hospital for a possible kidney transplant.

“I was kind of freaking out,” says Angela (Wasson) Weitzel, 32, recalling the July 25 call from Florida Hospital Transplant Institute in Orlando. “I was trying not to get my hopes up.”

Rejected as an ideal candidate just weeks before, her fear was that could happen again.

This time doctors gave the go-ahead, prepped her for surgery, and by 3 a.m. July 26, she came out of the operating room with a healthy kidney.

“I’m peeing all the time, like ever 15 minutes, but it’s a good thing,” she says with a chuckle.

She’s thrilled to be alive and doesn’t complain about numerous bathroom trips, twice-a-week visits to Orlando for check-ups, or that taking more than 30 different medications daily for the kidney to survive in her body, medications she needs for the rest of her life.

It was June 2010 when she became gravely ill and moved from the ER to intensive care with kidney failure.

Tests revealed she had Wegener’s granulomatosis,

a rare autoimmune disease affecting the vascular system, and can also damage kidneys, lungs, and other organs.

Angela found little research on Wegener’s. Doctors told her certain people have a predisposition to the disease, and once they get certain infections, it causes the body to turn on itself.

While battling Wegener’s, she also was fighting chronic kidney disease, and went to Florida Hospital in Orlando for heart surgery and a pacemaker.

“I will always be fighting Wegener’s,” Angela says. “Getting the kidney and being on anti-rejection meds for the kidney will also keep the Wegener’s at bay.”

The hope is this new kidney will last 10 to 15 years— transplant patients know a new kidney won’t last forever. However, she’s doing all she can to ensure it stays healthy as long as possible.

Angela says. “I’ve got like several alarms on my phone every day as reminders.”

She continues to live with her father, Bill Wasson, at Holiday Mobile Park in Tavares, her home since January 2015.

Almost a hundred of her father’s neighbors recently showed their support for Angela with a hot-dog dinner fundraiser. Their kindness

meant a lot to the pair.

Her illness drastically altered the normalcy of the life she loved as a working mother. She had to leave her job and relinquish care of her daughters to their father and stepmother in Virginia. She also battled depression and went through periods of grief.

“And over the years, I have dealt with feelings that the transplant was never going to happen,” she says.

Kidney transplants are expensive. The National Foundation for Transplants reports the average costs runs about $250,000. Even with insurance, which covered the transplant, Angela has mounting costs for follow-up care and medications.

“Being in Florida, I know it’s going to put me in serious medical debt,” she says of the state not expanding Medicaid coverage. She may have to file bankruptcy.

However, she’s grateful to be alive. “It’s amazing,” she’s says, and has hope for the future.

She aspires to be well enough to use her business degree to work again, to be near her daughters, and have a home with property to enjoy the outdoors.

“That would be my dream,” she says. “A normal life is all I want.”

“I was kind of freaking out,” says Angela (Wasson) Weitzel, 32, recalling the July 25 call from Florida Hospital Transplant Institute in Orlando.

“I was trying not to get my hopes up.”

— ANGELA WEITZEL

KIDNEY TRANSPLANT SURVIVOR

OBESITY SURVIVOR

Kasey Naves

On a lovely summer day, 58-year-old Kasey Naves had her hair and nails done at her favorite salon. Afterward, she went grocery shopping, drove home, and unloaded the bags herself.

Just an ordinary day, right? For Kasey, who once weighed 498 pounds, it was a liberating experience.

“Prior to that, I hadn’t driven by myself in seven years and hadn’t done anything by myself in 10 years,” said Kasey, a resident of Leesburg. “I felt I was free because I didn’t have to be dependent on anyone. I could be myself again. That was my first step in getting out among people and getting the old me back.”

Thanks to bariatric surgery and healthier eating habits, Kasey dropped 218 pounds in a short one and a half years. The woman who once drank four gallons of soda a day and always ate Southern fried food and bread now enjoys a healthy diet of protein smoothies, fish, chicken, and vegetables.

Her weight loss yielded other benefits—eliminating eight of her 12 prescription medications and the need for a CPAP machine to breathe at night. Her cholesterol and blood pressure levels are normal.

“I feel better about myself than I have in a long, long time,” she says.

Kasey spent the past 10 years, as “a prisoner inside her own home.”

“I didn’t have a life and couldn’t do anything for myself. I was miserable and depressed. I hated being a burden to my friends and family members.”

But losing weight wasn’t just about improving self-esteem—it was a matter of life and death. She suffered from congestive heart failure, thyroid disease, and diabetes. Doctors strongly urged her to have bariatric surgery or risk suffering a fatal heart attack or stroke.

That warning meant Kasey had to take a long, hard look in the mirror. Unfortunately, there were no mirrors in sight.

“I took all the mirrors out of my house because I couldn’t stand to look at myself. In a sense, not seeing my reflection allowed me to pretend I wasn’t as big as I really was. But when my doctor said that, I knew I needed to do something to lose weight.”

After meeting with B.E. Thompson, a Eustis resident who lost 320 pounds naturally, Kasey learned weight loss was an enormous challenge but not an impossible task. Inspired by his story, Kasey entered the Leesburg Business Wellness Challenge in 2013. Halfway through the competition, she was bitten by a brown recluse spider. The venom in her blood

stream left her hospitalized for three months.

“I put on more weight because I was bedridden,” she says. “I couldn’t stand up to do the weekly weigh-ins so I was forced to drop out of the challenge.”

However, she made the temporary setback a steppingstone to success by getting back on track after recovery. She eliminated bread, soda, and sugar and dropped 88 pounds. That was a milestone for Kasey—she proved to doctors she was committed to lifestyle changes before undergoing bariatric surgery in September 2014.

She cautions surgery is not a cure-all solution.

“It is only a tool. Although it saved my life, it did not provide an easy way out and will ultimately fail if you do not make lifestyle changes.”

As a result of her weight loss, Kasey is living large these days. Her congestive heart failure is in remission; her clothes are five sizes smaller. She plans to lose 96 more pounds before having additional surgery to remove excess skin from her arms and legs.

“This is the most I’ve enjoyed life in a long, long time. My future goal is to become involved with charity functions so I can do good things in the community. I want to help others because they’ve been so gracious in helping me.”

“This is the most I’ve enjoyed life in a long, long time. My future goal is to become involved with charity functions so I can do good things in the community.”

— KASEY NAVES

World Class Medicine.

Hometown Care.

BRINGING WORLD-CLASS CANCER CARE TO LAKE, SUMTER AND ORANGE COUNTIES

“Florida Cancer Specialists is like my family!” That’s an often-heard sentiment expressed by grateful patients undergoing treatment at one of the more than 20 Central Florida locations of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS). It may also be a surprising statement, given that, in most people’s minds, cancer is probably the greatest feared disease imaginable. So, how can one account for this positive, even affectionate, response from so many? It’s because these patients realize several facts not usually known by the general public.

First, FCS cancer patients know that, while cancer is still an extremely serious disease, for the majority of patients there are many options that were not available 20 or 30 years ago. Second, patients know that at Florida Cancer Specialists they will receive expert care and the most advanced and personalized treatments, even if they do not live in a large city.

“The heart of the FCS mission is to bring world-class care to communities, both large and small, throughout the state of Florida,” explained Dr. Roy Ambinder, a Yale-trained medical oncologist who practices in the Tavares office. Dr. Ralph Gousse, who practices in Apopka and Tavares added, “We want our patients to be able to receive the highest quality cancer treatment in a setting close to home, where they can be surrounded by family and friends.”

Florida Cancer Specialists is nationally-recognized for setting the benchmark in community-based oncology. Founded in 1984, the statewide practice offers advanced treatments, such as targeted therapies developed through genetic research and immunotherapies, which use the body’s immune system to fight cancer.

“One of the benefits of seeing an FCS specialist is continuity of care,” said Dr. Sandeep Thaper, who sees patients in Leesburg and The Villages. “Patients are usually seen by the same physician, nurses and staffers on each visit to the office. That allows our patients to build trusted relationships with their doctors that can be very comforting at a stressful time in their lives.”

“Having advanced forms of treatment available close to home means a lot to our patients,” said Dr. Imad El-Jassous, who also practices in Leesburg and The Villages. Dr. Pablo Reyes added, “They spend less time traveling and more time with family members and doing things they enjoy.”

MEET YOUR FLORIDA CANCER SPECIALISTS PHYSICIANS IN LAKE, SUMTER AND ORANGE COUNTIES

Finding Tomorrow’s Cancer Treatments

Cancer treatments have improved dramatically in the past decade, thanks to medical research. Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) is involved in more than 100 clinical trials for most types of adult cancers; 70% of new cancer drugs approved in 2015 for use in the U.S. were studied in clinical trials conducted with FCS participation, prior to FDA approval. “Clinical trials can provide an opportunity for patients to have access to new medications not yet on the market,” said Dr. Ahmed Al-Hazzouri, who sees patients in Clermont and Tavares.

FCS board member Dr. Maen Hussein, who practices in Leesburg, Tavares and The Villages, agrees. “Some of the new immunotherapies currently being studied are producing results that far exceed our expectations.”

Dr. Patrick Acevedo, who practices in The Villages (as well as Ocala and Inverness), added, “Every cancer drug that we have today began as a clinical trial study – and every promising new treatment and cure for cancer tomorrow will first be studied in a clinical trial. If you are fighting cancer, that’s a powerful incentive for seeking a clinical trial.”

A Collaborative Approach

Radiation is an integral part of many types of cancer treatment, according to Dr. Sachin Kamath, a radiation oncologist who sees patients at the Villages Cancer Center. “With radiation, we can improve outcomes for our patients,” he said. The FCS medical team uses advanced technology, such as the state-of-the-art Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator, shown here, to treat cancerous lesions with pinpoint precision. A second linear accelerator has been recently added in the Villages Cancer Center to better accommodate patients.

In addition, Dr. Kamath works closely with FCS medical oncologists to provide patients with the highest quality of care available across multiple therapies. Having radiation treatment under the same roof as medical oncology increases patient convenience and optimizes communication among team members.

Ahmed Al-Hazzouri, MD

Patrick Acevedo, MD

Roy M. Ambinder, MD

Jennifer L. Cultrera, MD Imad El-Jassous, MD

Dr. Maen Hussein discusses the benefits of a clinical trial with all his patients.

Radiation Oncologist Dr. Sachin Kamath, e Villages Cancer Center, offers patients cutting-edge radiation therapy.

Improving Survival Rates in Breast Cancer

Improving Survival Rates in Breast Cancer

Improving Survival Rates in Breast Cancer

Today’s women are extremely busy. Many juggle full-time jobs and family responsibilities. Sometimes they are so busy taking care of everyone else that they forget to take care of themselves. It’s essential to make health a top priority. In that regard, having a personal connection with your doctor is very important.

Today’s women are extremely busy. Many juggle full-time jobs and family responsibilities. Sometimes they are so busy taking care of everyone else that they forget to take care of themselves. It’s essential to make health a top priority. In that regard, having a personal connection with your doctor is very important.

Today’s women are extremely busy. Many juggle full-time jobs and family responsibilities. Sometimes they are so busy taking care of everyone else that they forget to take care of themselves. It’s essential to make health a top priority. In that regard, having a personal connection with your doctor is very important.

Consider this: according to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer – if it is detected in its earliest stages – is well over 90 percent. Early detection is definitely critical to improving outcomes for breast cancer, according to mother/daughter medical oncologists Dr. Vasundhara Iyengar and Dr. Meera Iyengar, who both see patients in Clermont.

Consider this: according to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer – if it is detected in its earliest stages – is well over 90 percent. Early detection is definitely critical to improving outcomes for breast cancer, according to mother/daughter medical oncologists Dr. Vasundhara Iyengar and Dr. Meera Iyengar, who both see patients in Clermont.

Consider this: according to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer – if it is detected in its earliest stages – is well over 90 percent. Early detection is definitely critical to improving outcomes for breast cancer, according to mother/daughter medical oncologists Dr. Vasundhara Iyengar and Dr. Meera Iyengar, who both see patients in Clermont.

Both doctors encourage female cancer patients to learn as much as possible about their disease and reach out to family members and friends for emotional support. That also means taking care of themselves during the course of their treatment and recovery. “Not all cancers are the same, and advances in treatment allow for a personalized approach to care for the disease,” the elder Dr. Iyengar added. “Most importantly, contact your doctor right away if you notice any unusual changes in your own body.”

Both doctors encourage female cancer patients to learn as much as possible about their disease and reach out to family members and friends for emotional support. That also means taking care of themselves during the course of their treatment and recovery. “Not all cancers are the same, and advances in treatment allow for a personalized approach to care for the disease,” the elder Dr. Iyengar added. “Most importantly, contact your doctor right away if you notice any unusual changes in your own body.”

Both doctors encourage female cancer patients to learn as much as possible about their disease and reach out to family members and friends for emotional support. That also means taking care of themselves during the course of their treatment and recovery. “Not all cancers are the same, and advances in treatment allow for a personalized approach to care for the disease,” the elder Dr. Iyengar added. “Most importantly, contact your doctor right away if you notice any unusual changes in your own body.”

Dr. Marays Veliz, who practices in Leesburg and The Villages, adds that many women find it comforting to discuss their issues related to breast, ovarian or other gynecological cancers with a female physician, since cancer is such a personal experience. “Being seen by an experienced woman oncologist can be reassuring for many patients,” she said. “It’s also important for the physician to be a good listener.”

Dr. Marays Veliz, who practices in Leesburg and The Villages, adds that many women find it comforting to discuss their issues related to breast, ovarian or other gynecological cancers with a female physician, since cancer is such a personal experience. “Being seen by an experienced woman oncologist can be reassuring for many patients,” she said. “It’s also important for the physician to be a good listener.”

Dr. Marays Veliz, who practices in Leesburg and The Villages, adds that many women find it comforting to discuss their issues related to breast, ovarian or other gynecological cancers with a female physician, since cancer is such a personal experience. “Being seen by an experienced woman oncologist can be reassuring for many patients,” she said. “It’s also important for the physician to be a good listener.”

Iyengar and her daughter, Dr. Meera Iyengar, encourage women to do monthly self-examinations and get recommended mammograms to detect cancer early.

Rakesh Rohatgi, MD

Maen Hussein, MD

Pablo C. Reyes Jr., MD

Ralph Gousse, MD

Sandeep K. Thaper, MD

Meera Iyengar, MD

Ram Tummala, MD

Vasundhara G. Iyengar, MD, FACP

Marays Veliz, MD

Sachin Kamath, MD

Dr. Vasundhara

Rakesh Rohatgi, MD

Maen Hussein, MD

Pablo C. Reyes Jr., MD

Ralph Gousse, MD

Sandeep K. Thaper, MD

Meera Iyengar, MD Ram Tummala, MD

Vasundhara G. Iyengar, MD, FACP

Marays Veliz, MD

Sachin Kamath, MD

Dr. Vasundhara Iyengar and her daughter, Dr. Meera Iyengar, encourage women to do monthly self-examinations and get recommended mammograms to detect cancer early.

Rakesh Rohatgi, MD

Maen Hussein, MD

Pablo C. Reyes Jr., MD

Ralph Gousse, MD

Sandeep K. Thaper, MD

Meera Iyengar, MD

Ram Tummala, MD

Vasundhara G. Iyengar, MD, FACP

Marays Veliz, MD

Sachin Kamath, MD

Dr. Vasundhara Iyengar and her daughter, Dr. Meera Iyengar, encourage women to do monthly self-examinations and get recommended mammograms to detect cancer early.

Lake, Sumter and Orange Counties Office Locations

Apopka

200B N Park Avenue

Apopka, FL 32703

Phone: (407) 303-2305

Fax: (407) 303-2332

Physician: Ralph Gousse, MD

Clermont South

1920 Don Wickham Way Suite 100

Clermont, FL 34711-1977

Phone: (352) 394-1150

Fax: (866) 446-1410

Physicians: Ahmed Al-Hazzouri, MD

Meera Iyengar, MD

Vasundhara G. Iyengar, MD, FACP

Leesburg

110 North Boulevard East

Leesburg, FL 34748

Phone: (352) 323-8022

Fax: (866) 445-8571

Physicians:

Jennifer L. Cultrera, MD

Maen Hussein, MD

Leesburg North 9832 US Hwy 441 Suite 101

Leesburg, FL 34788-3984

Phone: (352) 787-3341

Fax: (844) 717-0685

Physician: Ram Tummala, MD

Leesburg South 601 E Dixie Ave Suite 1001

Leesburg, FL 34748

Phone: (352) 787-9448

Fax: (352) 787-3250

Physicians: Sandeep K. aper, MD Marays Veliz, MD

Leesburg West

1600 West Main Street

Leesburg, FL 34748-2811

Phone: (352) 530-2189

Fax: (352) 435-7687

Physicians:

Imad El-Jassous, MD

Pablo C. Reyes Jr., MD

Tavares 4100 Waterman Way

Tavares, FL 32778

Phone: (352) 343-1117

Fax: (866) 445-2968

Physicians:

Roy M. Ambinder, MD

Maen Hussein, MD

Ralph Gousse, MD

Ahmed Al-Hazzouri, MD

Villages Buenos Aires

1503 Buenos Aires Blvd Bldg 140 e Villages, FL 32162

Phone: (352) 750-5105

Fax: (352) 750-5138

Physician: Rakesh Rohatgi, MD

Villages Cancer Center

1400 N US Highway 441 Suite 540 e Villages, FL 32159

Phone: (352) 561-3290

Fax: (352) 561-3291

Physicians:

Patrick Acevedo, MD

Jennifer Cultrera, MD

Maen Hussein, MD

Sachin Kamath, MD

Sandeep aper, MD

Ram Tummala, MD

Marays Veliz, MD

Villages North

1400 US Highway 441 North Suite 924

Lady Lake, FL 32159-6812

Phone: (352) 633-8319

Fax: (352) 633-8434

Physicians:

Imad El-Jassous, MD

Pablo C. Reyes Jr., MD

At Florida Cancer Specialists, our primary purpose – and our passion – is to provide the most advanced cancer treatment, using cutting-edge technologies, in a setting where patients can be close to home and surrounded by family and friends.

NUTRITION FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIRO-

PRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC SURGERY PAIN

MANAGEMENT NUTRITION FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIROPRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC SURGERY PAIN MANAGEMENT NUTRITION FITNESS

EXPERT ASK THE HEALTH

FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIROPRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC SURGERY PAIN MANAGEMENT NUTRI-

TION FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIROPRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC SURGERY PAIN MANAGE-

MENT NUTRITION FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY

CHIROPRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC SURGERY

PAIN MANAGEMENT NUTRITION FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIROPRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY

PLASTIC SURGERY PAIN MANAGEMENT NUTRITION

FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIROPRACTIC CARE

CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC SURGERY PAIN MANAGEMENT

NUTRITION FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIRO-

PRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC SURGERY PAIN

Everyone is encouraged to go to the doctor with questions so you come away fully knowledgeable about what’s wrong. Healthy Living has brought together a number of experts to answer questions about various health issues. Find your answers here from the dedicated health professional in our area.

MANAGEMENT NUTRITION FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIROPRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC SURGERY PAIN MANAGEMENT NUTRITION FITNESS

CARDIOLOGY

QWHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I HAVE VENOUS RADIO-FREQUENCY ABLATION?

In most cases, patients may experience little, if any, pain during the procedure. Procedure may take about one hour. After the procedure, most patients experience limited to no scarring, bruising, or swelling. Most patients report noticeable improvement in their symptoms within one to two weeks following the procedure.

QHOW IS VENOUS RADIO-FREQUENCY ABLATION DIFFERENT FROM THE TRADITIONAL VEIN STRIPPING?

During vein stripping surgery, incisions are made in the groin and calf, and a tool is threaded through the diseased vein to pull the vein out of the leg. With radio-frequency ablation procedure, only one small incision is made at the insertion site and the vein is then treated and left in place. This minimally invasive approach reduces the likelihood of pain and bruising associated with vein stripping surgery, as well as a much quicker recovery.

QWHAT IS THE RECOVERY PERIOD AFTER HAVING VENOUS RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION?

The average patient typically resumes normal activities within a few days. For a few days following the radio-frequency ablation treatment, your vein specialist may recommend you refrain from very strenuous activities such as heavy lifting, or prolonged periods of standing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To find out more about Venous Radio-Frequency Ablation visit CVALakeCounty.com or call 352.742.1171 for Tavares and 352.323.5700 for Leesburg.

SAMUEL J. GOSS, D.O., FACC - CVA LAKE COUNTY

S, FACC - CVA LAKE COUNTY

WHAT ARE THE LATEST ADVANCES IN FACIAL REJUVENATION?

PLASTIC SURGERY Q

Baby boomers who have moved to The Villages and surrounding communities redefine what retirement is supposed to be. They flock to town squares for a night of dancing, ride bicycles on old country roads, engage in competitive games of softball, and even travel together to faraway destinations. They’re active and young at heart, but sometimes the wrinkles in their faces give away their age. Since they desire to look on the outside as good as they feel on the inside, we asked popular plastic surgeon Dr. Fernando Serra of Central Florida Plastic Surgery about the latest treatments for facial rejuvenation.

Non-surgical

Dr. Serra uses non-surgical injectable treatments such as Botox and Xeomin. Xeomin has proven extremely effective in the treatment of crow’s feet, forehead creases, and frown lines between the eyebrows. Similarly, Botox injections can safely and rapidly reduce facial wrinkles because it paralyzes the small facial muscles

that contribute to wrinkle formation. Juvederm and Belotero are excellent fillers for fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and upper lip.

Surgical

Dr. Serra’s signature procedure is a mini face and neck lift with smart liposuction of the neck and jowls. This procedure helps eliminate sagging jowls (also called turkey neck) and sagging skin on the cheek. Because of the gentleness of the procedure, it is performed in the comfort of Dr. Serra’s office with oral anesthesia and oral sedation. This saves patients from paying the cost of general anesthesia in a hospital.

About Dr. Serra

As a boy growing up in Bushnell, Dr. Serra had great admiration for his father, Dr. Gene Serra, a highly respected general surgeon. He would accompany his father to his Leesburg-based office.

“I’ll never forget his joy and enthusiasm for his work. I knew then that I wanted to become a doctor.”

Dr. Serra followed his dream. He earned his medical degree from the University of Florida and then completed a six-year residency at The Ohio State University. He also became board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Since that time, he has staked a solid reputation as one of Central Florida’s top plastic surgeons. Having practiced in the area since 1998, he has delivered stellar surgical results and developed countless relationships with residents of Lake and Sumter counties. For Dr. Serra, having the opportunity to practice in

his hometown is a point of pride.

“I love this area,” he says. “Everything I need is right here—my personal trainer, ballroom dance instructor, yoga instructor, exciting events, and ample shopping and dining opportunities. And, I’m grateful to be a part of our wonderful medical community over the past 18 years.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Central Florida Plastic Surgery

910 Old Camp Road Suite 142, The Villages 352-259-0722 drserra.com

FERNANDO G. SERRA, MD FACS

HOW CAN PAIN BE MANAGED WITHOUT DRUGS?

PAIN MANAGEMENT Q

Chronic pain can adversely affect our quality of life. In fact, chronic pain can be serious, debilitating, and widespread. When this happens, patients become a shell of their former selves, buried beneath all the physical pain and suddenly unable to work or participate in activities they once enjoyed.

As owner of Rays of Hope Rejuvenation Center, Valerie Gause has successfully witnessed marked improvement in patients with neuropathy, acute musculoskeletal injuries, chronic osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and shingles pain.

We asked Valerie what patients can do to help alleviate their pain.

“First and foremost, appropriate evaluation by a qualified health professional is essential for frequent pain, or pain that is limiting and not spontaneously improving in a reasonable amount of time. Once you have been appropriately evaluated, your health professional may give you options for management, some of which need to be medically supervised. However, even if you need medical intervention for your pain, there are

still many things you can do for yourself to enhance the benefits of your guided care.”

One alternative method she highly recommends is photobiomodulation, which she offers at Rays of Hope Rejuvenation Center, located in The Villages. Photobiomodulation uses infrared light that stimulates cells to generate more energy and undergo self-repair. The treatment is successful, she says, because it targets three primary underlying causes of pain.

VALERIE GAUSE, THE RAYS OF HOPE ASK

1) Inflammation—this is an underlying component of most pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

2) Trigger points—these are palpable nodules or tender spots in muscles that cause local and referred pain. Low-level laser therapy can release a trigger point in just 30 seconds per point.

3) Nerve pain—Low-level laser therapy has been clinically proven to reduce analgesia

by desensitizing nerves. More importantly, it is non-invasive and free of side effects.

Patients undergoing this treatment lie down in the NovoTHOR Light Pod, which looks similar to a tanning bed. As patients relax inside the device, low-intensity red and Near Infrared light stimulates tissue healing while reducing pain and inflammation.

The NovoTHOR Light Pod was named the Invention of the Year at the recent Elite Sports Rehabilitation Expo in 2016, and was a key com-

ponent in the recovery for the Oregon Project by Nike Olympic Athletes in the 2016 Rio Games.

“The advantage of this treatment is that it delivers photobiomodulation therapy to the body in just 12 minutes, is non-toxic, non-invasive, and has no side effects.” Valerie says.

The Rays of Hope Rejuvenation Center

352.459.9917

www.TheRaysOfHope.com

IF YOU HAD TO SAY, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

There are so many amazing supplements to choose from at the Green Apple, but if I had to narrow it down I would have to say that two of my favorite supplements are from Terry Naturally®, CuraMed® and Curamin®. Both have the amazing nutrient called Curcumin derived from the Indian spice turmeric. I like to say, “Turmeric is a medicinal spice and CURCUMIN is the powerhouse of Turmeric.”

Curcumin works in two ways. It supports healthy inflammation response and it stops oxidation in the body. We know that almost all chronic diseases from diabetes to heart disease to arthritis to Alzheimer’s and even cancer have something in common: unchecked, destructive inflammation. Curcumin reduces inflammation through its effects on multiple inflammation targets, unlike synthetic drugs, which typically work against only a particular inflammation pathway.

CuraMed® is a single ingredient supplement which happens to have the most clinically studied Curcumin in the world. This particular

QCurcumin is blended with Turmeric essential oil for better absorption, blood retention, and additional benefits from the turmerones present in the oil. CuraMed® is a cell protector and a MUST for cognitive support. Much of the research surrounding the Curcumin in CuraMed® revolves around healthy DNA replication, brain health, and overall mental well-being.

Curamin® supports safe, effective pain relief. Curcumin and Boswellia, two herbs that address the causes of pain, plus DLPA – a combination of the amino acids d-phenylalanine and l-phenylalanine to support endorphins and the “feel good” natural hormones in the brain for faster recovery. Curcumin and Boswellia have been studied in combination and have shown great results for mobility and relief. And the reason Curamin® is so popular in our store is that it works! People notice a difference, plus, Curamin® is non habit forming,

it doesn’t affect the stomach lining, or damage the liver, so anyone dealing with occasional pain has one less thing to worry about.

Both Curamin® and CuraMed® are two of our most frequently requested supplements, and two that I know personally my customers can count on. The ingredients in each one are top-notch, and provide a natural solution to some of the most challenging health concerns anyone can face. That’s why they are one of my and my customers’ favorites. For more information, stop at THE GREEN APPLE HEALTH FOOD STORE and receive a free audio book “The 21st Century Cure,” while supplies last!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Green Apple Health Foods 352.350.2191

MICHELLE MOMMAERTS, THE GREEN APPLE HEALTH FOODS

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE GOOD FITNESS AND NUTRITION TOGETHER

TYRELL RACHEL, PERSONAL TRAINER

your personal appearance, encourage fun with family and friends, and maintain the ability to live independently. Eating smart and being active have similar effects on our health. These include: help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and some cancers and associated disabilities. They can also help to prevent weight gain and/or promote weight loss.

Do you want to improve your overall well-being, feel better, have more energy, and perhaps even live longer?

Look no further! Once you find that balance between nutrition and exercise you’re one step closer to answering the question. The benefits of exercise are yours for the taking, regardless of your age, sex or physical ability. Rising levels of obesity and diabetes in America are prime examples of the effects of a poor diet and a lack of exercise. Fitness is nothing without proper nutrition. You can’t out exercise a bad diet!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To learn more call Tyrell Rachel at 352.406.5056 or email trachelfitness@gmail.com

A balanced diet and exercise helps promote healthy living. Scientists and medical experts remind us that maintaining a good balance of diet and exercise complements a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise and the consumption of a healthy diet leads to a host of benefits, including increased energy, happiness, health and a long life. If you’re overweight, eating healthy and exercising regularly can help you lose weight safely and keep it off.

Eating more fruit and vegetables can help you lose pounds and maintain your optimum weight, especially when combined with physical activity. Fresh produce, including berries, are natural convenience foods- delicious and easy to eat! These colorful fruits are considered superfoods that promote disease prevention. Exercise and eating superfoods are so important to feeling and looking younger. Healthy foods are generally lower in calories and higher in nutrients than other foods, and regular physical activity burns off extra calories to maintain a healthy physique. A combination

of working out and eating healthy foods can boost your energy level and help you feel more alert and aware, both mentally and physically. Healthy foods give your body the nutrients and vitamins it needs to function at its best. The best approach is to partake in a well-planned training routine and eat a healthy, balanced diet.

I have been a personal trainer and fitness instructor for over 7 years. My passion comes from seeing the growth, both physical and mental, in each and every one of my clients. I’m most passionate when I realize that I have helped someone accomplish what they never thought they could do.

Your diet should not only support your health and weight goals, but also improve your training performance.

I am a fitness professional with the knowledge, skills and abilities to foster safe and effective exercise and fitness program design, instruction and assistance for the purpose of reaching personal health and fitness goals. Being active can also improve

FINANCES

CAMRON VARNEY, FINANCIAL CONSULTANT ASK THE HEALTH

Most of us dream about retirement. No more last-minute deadlines, early-morning meetings, or cranky bosses to deal with.

Plus, we envision ourselves taking luxurious cruises or making weekend getaways to fancy beach-side hotels. And on the weekdays, we’ll gather with buddies to enjoy a few rounds of golf.

Of course, none of these dreams will become reality if we failed to properly plan for retirement. Instead, we’ll have to continue working and carefully budget every penny.

Camron Varney, a financial consultant with Central Florida Wealth Management, provides some tips to help your investments last through the retirement years.

1) “In my opinion, the best defense is a good offense. You need to invest and save throughout your working years. Many employees do not take full advantage of their employer’s matching contribution. If your employer matches a portion of your retirement plan contributions, at a minimum you should contribute enough to get the full match. Otherwise, you may be passing up money.”

2) “During your working years, using a more aggressive financial strategy may be tolerable because it will help build the values of your investment accounts faster and you will have more time to recover potential losses. However, in later years approaching retirement, you should begin preserving your investment and retirement money.

There are multiple avenues to accomplish this, according to your needs and goals. These options will allow you to turn your savings and investments into a steady stream of income to last you through your retirement years or leave behind as a legacy.

3) Proper account management and strategies are extremely important when it comes to retirement planning. If you’ve never sat down with a qualified financial consultant to see what your financial future looks like, then I highly recommend doing so. A financial consultant can help you find a comfortable ratio when it comes to the three biggest aspects of helping you plan your retirement—what are you spending, what are you saving, and how much debt are you paying off? Most importantly, financial consultants can offer prospective on your individual goals and needs as well as your retirement.”

A native of Summerfield, Camron is truly an

asset to each of his clients. Not only does he possess a wealth of knowledge; he is also extremely personable and relationship-driven. He helps clients understand their current financial situation, creates and prioritizes financial goals, and develops a plan to help them reach or exceed their goals. Time and time again, he surpasses expectations of his clients by providing a customized approach to retirement planning rather than relying on cookie-cutter solutions.

“I do investments, as well as medical insurance and life insurance,” he said. “I put my clients’ interests first and foremost, and that’s why they refer their family members and friends to me.”

HOW CAN I ENSURE THAT MY INVESTMENTS WILL LAST THE LIFE OF MY RETIREMENT?

WILL I EVER GET BACK TO THE WAY I USED TO BE?

As a practitioner in psychiatry for more than 40 years, this question has been posed many times when I initially meet a patient. In return, I ask the patient what this question means and the patient responds with one of the following descriptions:

“I want my energy back.”

“I used to have a good outlook on my life and the future.”

“My thinking was quicker and more clear.”

“I used to socialize with ease and now I don’t enjoy being out of the house.”

“I think constantly—especially at night—and can’t sleep.”

“I feel frustrated all the time and people make me angry.”

“I don’t have any motivation.”

“I don’t do or finish the things I’m supposed to do.”

Past Understanding

In the past, the primary focus in treating an emotional imbalance was psychotherapy and the therapist may or may not refer you to a psychiatrist for medication management. This usually meant extended periods of psychotherapy with the focus on analyzing how earlier childhood experiences shaped your behavior now. Once the connection between past and present experiences began to make sense, the patient felt a sense of organized thinking, improved insight, and readiness to make changes. If a psychiatrist was consulted, medications were provided to help the person get through this difficult period.

Present Understanding

Now, after the 90’s “decade of the brain,” the approach to emotional imbalance focuses on balancing neurochemicals to improve the electrical conduction of the brain. This shift in approach is sometimes called “medicalizing psychiatry.”

We know two things: our brain is a circuitry of electrical conduction and when a part of this circuitry is not working effectively, we end up not thinking or feeling the same in the world. This eventually leads to emotional imbalance and negative feelings.

As an example, when we are using our computer/cell phone and it won’t

CELIA NACCARATO PHD, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC

PSYCHOLOGY Q

do what it’s supposed to do, the first thing you say is “Why isn’t this thing working?” Your feelings may start with frustration, then can become anger. Another experience may be feeling helpless and if the frustration continues, you feel hopeless and want to give up. But if an expert is consulted, program adjustments are made and the computer/cell phone is back to the way it used to be, and you feel as confident as you did before.

Conclusion

Much like the computer/cell phone, if we don’t know our emotional balance is predicated on our brain working effectively, then we may suffer longer than needed. An effective operation of the brain circuitry gives us clarity, organized, focused thinking, and the ability to handle life’s challenges and “get back to how [we] used to be.” Behavioral changes in psychotherapy are accelerated since the brain is working more effectively and efficiently.

Access Psych Care PLLC

809 County Road 466, Ste. 302, Lady Lake, FL 32159

Phone: 352.633.3311

Fax: 844.204.7598

CHIROPRACTIC CARE Q

WHY CHIROPRACTIC CARE VS TRADITIONAL MEDICINE?

There’s a place for both, and I don’t think it’s necessarily one or the other, because we actually complement each other. With chiropractic care, we remove any nerve interference of the central nervous system. This system consists of your brain and spinal cord, and they control and coordinate every function of your body. Whenever we remove any of that nerve interference, your body functions like it should. Now, when your body functions like it should, it’s going to feel like it should.

We do that through manipulation techniques, also known as spinal adjustments, that take pressure off the spinal nerves. Medicine would use more chemistry to try to achieve the same results through pills or injections. It’s kind of a different route to go, but both can be very good. There are certain circumstances where someone should

elect to take medical treatment over chiropractic care. If you are having pain and narcotics aren’t touching it, if you have rapid muscle wasting, if you have loss of bowel or bladder function—then you need to get in to see an MD, most likely a surgeon. Something is putting dangerous pressure on those nerves. Other than that, chiropractors can co-manage with medical treatment.

A lot of people come to chiropractic first. They may have taken medication in the past that had side effects they didn’t want. Chiropractic is a more natural way of doing things, letting the body heal itself. The body knows what to do given the proper environment. If you cut your arm, the body knows how to make blood clot, to produce the scar, and heal. Essentially, what we do is just put the body back in the proper environment so it can do its job.

I have several patients whom we co-manage with their primary care physician for some treatments. If we are seeing them for low back pain and their primary care physician may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication or steroids while we do spinal adjustments. Many times, patients

try us first because they are leery of drugs, had a bad reaction in the past, or they want to try something more natural first.

DR.

AT AGE 63

SHE LOST HER JOB

AND INSURANCE

TWYINE LITTLEJOHN WANTS TO THANK YOU FOR OUR COMMUNITY CLINICS

EFFECTIVE ACCOUNTABLE EFFICIENT

BODY

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”

— John F. Kennedy

BODY

EAT RIGHT TO FIGHT

The importance of eating cancer-fighting foods.

WRITER: ED WHITE

Whether you have any medical concerns or not, always incorporate cancerfighting foods into your diet. No matter how healthy you are right now, eating right is the best way to maintain good physical, mental, and emotional health. It can help you achieve a state of overall wellness and prevent the onset of disease.

Begin by talking to your primary care physician about your current state of health. Discuss any hereditary concerns you have and mention any symptoms you may be experiencing. Having an honest relationship with your doctor is important for many reasons. Remember, they have the baseline numbers for your vitals and blood work. If something were to happen to you, this data would be invaluable to medical personnel treating you.

Find out if there are any foods you should avoid. Since most cancer-fighting foods are good for you, there probably won’t be many. However, you do have to consider the possibility that allergies or food sensitivities may keep you from eating some of them.

You can find a variety of foods online that are

loaded with antioxidants and other compounds to help boost your resistance to cancer. Compare several lists and look for those that keep popping up—they are likely to benefit you the most. Include them in your diet. Don’t forget variety is an important key to maintaining a healthy diet. It’s best to avoid eating the same fruits and vegetables each day.

Here are several known cancer-fighting foods to consider:

• Beans

• Berries (especially blueberries,

• strawberries, and black raspberries)

• Tomatoes

• Garlic

• Whole grains

• Cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli)

• Green tea

• Green, leafy vegetables

• Walnuts

• Grapes

• Olive oil

• Turmeric

Try to shake things up by putting together a variety of different meals. For example, one day, have dry cereal with fruit for breakfast; switch to a

smoothie the next day. You’ll be getting fruit both days, but keeping it interesting. If you allow yourself to get bored with meal choices, you most likely won’t stick to it for long.

Always include plenty of raw and cooked vegetables. One of the best ways to incorporate this is by eating soup or a salad with each meal. Remember, the bigger you make your soups and salads, the less room you’ll have for foods that work against you, such as those containing animal fats and processed meats. If you’re not a fan of soups or salads, it’s best to begin with small portions and gradually go up to larger portions.

To add further variety, consider chopping or blending vegetables into a smoothie. Juicing your vegetables is a popular way to get more vitamins and minerals while keeping calories low. Don’t be afraid of variations on these suggestions to come up with more ideas you like.

Being healthy means selecting the right foods and eating them regularly. When you eat foods with cancer-fi ghting properties, you’re taking a huge step in the right direction.

EASY PORK CHOPS WITH SWEET APPLES AND ONIONS

This is a quick and easy family favorite with a combination of sweet and savory. Double up for leftovers!

DIFFICULTY: EASY

INGREDIENTS

“My favorite thing to do is teach how to cook easy, healthy, budget-friendly meals with minimal ingredients!”

Jaime Alonso, certified health coach

I received my initial training and certification as a wellness coach at Spencer Institute. I then continued my training as a health coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s cutting-edge health coach training program. During my training, I studied more than100 dietary theories, practical lifestyle management techniques, and innovative coaching methods with some of the world’s top health and wellness experts. My teachers included Dr. Andrew Weil, director of The Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine; Dr. Deepak Chopra, leader in the field of mindbody medicine; Dr. David Katz, director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center; Dr. Walter Willet, chair of nutrition at Harvard University; Geenan Roth, best-selling author and expert on emotional eating; and many other leading researchers and nutrition authorities.

DIRECTIONS

3 Tablespoons

• Heat a large pan over a medium-high heat. Season pork chops with salt and pepper to taste.

• Melt 2 tablespoons of butter or oil and fry the pork chops, about 5 minutes on each side, (depending on thickness) or until fully cooked and browned.

• Set pork chops aside and reduce heat to medium-low.

• In another pan, add the other tablespoon of butter or oil and add onion and apples.

• Cook until onions are caramelized and apple slices are slightly soft.

• Serve apples and onion on top of pork chops.

My responsibility at TNT is to help you create a “sustainable” lifestyle change. Meeting you where you are in your journey and equipping you with practical tools to grow and learn new strategies; teaching you how to shop and meal plan; helping you create new ideas; and learning how to go out to eat are a few of the hands-on lessons you receive. I teach you how to live well for life!

A HEALTHY, QUICK, AND EASYTO-MAKE MEAL THAT’S READY IN MINUTES

1 Large red onion

butter or coconut oil

4 Bone-in pork chops

1 Large yellow onion 4 Sliced and cored red apples Salt and pepper to taste

RESVERATROL SUPPLEMENTS: HELP OR HYPE?

WRITER: M. O’LEARY

In the constant search for good health and longevity, one antioxidant sparked the interest of scientists. A plant compound called resveratrol has shown promise in many areas of medical research, including anti-aging and combating such diseases as cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and heart disease. Resveratrol is found in the skin of red grapes, peanuts, pistachios, blueberries, and cranberries. Many manufacturers offer resveratrol in the form of supplements, but human research with resveratrol has been limited at best, so are these supplements helpful or hype?

A phenomenon called the “French Paradox” first brought resveratrol to the attention of scientists. The French population has remarkably low rates of heart disease, despite having risk factors that contribute to heart problems, such as high-fat diets and smoking. It was theorized that the consumption of red wine by the French people contributed to their health and longevity. Red wine is a rich source of resveratrol, along with other ingredients that have beneficial properties.

Scientists focused on resveratrol, doing numerous studies in test tubes and on live subjects such as mice. Their findings suggest this antioxidant has incredible potential for health benefits. Antioxidants help prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals, unstable atoms produced by toxins, pollutants, and metabolites in our body. In various scientific studies, resveratrol was shown to have protective effects on cardiovascular and neural tissue, inhibiting effects on cancer cell growth, and increasing the lifespan of certain animal models. These findings are exciting, suggesting resveratrol may prevent or delay cancer, heart disease,

neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, and even aging.

Yet studies with resveratrol on humans are very limited. Scientists don’t know if this antioxidant has the same effect in humans as it does in research animals, nor do they know the long-term effects of resveratrol consumption. Clinical trials are currently being performed with cognitively impaired subjects and those with type 2 diabetes, but these studies are limited. It’s not yet known whether resveratrol can inhibit or treat cancer in humans, or provide protection for heart and neural tissue.

The lack of human studies has called into question the usefulness of resveratrol supplements. Some medical professionals dismiss this oral supplement as hype, a way for manufacturers to profit from resveratrol’s promising initial research. Others say the promising results form a good foundation for human research, and resveratrol shouldn’t be dismissed until ineffectiveness is proven. Though resveratrol has few side effects, it may interact with blood thinners like Warfarin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. It may also have an effect on estrogen metabolism.

Resveratrol supplements appear to be safe for most consumers. Besides cost, there is very little downside to taking them, but benefits have yet to be scientifically proven. The question of whether this antioxidant is help or hype doesn’t have an answer. Consumers might be better off eating foods containing resveratrol, such as red grapes, peanuts, and berries. On the other hand, if the supplements someday prove wondrous, people taking them will be a step ahead.

The game changing new advances in cancer immunotherapy.

A new day for an old way to treat cancer

Immunotherapy

Excitement is growing in the oncological community over impressive results from immunotherapy, a revolutionary approach to cancer treatment. The beauty of immunotherapy that it utilizes and enhances the body’s power to fight disease. A series of clinical studies showed the treatment’s remarkable ability to shrink tumors and extend the life of patients. Researchers predict immunotherapy will replace chemotherapy as the new standard of treatment for many forms of cancer—and soon.

This treatment stimulates the body’s immune response to target cancer cells. Discovered in the 1890s, it was soon overshadowed by other cancer treatments such as radiation. However, immunotherapy treatments are now found in many forms, from vaccines for cervical and pancreatic cancers to drugs such as nivolumab for lung cancer and melanoma.

Modern immunotherapy is designed to serve two functions—bolstering the strength of the immune system and training it to be more efficient in fighting cancer. The immune system acts as a security patrol for the body, detecting and killing abnormal cells. Immunotherapies aid this process in three ways:

Monoclonal antibodies:

These synthetic proteins target specific antigens produced by cancer cells. The antibodies are introduced to the immune system on their own (naked antibodies) or delivered attached to toxins via chemotherapy or radiation (conjugated antibodies), acting as homing beacons to seek out cancer cells.

Cancer vaccines:

Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune response to attack cancer cells. They can be customized in a lab to a patient’s specific needs for optimal results. Vaccines are currently being tested to treat a variety of cancers.

In 2014, a new pancreatic cancer vaccine nearly doubled the survival rate of patients and was given a “Breakthrough Treatment” designation by the FDA.

Non-specific immunotherapy:

This category of treatment improves the immune system while helping it kill cancer cells. One such treatment is drugs called checkpoint inhibitors. Clinical trials show that checkpoint inhibitors may be the new standard in the treatment of skin and lung cancers, among others.

The body has evolved checkpoint proteins on the

membranes of healthy cells to protect them from being attacked by their immune system. Cancer cells often go undetected because they “disguise” themselves with checkpoint proteins, and T cells that normally would destroy the cancer end up destroying themselves.

These drugs suppress the efficiency of checkpoint proteins, thus unmasking cancer cells and allowing the body to attack them. Until recently, immunotherapy treatments using checkpoint inhibitors weren’t effective at differentiating healthy tissue from cancerous tissue, which caused significant side effects. However, new advances in immunotherapy drugs introduced at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in 2015 identify a certain protein (called PDL1) and specifically target it around cancerous tumors while ignoring healthy cells.

In certain forms of cancer, it can be. For example, the immunotherapy drug, nivolumab, has extended the lives of study participants in the final stages of lung cancer who didn’t respond to chemotherapy. On average, patients with advanced stage squamous-cell lung cancer are predicted to live 9.4 months after a full course of chemo. Participants on nivolumab lived an average of 12.2 months—a 27 percent reduced risk of death.

Thus far, the FDA approved nivolumab for the treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer, but researchers are hopeful it will receive approval for treatments of other forms of cancer soon. The prediction is that immunotherapy drugs might treat more than 60 percent of cancers in the next decade. The side effects are less severe than those experienced with chemo or radiation. Common side effects include flu-like symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, fever, chills, diarrhea, and vomiting. Some patients have mild allergic reactions due to the introduction of proteins to the body.

Many new immunotherapy treatments are in early clinical trials and have yet to be approved by the FDA. The first approved immunotherapy drugs have stratospheric prices—a month’s supply of one drug has a price tag of more than $40,000. However, studies of these drugs show that a few months’ worth of treatment can extend the life of a patient by years. A full course of radiation treatment, by comparison, costs around $100,000. Cancer patients should consult their physicians to discuss eligibility for immunotherapy studies and explore the best treatment available to them.

TEA FOR TWO

Tea is viewed as a healthy and flavorful drink in many countries and cultures. Because it is considered a staple in the diets of many people across the globe, there’s been a lot of interest in its healthpromoting properties. In recent years, research revealed tea has earned its rightful place in a healthy diet. Here are some ways drinking tea can benefit you.

Flavonoids

Some of the tea’s healthy qualities come from a particular group of chemicals in tea leaves called flavonoids They are known for their anti-cancer effects. Studies show that flavonoid-rich teas can prevent the formation of tumors and even kill precancerous cells.

Healthy antioxidants

Antioxidants play a complex role in human

health, and they’re in tea. Although antioxidant effects are not fully understood, evidence suggests they protect your heart and circulatory system. Some studies indicate they can lower the risk of heart attack, increase hearthealthy HDL cholesterol, and help unclog arteries.

Potentially cancer-protective polyphenols

Polyphenols are another

group of chemicals found in tea. Though there’s not enough research to know for sure, polyphenols appear to play a role in risk for certain cancers, but not others. Studies have found that women who drink black tea daily have lower rates of ovarian cancer, possibly due to the action of polyphenols.

With its numerous potential benefits, tea is a smart addition to any diet, and a great alternative to sugary drinks. While drinking tea is perfectly healthy for most people, even up to five cups a day, it is not without risk. Loading up your cup of tea with too much sugar or cream will add unhealthy calories and fat. Many

teas contain significant amounts of caffeine, which may be unhealthy for those with high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat. High caffeine intake also exacerbates existing health conditions such as anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, diabetes, and digestive disorders.

If you have a health condition that requires you to limit caffeine, you might want to pass on tea or choose a decaffeinated variety. Overall, tea is inexpensive, low-calorie, healthful, and comes in enough flavors and varieties to appeal to just about anyone. Enjoy your tea!

A way to protect yourself with a great drink.

WRITER: DEVON DEVILBISS

Jason A. Boardman, M.D., F.A.C.S.

After completing surgical training, Dr. Boardman served four years in the U.S. Army and received multiple military honors in 2005. After his military service, Dr. Boardman relocated to Clermont and opened a private surgical practice. He merged with Mid-Florida Surgical Associates in 2010.

Dr. Boardman, who specializes in general surgery, is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has interest in breast disease, vein treatments, and minimally invasive surgery with emphasis on oncological procedures for breast and colon. He and his partner, Dr. Christopher Johnson, offer patients the latest in minimally invasive surgeries, utilizing the da Vinci robot. He and Dr. Johnson are working together in the introduction of TIF(transoral incisionless fundoplication), a procedure used to treat acid reflux disease. They also perform in-office vasectomies and breast biopsies.

Dr.Boardman serves as the past president of the Lake-Sumter Medical Society and as chief of the South Lake Hospital Foundation board. He is also an assistant professor for UCF Community College. The Florida Medical Association has recognized him for his leadership, and the Consumers’ Research Council of America named him “One of America’s Top Surgeons”.

Dr. Boardman and his wife, Dr. Mary Beth Lewis-Boardman, have two children: Annabella and Sam.

The focus of our practice is to provide the very best in surgical care to our patients. We strive to treat you like family.

MIND

“Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.”

— Swami Sivananda

4 TIPS FOR A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

NO MORE COUNTING SHEEP

According to the National Institute of Health, sleep deprivation among American teenagers and adults is at near-epidemic proportions. Chronic sleeplessness creates negative physical and emotional consequences and has been linked to increases in obesity and type 2 diabetes. It causes inattention, memory problems, and an inability to learn. The National Transportation Safety Board cites it as a leading cause of automobile accidents.

The sleep cycle contains four stages. Stage one sleep is the very light sleep that often comprises a short nap. The eyelids flutter, then close, but the person can still hear and respond to environmental noise. Stage two is deeper and usually occurs within 20 minutes of going to bed. There is a loss of consciousness and the brain begins to operate on a lower frequency. Stages three and four are considered deep sleep. A person alternates between

stages three and four several times during the night in 90-minute intervals. Stage four is also known as REM sleep. Dreams occur during this time, and rapid eye movements are noticeable to observers. The frequency and duration of stages three and four sleep during the night determine whether a person awakens rested or feeling groggy the next day.

Achieving levels three and four during the sleep cycle nightly is an important factor in overall health and the ability to function. Lifestyle choices, daily stresses, and other variables may interfere with a person’s ability to enjoy deep, refreshing sleep. However, there are a few easy steps that can improve the quality of their sleep.

Wind down the mind

One of the biggest problems impacting sleep quality is the

body’s response to stress. The “fight-or-flight” mechanism pumps the bloodstream full of adrenalin, which creates a heightened state of alertness. People who bring work challenges home, who have relational problems, or who feel they are on the losing end of a life battle tend to live in an adrenalin-stoked state. These people need to learn to release the thoughts that keep them in battleready condition before going to bed.

Interestingly, watching television is not an effective method of relaxing the mind. It has a hypnotic effect on the viewer but doesn’t turn off obsessive, stressful thoughts. A better soporific is reading, and the more fact-based the material, the better. Nonfiction material demands the reader’s complete focus to digest and analyze the content. The human brain can’t focus on one set of ideas and obsess on another, so reading thought-

provoking material takes the mind off things that create anxieties.

Exercise

Feeling refreshed every morning should be a key motivator to exercise daily. There are two reasons a half-hour of fairly vigorous exercise helps with sleep. First, physical activity fatigues muscles, so the body demands a rest period. Second, exercise raises body temperature. Studies show that animals and humans become sleepy when body temperatures rise slightly. One test put alligators into a bath of warm water and compared the behavior to that of control alligators swimming in ambient temperature water. The alligators in the warm water consistently drifted off to sleep after a few minutes.

However, exercise should not be done just before going to bed. Most people are stimulated immediately following an exercise period. The relaxation and fatigue set in a few hours later.

50-70

Take a warm bath or shower

Much like the alligators mentioned above, humans also exhibit a relaxation response when they are surrounded with warm water. A warm bath, shower, or hot tub session can be an extremely good tranquilizer.

Take melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland. It is released in greater

amounts during periods of darkness and seems associated with establishing circadian rhythms in mammals. In fur-bearing mammals, for example, melatonin triggers winter coat growth and hibernation. In humans, melatonin has successfully offset jet lag and is used to help blind persons sleep at night. Used occasionally, a 3mg dose of melatonin advances the sleep cycle and induces stage two of the sleep cycle quickly. Melatonin in tablet form is available over the counter as a dietary supplement.

These remedies are useful in dealing with occasional insomnia. Chronic sleeplessness indicates the need for medical or psychological intervention. Sleep apnea, an over- or under-active thyroid, fibromyalgia, and other physical conditions also affect quality of sleep, as do clinical depression and bipolar disorder. For sleeplessness that lasts more than a few days, it’s best to consult a medical professional.

MILLION The estimated number of American employees who report being impaired during the day due to poor sleep

SADNESS IS NOT DEPRESSION

5 TIPS FOR TELLING THE DIFFERENCE

WRITER: CARLTON RYAN

To some people, any mental discomfort, melancholy, or downbeat mood is a major indicator of a more serious mental condition—depression. However, this is a wrong, and and maybe even dangerous, attitude to take. While depression is certainly a serious matter and should not be discounted, that doesn’t mean ordinary sadness doesn’t exist as well.

Clearly, knowing how to tell the difference between normal sadness and clinical depression is vital. Guessing or assuming is a bad idea. Here are the five best ways to differentiate simple sadness from actual depression.

1. Depression lasts a long time

Experiencing sadness in the face of loss and adversity is not only normal but also healthy. A person should feel sad if, for example, a loved one dies. Such feelings are only a sign of trouble if they are seriously prolonged, for weeks, months, or even longer. Otherwise, negative moods and downbeat feelings are simply part of the normal emotional ebb and flow of life.

2. Depression is all encompassing

Those who are under the thrall of major depression are generally unable to enjoy any aspect of life. While emotional ups and downs are normal, feeling bad every moment of every day is a bad sign. Constant, unyielding negative thoughts and feelings are some of the biggest signs of depression. People who are often depressed feel they cannot escape that mental darkness for even a few moments.

3. Depression is marked by an extremely negative outlook

Individuals gripped by clinical depression are typically excessively pessimistic about life, to the point of irrationality. A person who is continuously unable to see any bright side to any aspect of life is most likely depressed. On a personal level, depressed people often feel they are worthless and bad and their situation is hopeless.

4. Depression is life altering

One of the biggest signs of depression is major changes in behavior. Sufferers of clinical depression often completely lose interest in hobbies and pursuits that once engrossed them. They may struggle to perform basic daily tasks. An apparent incapacity to deal with the problems presented by life can be a strong indicator of depression.

5. Depression is associated with a variety of other problems

For example, persistent fatigue, lack of energy, and mental fog are all signs of the disorder. Problems with sleep—from insomnia to trouble going to or staying asleep—are another big sign, as is major changes in weight. Thoughts of suicide and suicide attempts are the most serious signs of depression. However, it is important to emphasize each of these symptoms can be a sign of depression, but none are definitive proof of it.

Luckily, depression, as serious as it is, can be positively addressed. There are many forms of treatment available today, from drugs to talk therapy. That’s why understanding the differences between major depression and more ordinary negative feelings is so important. Those who do find good evidence of depression in their lives should, of course, seek help promptly.

SPIRIT

“Be still and cool in thine own mind and spirit..”

— George Fox

to stop worrying today

WRITER: EMILY BASIL

Although worrying about some things is perfectly natural, constant anxiety drains your strength and stands in the way of accomplishing goals. If worrying has become excessive and is causing you distress, take action right now with these proven techniques.

Call a timeout

First, if you feel yourself losing control, stop everything for a minute. Sit down in a quiet room, close your eyes, take deep breaths, and try to calm yourself. Inhale slowly through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Try visualizing a pleasant scene or repeating a comforting phrase. Physically relax your muscles, starting with your feet and working your way up to your head.

Make a game plan

Next, divide and conquer your list of worries. Rationally analyze them one at a time. Look for patterns. Do you procrastinate before deadlines or leave crucial elements undone until the last minute? Are you making promises without appraising the difficulty of following through? Come up with a game plan to address these problems and resolve them. Ask for help if you need to, but focus on fixing the issues causing your stress.

Clear the air

It’s amazing how many problems can easily be solved by better communication. Whether it’s a conversation with your boss, your friend, or your spouse, it’s always better to address concerns one on one, rather than worrying unproductively alone. This is especially true if worries are relationship based. Don’t be confrontational or pick a fight—try to calmly and assertively talk through conflicts.

Think positively

When you feel a negative series of thoughts beginning to form, stop them short by reminding yourself of something positive. For example, if you’re worrying about a social event, recall all of the positive events you’ve had in the past. Psychologists say people disproportionately recall negative events more than positive ones, causing us to unfairly predict the worst. When you’re stuck in a worry rut over a fear of the future, think of specific, positive memories to bring yourself back to reality.

A little worry can be helpful

Even worrying itself can have its positive side. After all, without some worry or concern, very little would probably get accomplished. Be grateful for the butterflies you feel in your stomach because they keep you alert and on your toes. Harness the energy you currently spend worrying and direct it toward reaching your goals.

Consider the worst

Sometimes the easiest way to minimize your worrying is to ask yourself, “What’s the worst that can happen?” In most cases, even the worst possible scenario isn’t that bad, just embarrassing or inconvenient. Even when the imagined scenario is dire, such as illness or death, you can better face your fears once you have accurately articulated them. And, of course, the

worst-case scenario isn’t necessarily the most realistic or likely one.

Simplify yourlife

If you find yourself worrying too much about many different things, perhaps it’s time to reexamine your lifestyle. You can’t avoid the stresses of work and family, but ask yourself if you’re also taking on more than you can handle. Are hobbies, social groups, or other obligations giving you more worry than they’re worth? This is especially true with supposed leisure activities that cost a lot of money or friendships that no longer bring you joy.

Let go of control

Finally, in cases where all the worrying in the world won’t help, your best course of action is trying to let go of the thoughts completely. Remember your limitations. When a negative, anxietycausing thought enters your head, redirect your thoughts immediately. If you’re struggling with this, distract yourself with something more uplifting. Exercising, working on a favorite hobby, or learning something new will keep your brain too busy to dwell on things beyond your control.

Don’t let worrying take over your life. Try these methods first, and seek professional help when necessary. Stress, anxiety, and worry are a normal part of life, but shouldn’t get in the way of living.

7 ACTIONABLE STEPS BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE

Don’t let poor self-esteem keep you from achieving your dreams. Instead, take control of your life by taking small, actionable steps toward a more confident future.

WRITER: MARGIE TAYLOR

1 Prepare

Preparation is key. If you start with a plan, there’s a better chance of success.

First, pinpoint your current confidence level but don’t get bogged down in details. Give yourself a quick score based on a 10-point scale. Take into account your accomplishments, strengths, and areas you’d like to improve.

Next, decide what level of confidence you’d like to achieve. Remind yourself what’s important, and commit to making life changes to build your self-confidence. Document everything in a journal and refer to it as needed.

2 Start small

Building self-confidence is going to take time. Start by picking one small goal to accomplish and then do it. You’ll feel good about meeting your objective. Choose another slightly more challenging goal and accomplish it. Again, you’ll feel better.

Now, scale it up. As your confidence improves, pick more challenging goals. You’ll build momentum and your selfconfidence will begin to blossom.

3 Avoid negative self-talk

Pay attention to internal messages you’re sending yourself. When you find you’re thinking negatively, stop and replace the negative thoughts with positive ones. This may be difficult at first but becomes easier with practice.

An example would be if you’re trying to lose weight and catch yourself thinking that healthy eating isn’t working. Maybe you’re saying, “It takes too long. I’m going to be fat forever.”

Stop this thought. It might be helpful to visualize crushing it. Imagine pounding it with a baseball bat or squashing it with your fist. After you’ve crushed it, replace it with a positive thought. Say, “I can lose two pounds this week. I know I can.” Eventually, your self-talk becomes more positive with less effort.

4 Concentrate on solutions

Don’t focus on problems; focus on solutions. You’ll kill the negativity that accompanies problems, trading negative thoughts for positive ones.

When faced with a problem, seek a solution. For example, if you and your spouse are arguing a lot, it’s best to ask yourself how you can solve this problem. This question will turn your thinking around and force you to take the focus off of the arguments and onto ways to stop fighting.

There’s a solution to every problem. You just have to find it.

5 Learn

Increase your knowledge about your job, family, friends, hobbies, and life in general.

If you have a job interview, learn everything you can about the company. If you’re working on your people skills, study psychology. If your teenager is giving you a hard time, read up on adolescence and behavior management.

If you go into a situation knowledgeable, you’ll feel more confident, and that confidence will show.

6

Do something you do well

Do something you’re good at every day. Fold clothes, color a picture, or cook a meal. Improving yourself is a noteworthy aspiration, but it also can be exhausting. Doing something you’re familiar with and do well is refreshing and will keep you going on those days you want to quit.

7 Practice

If you’re going to a party, practice making small talk in your bathroom mirror. If you’re working on making better eye contact, practice on strangers at the grocery store. You may feel silly at first, but before long, it’ll become second nature.

Self-confidence is a mindset that must be learned and practiced before it is mastered. It isn’t acquired overnight and takes determination to maintain. However, once you’ve mastered it, your life will never be the same.

PRESENTS

saturday, october 22nd, 6:00p.m. -10:00p.m.

come join us for a night of food, music, games and fun!

get your photo taken with the General Lee

ribs and Fixins will be served!

$75 per person

benefits go to:

reception by:live music:

sponsors:

partnering media:

MAGAZINE

sponsorships available… call dondi: 352-455-1727

for event information

352-551-5209

ruthhouseevents@gmail.com

FINANCE

“I believe through knowledge and discipline, financial peace is possible for all of us.”

— Dave Ramsey

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

There’s nothing quite like having fresh fruits and vegetables for meals, but getting high-quality produce at decent prices can be a nightmare. Most people don’t want to sacrifice their health for the sake of saving money, but this can easily seem the only option. Luckily, there are several ways to save money on fresh produce.

See a great deal? Buy in bulk and freeze or can produce

There’s always at least one or two sales going on in the produce section, and you’re likely to spot something you like at reduced prices. However, buying in bulk may mean rotting fruits and vegetables, not to mention wasted money. Reap the benefits of these good sales by freezing and canning vegetables and fruits. This allows them to last much longer than they would in your refrigerator. However, remember to can foods properly, as canning them improperly can lead to food poisoning and botulism.

Vacuum seal produce

If you want to preserve the flavor of vegetables and fruit, but would rather not freeze or can them, consider vacuumsealing them instead. Vacuum-sealing keeps vegetables and fruits in an air-tight container, allowing them to stay fresh in the pantry or refrigerator for much longer than they would in open air. This process also doesn’t reduce freshness or flavor. The only downside is that produce doesn’t last nearly as long in vacuumsealed containers as they do when frozen or canned.

Don’t just buy produce in stores

The grocery store isn’t your only option for buying produce. Farmer’s markets and roadside stands are excellent places to find a wide variety of fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices.

Many of these sellers have products grown locally, ensuring the freshest produce possible. Not only do you get delicious produce, you also help local farmers and other small businesses, which builds the local economy.

Grow your own fruits and veggies

Having a garden can also save money on fruits and vegetables. One packet of seeds costs between $1 and $5, and the resulting plant could yield a harvest worth much more. However, weigh the cost and benefits when planting anything for the sake of saving money. Many fruits and vegetables need specific care and climates to grow well. You might end up spending more money on

maintaining the plant than you would buying produce. Some of the more popular and cost-effective options are tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, and strawberries.

Trade with friends

Did you get a big tomato crop from your garden this season? Did you buy a lot of one item in bulk? Trading with friends who also have gardens and greenhouses, and searching for good deals will also provide ways to save.

Buy in-season produce

Fruits and vegetables in season tend to be less expensive than those out of season. They have a shorter distance to travel, making production and transportation cheaper for the farmer and the store, which typically makes the price lower. Buying produce out of season also mean fruits and vegetables are bland and not fresh.

Fruits and veggies about to expire? Use

them!

If you have produce on the cusp of expiring, try to find a use for them before they begin to rot. Some popular uses include making vegetable soup or stock out of them. If the fruits and vegetables are too far gone to eat safely, there’s still a way to prevent them from being wasted. Toss any slightly spoiled or rotten produce in a compost heap, which can later fertilize your lawn, or you can use it in your garden to help grow even more vegetables.

With smart shopping, ingenuity, and effort, you can save hundreds of dollars every year. You don’t even have to worry about leftover and rotting produce ending up as wasted cash, as long as you are creative or have a compost heap. You can enjoy healthy and delicious produce year-round without wasting a dollar.

Getting fresh produce on a regular basis doesn’t have to strain your wallet. With smart shopping, ingenuity, and effort, you can save hundreds of dollars every year.

SNIP, SNIP, CLIP!

Are coupons the best way to save on groceries?

If you are tired of having high grocery bills and looking for a great way to save money on your food and other items, you are not alone. Feeding a family of four can easily cost you $150 or more each week. If you’re looking for realistic solutions to decrease your grocery bill each week, clipping coupons may not be the best option.

Finding the lowest price

When you want the lowest price on products at the grocery store, you may think that you need to break out the calculator to determine the price

per ounce, item, or another unit of measurement, but that’s not the case. This work is already done for you. Just read the price labels more closely when shopping. Typically, the smaller number on the price label, usually in the corner, gives you the price per unit of measurement. You may find the product you have a coupon for is not the most affordable. Do the math to determine if the savings from your coupons is the best overall deal.

Using grocery store incentives

Another way to save money is using store incentives. For example, some

have special savings cards that let you rack up points or get special products at a discount. Although they may not be the products your coupons are for, they may be the best price. If they are the same products, your coupon provides additional savings.

In some cases, the best deal on a product is a regularly low-priced item. In other cases, coupons, incentives, or a combination of both of them will give you the best overall deal. When you explore all options more carefully, you can determine which products have the lowest prices and make informed buying decisions.

A TURN OF EVENTS

WRITER: JAMES COMBS

At the Sunnyland Antique and Classic Boat Festival, the sun shines down on the sleek wooden boats displayed in water and on land, stretching as far as the eye can see. At Leesburg Bikefest, the sound of roaring motorcycles is heard for miles as leather-clad men and bikini-wearing women turn the streets of downtown Leesburg into a weekend-long party.

At the Lake County Folk Festival, musicians perform on eight stages and electrify audiences with the beautiful sounds of acoustic guitars, soft melodies, pounding percussions, twangy bluegrass, and old-fashioned harmony gospel.

These are just a few of the sights and sounds from the spectacular festivals held in Lake County throughout the year. If you ask 10 Lake County residents why they enjoy living here, I’ll guarantee you’ll receive this answer from at least six of them:

“We’re centrally located and within easy driving distance to major attractions, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean.”

Fair enough. That’s certainly one of the perks our area offers. But I’d probably answer the question a little differently. For me, it’s the annual festivals and events that draw thousands of people to our area. In fact, that might be the most grossly overlooked and underrated aspect as to what makes living in Lake County great.

From October through April, organizers, board members, and

volunteers burn the midnight oil and give up their family and social lives to make these events as fun-filled and spectacular as possible. There’s always something happening in each Lake County town, and the events and festivals satisfy diverse interests from bicyclists and motorcyclists to art enthusiasts and gardening enthusiasts.

Some are nationally recognized.

• The Leesburg Bikefest is the world’s largest three-day motorcycle festival and typically attracts 250,000 people.

• The Mount Dora Arts Festival is one of the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States and draws 300,000 people.

• The Sunnyland Antique and Classic Boat Festival in Tavares is the largest antique and classic boat show on America’s East Coast.

If you do not attend local events and festivals, you have no idea what you’re missing. Here’s a listing of some area events that will be happening from October 2016 through April 2017. I apologize in advance for leaving some out, but I do not have adequate space to include everything. Our sister publication, Lake and Sumter Style, provides a detailed “To-Do List” each month so readers can discover what events are happening in and around Lake County. Please pick up a copy of the magazine or visit www.lakeandsumterstyle.com.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2016

Oct. 8-9 // Eustis

19th Annual Lake County Folk Festival

Oct. 9-11// Mt. Dora

42nd Annual Bicycle Festival

Oct. 14-16 // Tavares

5th Annual Wings & Wildflowers Festival

Oct. 22-23 // Mt. Dora

32nd Annual Craft Fair

Nov. 3 // Clermont Taste of South Lake and Business Expo

Nov. 5-6 // Clermont

Downtown Clermont Art Festival

Nov. 12-13 // Mt. Dora

22nd Annual Mt. Dora Plant & Garden Fair

Nov. 26 // Eustis

Eustis Classic Car Cruise-In

Dec. 10-11

6th Annual Wine and Chocolate Festival

2017

Jan. 7-8 // Bushnell Dade Battlefield Reenactment

Jan. 28-29 // Lady Lake Art in the Park

Feb. 4-5 // Mt. Dora

42nd Annual Mount Dora Arts Festival

Feb. 18 // Leesburg

Leesburg Mardi Gras Party in the Street

March 10-12 // Clermont Pig on the Pond

March 18-19 // Mt. Dora

Mount Dora Spring Collectibles & Art Show

March 24-26 // Tavares

Sunnyland Antique and Classic Boat Festival

April 22 // Tavares

Planes, Trains, and BBQ

April 28-30 // Leesburg

Leesburg Bikefest

- Kathi Schue

“When questions remained after my mammogram, Lake Medical Imaging used SenoBright to light up a tumor too small to feel. No one else in Florida had this technology and I just happened to move here.

I to move here. second chance at life.

All the sacrifices they make to bring the latest diagnostic advances to their patients is appreciated more than they will ever know. They gave me a second chance at life.”

Read more of Kathi’s story at lakemedicalimaging.com

Improving Your Image for 50 Years

*The American College of Radiology and American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists continue to recommend mammography screenings at age 40 and continuing annually.

Kathi J. Schue and Dr. Cathrine Keller

DR. MARK ROTHSCHILD

DR. VATSAL INAMDAR

ERICA HARDEN, ARNP

BRYAN CARTER, MPA-C

DR. GEORG COUTURIER

SCOTT WOJCIECHOWSKI, PA

5K Run/Walk

Join Florida Hospital Waterman for the 3rd Annual Pink Out 5k Run/Walk. Proceeds help promote breast cancer awareness, diagnosis and treatment including mammograms for women in need.

Our First EveningSunset Run/Walk!

Thursday, October 13

Wooton Park

Tavares, FL 32778

REGISTRATION & PACKET PICK-UP

Wednesday, October 12 at hospital main entrance: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Day of 5K Run/Walk at Wooton Park: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Race start: 6:00 p.m. Awards ceremony: 7:15 p.m.

ENTRY FEES:

Youth 17 and under: $20 | Adults 18 and over: $25 | Day of Race (check/cash only): $30