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An Education in Fortitude

Breast Cancer Patient Discusses the Lessons Her Journey Has Taught Her story by TIM CRAIG photos by MICHAEL WILSON Three truths have become readily apparent to Cyntrena Gregory over the past 11 months. Gregory, from Winter Haven, first felt a slight lump in her breast in late 2020, but didn’t really take serious note…
Pop Quiz: ADHD Is On the Tip of Everyone’s Tongue, but What Is It?

There are few childhood conditions more discussed these days than ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood, and it can last into adulthood. Get the facts about ADHD by taking our pop quiz. 1.) What are common signs and symptoms of ADHD in childhood? Forgetting or losing things…
Determination & Dreams

Polk State Respiratory Care Student Works Hard to Reach Her Goals by PAUL CATALA Shaledra Turner says it was her “best friend” who motivated her to work hard, focus, study and strive for success in life. That “best friend” was Turner’s grandmother Doris Wade. And even though she died in December 2014, her words of…

The “Ripe” Time for Cataract Surgery

Whenever I tell a patient that he or she has cataracts they immediately ask if they need to have surgery. We start thinking about cataract surgery whenever the patient’s quality of life is affected. Common complaints include, “I can’t read road signs,” or “I can’t read the writing on TV,” or “I can’t read small…
A Cautionary Tale for Frequent Biting, Grinding, or Clenching

Biting and chewing your food. It’s something we do every day and without thinking. That’s why when most people have biting issues— where they bite the inside tissue of their mouth— they usually don’t think beyond the few minutes of pain and discomfort it causes. However, frequent biting (as well as grinding and clenching) can…
Oral Cancer Awareness Month

The month of April is considered National Oral Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers in the United States for 2019 show that about 53,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer and an estimated 10,860 will die of these cancers. Lip and…