Page 11 - Stuart Exposure - December '23

Stuart Exposure, Page 11

Cleveland CliniC Martin HealtH news

After Beating Cancer, her breath, and a rapid heartbeat. When a physician friend “When you catch colon cancer early and treat it early, there

Stephanie Tufano Is Racing recommended Stephanie make an appointment to have is a good chance you can cure it,” Dr. Castro-Combs said.
bloodwork done, she considered putting it off.

Following her diagnosis and surgery, Stephanie’s life
Toward Optimum Health “I figured I was healthy, I was an athlete and ate a plant- returned to normal. “Had I not listened to my body and took
based diet,” she said. the time to get checked out, I might have gone another six
Stephanie Tufano will But Stephanie decided to take her friend’s advice. Her months to a year as the tumor kept growing,” she said.
never forget the day she bloodwork showed she was very anemic, so she made an Since her experience with cancer, Stephanie married her
was diagnosed with Stage appointment to see Juan Castro-Combs, M.D., a Cleveland husband, Chris, and gave birth to their son the following year.
2 colorectal cancer. At the Clinic Martin Health gastroenterologist. After having a She is grateful to Dr. Castro-Combs for finding and curing
time, she was a certified colonoscopy, Stephanie received the shocking news. her cancer. “Dr. Castro was wonderful,” she said.
running coach and health “I had a tumor in my colon the size of a cue ball,” she said. Stephanie also feels fortunate to have been given the
coach and was working “I didn’t know what to expect. It was a scary time.” opportunity to be a wife and mother and to continue to pursue
towards certification as a Dr. Castro-Combs said Stephanie’s case was unusual. “She her passion of running and helping others achieve a healthy
personal trainer with the was fit and healthy and had no family history of colon cancer.” lifestyle.
National Academy of Sports Stephanie was also only 38 years old; 90 percent of Cleveland Clinic Martin Health provides patients with
Medicine. She was also colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in individuals 50 years the compassionate, comprehensive care they deserve, close
training to run in her second of age and older. to home. Visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org to learn more.
ultramarathon. Once the tumor was removed by a Cleveland Clinic Martin
It was during her marathon training that Stephanie started Health surgeon, Stephanie received a clean bill of health. She
experiencing “weird” stomach pains, difficulty catching did not require chemotherapy or any further treatment. Stuart Chamber Happenings from page 10

library news

Sandra Thurlow House of Refuge: Home of History. She has also been

To Be Honored At 2024 involved in various historical preservation and education
initiatives, such as the Stuart Heritage Museum, the Elliott
Kiplinger Luncheon Museum, and the Historical Society of Martin County.
“Sandra Thurlow is a treasure of our community
The Library and a champion of literacy. Her books and lectures have
Foundation of Martin enriched our understanding of our past and inspired our From left, Suzanne Adams, The Grace Place; Sam Wilton
County is pleased to appreciation of our present. We are proud to recognize her and Kherri Anderson, Supervisor of Elections office; and
announce that Sandra with the 2024 Kiplinger Literacy Award,” said Michael Tammy Crandell, JournaVenture Travel & Tours enjoyed their
Thurlow, a renowned Kenny, chief executive officer of the Library Foundation salads before the featured presentations at the Stuart/Martin
local historian and author, of Martin County. County Chamber’s November Business at Lunch, sponsored
will be honored at the The Kiplinger Literacy Award Luncheon will be held at by Comcast Business at Martin Downs Golf Club.
Kiplinger Literacy Award Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club in Palm City. The
luncheon on Monday, event will feature a keynote speech by Knight Kiplinger
Jan. 22, 2024, at Harbour and the presentation of the award to Thurlow. Tickets and
Ridge Yacht and Country sponsorships are available at the Library Foundation of
Club in Palm City. Martin County website.
The Kiplinger Literacy Award, named after the The Library Foundation of Martin County is a
distinguished journalist and publisher Knight Kiplinger, nonprofit organization that supports the Martin County
recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary Library System. For more information, visit www.
contributions to the promotion of literacy and the love of libraryfoundationmc.org or call (772) 221-1409.
reading in Martin County.
Thurlow has written and coauthored several books on
the history and culture of Martin County and the Treasure
Coast, such as Sewall’s Point: The History of a Peninsular
Community on Florida’s Treasure Coast, Historic Jensen
and Eden on Florida’s Indian River, and Gilbert’s Bar Stuart/Martin County Chamber members were informed on
the advanced technologies provided by Comcast Business,
as well as their growing community involvement, as they
sponsored the November Business at Lunch at Martin Downs
EVERY SUNDAY Golf Club. Shown, from left, are Brad Scannapieco and
Rachael Bonlarron, Comcast; Chamber Chairwoman/Trustee
9AM-2PM Dr. Lisa Grassam-Smith, Grassam Spine & Wellness Center;
Donny Lu, Comcast; and Peter Alvarez, Effectv.
FLAGLER PARK Stuart/Martin County
Chamber Chairwoman/
Trustee Dr. Lisa Grassam-
•FRESH PRODUCE Smith, Grassam Spine &
•LIVE MUSIC Wellness Center, left, thanked
Lynne Barletta, Visionary
•MOBILE CRAFT BAR Church for presenting

•KIDS MARKET the very important topic
of human trafficking in an
(First & third Sunday of every month) informative, yet sensitive
Operated by Stuart Main Street
manner at the November
Business at Lunch, sponsored
Fresh Local Produce & Honey by Comcast Business at
Organic Eggs, Beef, Seafood & Poultry Martin Downs Golf Club.
Household Plants & Florals
Homemade Cheeses John and Sandy Casey,
Spices & Sauces Casey Team at Home
Freshly Baked Breads & Tasty Treats Sales showed off their
Pottery, Art & Home Décor Operation Thank You goody
bag at the Stuart/Martin
Handcrafted Jewelry & Accessories County Chamber’s Kickoff
Pet Items BE A PART OF Breakfast, held on Nov. 6

A market for growers, crafters, artists & other creators SOMETHING at the chamber. Special
FRESH!
thanks to the bag sponsor
MidFlorida Credit Union
and other sponsors 2J Data
772-285-0502 | stuartmainstreet.org/market and All Area Roofing.
Stuart Main Street is a 501c3 non-profit focused on promoting the Historic Downtown.