In 2008, New York City mom Lenore Skenazy was shopping with her 9 year-old son. They rode the subway, and that day he begged her to let him ride home alone. Ms. Skenazy decided it was time for some independence and let him. He …
This week's guest columnists are Drs. Brian Allen and Chris Fontenot, Family Practice residents at University Hospital and Clinics here in Lafayette. Winter- the season of holidays, travel, and people congregating indoors. Friends…
One of last year's fun news stories was a 911 call from a man whose cat wouldn't let him in his house. After a three hour stand off, and after the police and 911 operator finished laughing themselves silly, an officer was…
This week's guest columnist is Dr. Seth Koster, a Family Practice resident at the University Hospital and Clinics here in Lafayette. Is your child "bouncing off the walls" or "just won't listen?" Pediatricians and family…
It's tough to care for friends. My friend Jennifer had delivered her third baby. My patient was baby Julia, who had a rough start, needing oxygen for the first days of life. Jennifer was exhausted from labor, delivery, and…
Dave was the quarterback for my college fraternity's football team. Though it was flag football, Dave got knocked down a lot, and several times hit his head on the ground. For days he would act confused, repeat questions over…
My wife's nephew Jordan had colic bad. In his first months of life he cried non-stop, only quieting in his swing. His mom was so frazzled from fatigue and frustration that when my wife offered to babysit for a weekend, she ran…
My brother-in-law was in a bar on a cruise ship. A woman from "coal-mining country" liked him so much she exclaimed, "Ain't you pretty- you got all your teeth!" Teeth are important for good looks, and good health. Listen to…
My father-in-law, Howard Fournet, grew up on a farm during the Great Depression. The farmhouse was on Johnston St. (a gravel road then) in Lafayette, where the Albertson's now stands. The University of Louisiana's athletic…
This week's guest columnist is Dr. Chad Mathews, a Family Practice resident at the University Hospital and Clinics here in Lafayette. Kids get a lot of bloody noses. While they're usually only a mild inconvenience, nosebleeds…
It was a mystery to mom: her 10 year-old, autistic boy suddenly was rubbing his eyes and crying. When she pried his hands away, she saw that his eyes were red with swollen lids, and he obviously hurt. Was it allergies? Did pink…
This week's guest columnist is Dr. Marc Fernandez, a Family Practice resident at the University Hospital and Clinics here in Lafayette. Bumps, scrapes, and bruises can be found on the scalp of any active child, some so much they…