KidneyTalk - An Online Radio Show By Renal Support Network

Lori and Cher, both kidney transplant recipients, have dealt with kidney disease for the majority of their lives. They also share a deep respect for the environment. Listen in to hear some tips, and what they have learned from their experiences with recycling medical and dialysis supplies and medications.

When you are in high school the list of things to worry about usually include getting good grades and getting the chance to talk to your crush, not kidney disease. Lori sits down with the RSN Administrative Coordinator, Isela King, who was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy while in high school to talk about what it was like to be diagnosed at a young age, her experience volunteering at the Renal Teen...

If itching is causing you discomfort or keeping you up a night, this show is for you! Itchy skin, medically referred to as pruritus, is a common and often distressing condition. The uncomfortable sensation can range from a mild annoyance to a severe, incessant itch, leading to scratching that may exacerbate the issue. Managing pruritus often involves identifying the underlying cause before finding...

Have you ever had a surprise medical bill? One where you do not even recognize the name of the doctor? The No Surprises Act is here to protect you. Patricia Kelmar, a consumer protection advocate, explains what you need to know about unexpected medical bills and steps you can take to protect yourself. Listen in to hear what to look out for, how to respond and who to call if you need help.

People who have kidney disease often complain about itching. This can be a medical condition called Pruritus. Some people have a such a severe itch that it keeps them up at night. If this sounds like you or someone you love, listen in to this show to hear Nephrology Nurse Practitioner Kristin Larson MSN, RN, AGNP-BC, CNN talk about what might be causing it what treatments exist to get some relief.

Music Producer, artist David Rush was diagnosed with kidney failure and doctors told him that he would need a kidney transplant or dialysis to survive. That is when he decided to take matters into his own hands and use his platform as a music artist and producer to raise awareness for kidney disease, home dialysis and organ donation. Rush teamed up with Pitbull to create a song called All Night wh...

Making decisions about kidney failure treatment options can be daunting. Your lifestyle and other considerations play a huge part in the evaluation process. Where do you start? In this podcast, Lori and Dori Schatell, Executive Director at Medical Education Institute (MEI), discuss a new tool that can help you decide which treatment best suits your needs.

In this episode, Lori is joined by Dr. Meredith Stensland, Assistant Professor of Research in Psychology at The University of Texas Health Science at San Antonio. Dr. Stensland talks about her research on pet therapy in dialysis centers and the benefits that both patients and staff can experience with this service. Puppy love is contagious, so cuddle up with your furry friend and listen along!

People on dialysis spend a lot of time interacting with their social workers. These professionals are in the perfect position to help people learn more about kidney transplantation and the evaluation process at a transplant center. Anna Rutherford, MSW, a dialysis social worker, and Lori discuss what is involved and clue you in on things you may want and need to know.

Deciding to be a living kidney donor comes with considerations like job stability and earning a paycheck, yet they shouldn™t be obstacles. Dr. John Gill, MS, shares how the American Society of Transplantations Living Donor Circle of Excellence can remove this barrier by educating companies on how they play a role in this decision. Their unique program paves the way for corporate discussions and pl...

Dawn Edwards is a 31-year kidney-disease survivor who has served her peers and the community as a mentor and educator for more than 25 years. Today she talks to Lori Hartwell, also a long-time kidney-disease survivor, about her journey from her diagnosis to the current day as she works toward undergoing a kidney transplant. Listen in to learn how kidney care has evolved and how both of these power...

Nathan Gutierrez was born with the physical disability spina bifida. He has been restricted to a wheelchair since birth. The disease led to kidney failure to transplantation, yet he never let his disability interfere with his amazing accomplishments. He shares with Lori how he came to understand how his challenges are not who he is and how he has been able to live the life he was meant to live. Li...

Anyssa Dang authored the book so her younger brother could understand what he is going through. Kidneys for Kids helps kids who are diagnosed with kidney disease (and their siblings) understand what the doctors are telling them about their condition and helps them process their feelings. Listen in to learn how this book can empower children living with kidney disease diagnoses.

Home dialysis nurses educate their patients about how to safely do their treatments at home and overcome the barriers and fears associated with taking on their own care. Learn what the day is like for a nurse and why their job is so rewarding. Casey Shuler, RN, talks about what inspired her to pursue a career in the field of kidney care and why she is so passionate about it. You may just want to j...

Dialysis social workers are the lifeline to those dealing with the emotional, financial, and transportation demands of kidney disease. Anna Rutherford, LMSW, is Senior Manager of Social Work Services at Fresenius Kidney Care. She is dedicated to helping her patients cope, adjust, and reach the goals they set for themselves to realize their best quality of life. Listen in as she talks about her rol...

For everyone, food is the number one topic! What to eat? The renal diet is complicated, and it changes throughout the different stages of kidney disease. A renal dietitian can make a big difference to people who are either struggling with, or are new to a renal diet. Anne Moselle, MS, RD, CHWC, shares how she helps people get excited about the foods that can help them have good outcomes and mainta...

Thirty years ago, John Larsen entered the dialysis healthcare field and never looked back. As a Patient Care Technician (PCT), John lives on the front lines at the dialysis clinic where he works. From start to finish, PCTs play an essential role at dialysis treatment centers. They spend a great deal of quality time with their patients and have a unique opportunity to develop special relationships...

For Molly Reehl, CDN, working as a technician was the first step in a career in dialysis. She loved caring for patients and felt valued by them, and she wanted to provide them with more care. To fulfill her dream to become a dialysis nurse, Molly worked full-time while attending school and raising a family. She remains passionate about providing care for patients, and her future has no limits. Lis...

When caring for patients over the course of several years, nephrologists often get the opportunity to develop relationships with them. The experience is a lot like family, says Michael Kraus, MD, Associate Chief Medical Officer at Fresenius Kidney Care. Tune in as he talks with Lori about what attracted him to the rewarding career of kidney care. He will share the details of the typical workday of...

Discussion about transplants and urinary tract infections.

Lori and Dr. Kam Kalantar-Zadeh, Professor of Medicine and Public Health at UC Irvine School of Medicine, discuss each stage and what you can to help delay the progression of the illness.

Listen in as Edmund Lawler, a journalism teacher and author, tells Lori the story of one extraordinary visionary in the world of medical science. More than seven decades ago, Edmunds great uncle, Dr. Richard Lawler, reached beyond the science of his time to perform the first human kidney transplant ever in this country. It was June 17, 1950, when Dr. Lawler performed the groundbreaking surgery. Le...

Does thinking about dinner make you want to turn and run to the nearest greasy spoon? Lori and Caitlin Harris, RD, know cooking can be daunting when you have kidney disease. Let them give you the scoop on how they make cooking fun, fast and fabulous! Their joy is contagious as they share how making even small changes in how you think about food can mean big payoffs for your taste buds and your hea...

When you have kidney disease people who stay ahead of the game do the best. At any given time, close to 40 percent of people on the UNOS kidney transplant list are inactive. Lori and Lazaro Cherem, MD, discuss why patients become inactive and what you need to do to make sure your status is current, so you do not miss a kidney offer. A kidney transplant is not a cure and requires ongoing monitoring...

Germs seize every opportunity to invade your body. The infections that follow can endanger your life, especially if you have kidney disease. Bloodstream Infections are one of the leading causes of death for people on dialysis. Listen in as Lori and Crystal Grate, RN, CNN, Director of Infection Prevention at Fresenius Medical Care, discuss the warning signs and what actions to take if you suspect y...