KidneyTalk - An Online Radio Show By Renal Support Network

People on dialysis sometimes require rehabilitation in a skilled nursing home as they recuperate from surgery, medical emergencies or are unable to care for themselves. When this happens, they have to travel from their nursing facility to a dialysis clinic which can interrupt their recovery. Lori and Alice Hellebrand, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Dialyze Direct, discuss the option of dialyzing in...

When you are an infant, the last thing you need is a new heart. But that is exactly what Trent Sullivan, aka, Sully, needed when he was just 5 months old. He got one, but it would not be his only transplant. At age 18, he needed a new kidney, as well. Lori sits down with this Walking Miracle to find out what kept him going throughout his early years and what he does now to enjoy the life he was gi...

Walk into a store this time of year and you can bet you will see the glittering holiday dcor on display. But how long will you have to search to find the gifts that your friends with kidney disease will truly appreciate? Sit back and relax as your personal shopping guides Lori Hartwell and Cher Thomas discuss what items they would like to see wrapped up this holiday season just waiting to please t...

It is important to incentivize new therapies so companies will invest and bring products to market. Kathy Lester, JD, MPH, talks with Lori about how Medicare is working to create policies to spark innovation. About 90 percent of people on dialysis have access to Medicare. But ESRD treatment options only become available when payment is available to support them. When funding is not available, new...

Should you change your diet when you are first diagnosed with any early stage of kidney disease? What foods can contribute to kidney disease or help maintain your existing kidney function? How can understanding your lab values help? Registered dietitian Beth Shanaman and nutrition and fitness manager Katy Wilkens, MS, RD, share insights into these issues and their diet recommendations when you are...

Elizabeth Barnett is a partner and public policy expert for Avenue Solutions. She represents Kidney Care Partners, an advocacy coalition dedicated to improving care for people who have kidney disease. Elizabeth discusses with Lori the CKD Improvement and Treatment Act of 2021 S1971/HR 4065 that was introduced last year by both the House and the Senate. Listen in to learn how the bill will improve...

For Gail Dewald, RN, CNN, passion for her work is evident as she explains a day in her life as a nephrology nurse working with people who have kidney disease. Many things have changed throughout her career, but her dedication to those with kidney disease remains the same. Listen in to hear about innovations in kidney care and the insight she has gained during her 30-plus years in the field.

Do you know what to do when disaster strikes? Depending on the damage your community sustains, your local dialysis clinic can be closed for a day or two to a couple of months. You have a lot of support available around you, but do you know who to call for help? Listen in as Bob Loeper, Vice President of Disaster Response Fresenius Medical Care, North America, shares what patients and caregivers ca...

Jessica Frysz is a young woman who has beat a lifetime of odds. She has learned to flourish despite having dealt with kidney disease since she was a baby. While on dialysis for 28 years and having a kidney transplant, Jessica focused on her ambitions and dreams. Listen in to be inspired by this courageous young woman.

George Franklin III is president of the Transplant Quarter Century Club and a contributing writer of Because of Organ Donation, a book by Brenda E. Cortez. George had a kidney transplant more than 45 years ago. Listen in to learn his secret for keeping his gift of life healthy and strong.

Dr. Victor Gura is an associate clinical professor of medicine at the Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He and his company, Wearable Artificial Organs, Inc., were issued a patent for "combination wearable and stationary dialysis systems." Dr. Gura has worked 21 years in Italy and London, and finally in the United States to develop the devices. Initial clinical trials have already been conducted i...

Kidney disease is difficult enough without suffering needlessly. Many over-the-counter medications are harmful to the kidneys. What can you do to take control of pain without causing more damage? If you, or someone you know has kidney disease, it is especially important to be in the know about options to relieve pain. Lori and nephrologist Dr. Mary J. Godinich discuss the side effects of medicatio...

Getting listed for a kidney transplant can be a daunting process. Do you know your dialysis social worker can help with the process and prepare you for what is to come? Felicia Speed, Vice President of Social Work Services for Fresenius Kidney Care, shares tips to help you prepare for your kidney transplant. Listen in to learn how to overcome difficulties and barriers.

Tricia McCarley, a nurse practitioner with Fresenius Kidney Care, sits down with Lori to discuss dialysis lab values and why you should care. Listen in to learn what the different tests show, how your own body processes may affect the results, and which lab values you may be able to control.

Innovations in treating kidney disease were just beginning when Dr. Steven Rosansky, aka Dr. Ro, a nephrology specialist in Columbia, SC, first started his practice. He was drawn to this medical specialty because it gave him the opportunity to really do something to help his patients. In this interview, Lori and Dr. Ro put a kidney disease diagnosis into perspective. Listen in to learn the differe...

What is artificial intelligence (AI), and does it apply to kidney care? Dr. George Aronoff, Chief Medical Officer and Co-inventor at Dosis, has over 30 years of experience in nephrology. He explains how AI-based anemia medication dosing is personalized and precisely based on the patients own demonstrated response. This can potentially lead to maintaining or improving a patients outcome. Be in the...

Calciphylaxis is a bone and mineral condition that can occur in people who have kidney disease or are on dialysis. Kidneys regulate many things including minerals which can cause the buildup of calcium causing painful wounds that are very susceptible to infections. Dr. Smeeta Sinha and Dr. Sagar Nigwekar explain the warning signs of calciphylaxis, ways to manage phosphorus and what treatments are...

Art therapy has been shown to be an effective way to help children and their families cope with having a chronic illness such as kidney disease. It helps to ease the mental and emotional stress that often accompanies their battle with illness. Plus, it allows them to forget about the pain, even for a while, and just relax. Board Certified Art Therapists Raja Aossey and Kathy Peal explain the proce...

The Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act that passed in congress in 2020 extends Medicare coverage for anti-rejection drugs from 36 months to the life of the transplant. Troy Zimmerman, Special Projects Director, National Kidney Foundation worked closely with congress to bring this bill to fruition. He explains the details of the bill, when it goes into...

There is an APP for everything. And luckily, there is one to help monitor what is needed to keep your transplanted kidney healthy. Transplant surgeon Dr. David Axelrod is the Kidney, Pancreas, Living Donor Transplant Surgical Director at the University of Iowa. He explains how to get the most from using the APP for post-transplant care. Listen in to learn how to do your part to keep your kidney he...

Kidney transplant recipients deal with taking anti-rejection meds for life. Talaris is developing an alternative to immunosuppression. Nancy Krieger, MD, Talaris Therapeutics Chief Medical Officer, explains how this new treatment will work and how it differs from what is currently prescribed. She also talks about how you can learn more about the clinical trials that are available.

Beth Witten, LCSW is an expert in insurance issues. She shares with Lori the basics of Medicare, what is covered and how to save money on drug prescriptions. Listen in to hear answers the most common questions people who have kidney disease have about navigating the complicated process. You don™t want to miss this show.

VidaFuel CEO Bette Parolini and her team envisioned how the gratifying experience of snacking equals the importance of nutrition. The result is delicious! VidaFuel™s innovative snacks for the renal diet include both sweet and savory options. Products also include tasty protein drinks. Things are just getting started, so expect more treats and flavors soon. If you are on dialysis and love chocolate...

Wendy Rodgers, M.Ed, MPH, and RSN Chairman of the Board, is a kidney transplant recipient and lupus survivor. Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that assaults healthy tissues and organs. Males are less likely to develop the disease, but they often experience more severe symptoms. And symptoms may vary because lupus can affect different parts of the body. Listen in to learn about the symptoms a...

Michelle Pace, RN, a kidney care advocate manager at Fresenius Kidney Care, will talk about the benefits of transitioning from in-center to home dialysis. Listen in as she explains the options that exist, and how they can add more freedom and flexibility to your diet and lifestyle.