KidneyTalk - An Online Radio Show By Renal Support Network

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) require every dialysis facility to measure quality of care and the results are located at DialysisFacilityCompare.com. This site helps people make informed choices about their own treatment and care they receive. CMS is adding a new feature to this website that will use a five-star rating system which will rate facilities based on a bell-curve. G...

People often keep chronic illness a secret because of how it can affect their personal or professional lives. Alan Mendelson, of the Emmy award-winning Alan's Best Buys, hid the fact that he was living with diabetes and relying on insulin. He eventually needed a kidney and pancreas transplant, and received the needed organs. These tremendous gifts of life made him want to share his journey with ot...

Comic relief came in the form of a kidney from this comedian. When Alonzo Bodden learned his brother was in need of a kidney transplant, he didn't think twice about donating one of his. He was a comedian donating a kidney; on the other side of the deal, he could tell you that several well-known comedians have received life-saving kidney transplants! It's a good thing he didn't give his brother the...

Cuts, scrapes and bruises may seem harmless, but when you are immune-compromised, the risks are higher for infections. Bob Klein talks to Lori about everything he learned after he had to care for a wound. What kind of doctor should you see? Is there a right way to "ice" a wound? How long should you wait to seek medical help? The information in this interview can save your life!

If you are waiting for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor, you probably already know that waiting times vary throughout the Country and over 100,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant. The system used to determine who receives a deceased donor kidney is coordinated by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). At the end of 2014, the criteria used for kidney allocation is changing...

We spend large amounts of time on the road, some of it just sitting in traffic. If you're stuck in a bumper-to-bumper traffic jam, you can't help but stare at the bumper - and license! - of the car in front of you. Yes, here is your chance to make a difference with personalized license plates. You give others in a traffic jam or a parking lot something to look at and something to think about. At t...

If you have trouble sitting still during prolonged periods of time, like dialysis, for example, because your legs get numb and tingly, these may be signs of a serious medical condition. Susie Gonzalez talks to Lori about the initial symptoms that turned out to be a deterioration of nerves otherwise known as Neuropathy. Listen to the interview and learn more about the signs Susie felt and what you...

What is a home health worker? It can be your friend, neighbor, relative or a professional that you have hired. There are many things to consider when choosing a home health worker, from the type of help you need (is it chores, wound care, physical therapy) to how you are going to pay for it. Lesley Holden, RN can help shed some light on what to keep in mind to help make the right choice for you or...

"Let's take this picture and make it go viral," said Brandy to her friend Kristi. Little did they know just how successful that campaign would be. Kristi Callaway told her long-time friend Brandy Angel that her husband was in need of a kidney and they came up with a plan to start looking beyond their immediate group of friends and family. Raleigh Callaway, the police officer who had kept quiet abo...

Dating and learning how to deal with body image issues, rejection and acceptance, and intimacy is all part of growing up. But if you have medical issues that are visible, you may have more reservations and be less likely to give yourself a chance. Joanna Galeas chats with Lori about her decision making process when it came to choosing a dialysis method and when and how to tell someone she is datin...

Surgery can be stressful and create unforeseen obstacles one may not be aware of. Being prepared for surgery can reduce nervousness, stress levels and anxiety. Lifetime patients Heather Powell and Lori Hartwell discuss what they do to prepare for surgery.

No one wants to be told they're not a candidate for a kidney transplant if that's what their hopes are. Kathryn Bornhurst, Transplant Coordinator, shares why a healthcare professional may ask you do to additional testing, or tell you you're not a candidate for a transplant. With over 100,000 people waiting for a kidney, they want to assure the best outcomes. Listen to this show and hear the ins an...

Paul Seville is no stranger to health issues, as he was diagnosed as a child with chronic kidney disease. Paul later decided to become a medical doctor and use his knowledge and personal experience to help people. He shares his wisdom of navigating the internet and tips of where you can find credible information. Paul is a Clinical Informaticist at WebMD Health Services.

Dietitian and food technologist Dr. Nancy Berkoff talks about the different kinds of vegetarian diets and the various sources of protein. She explains what tofu and soy are, where they come from, and how you can prepare them. Since renal diets require high-quality proteins, listen to this informative interview to find out what your options are and what might work best for you as you watch your sod...

Alport Syndrome is an underdiagnosed and commonly misdiagnosed disease whose symptoms often go undetected. Sharon Lagas established the Alport Syndrome Foundation after losing her 38-year-old brother to this hereditary illness and then learning that she, her mother, and her two sons and two nieces also had it. Sharon explains what is involved and shares her personal story. Listen to this interview...

A kidney is a priceless gift, and keeping it for over 25 years is something we all wish for. George Franklin III is the President of the Transplant Quarter Century Club and has had his kidney transplant for more than 38 years. Knowing first-hand the unique problems that can come from having a transplant for so long, he started the club so that members could support one another as they deal with bo...

Renal diets are full of "don'ts" and it's difficult to follow the rules when all you can think about is all that good stuff you can't have. Sara Carlson, a renal dietitian and author of Kidney Diet - Cooking with David, has some great tips on how to make it easier to not only prepare renal friendly food, but also to stick with it. Listen to this conversation and take notes. Sara prepares a weekend...

Harvey Wells is a seasoned traveler and has visited 150 facilities in 37 states while doing home hemodialysis. After his kidney transplant failed, he thought his traveling days were over. Harvey and Lori discuss what you need to do to ensure your safety and enjoy your trip. "When you travel, you have to plan. Travel is the one thing that has helped me cope. I enjoy traveling and helping educate pe...

The Transplant Games of America is a multi-sport festival for those who have undergone life-saving transplant surgery. Debbie Morgan, who is the Chair of SoCal Transplant Games, explains what happens at the games and how her life as a liver transplant recipient has been enriched by being a part of them. There are many physical and nonphysical competitions to choose from. More than an athletic even...

Nathan Gutierrez was raised to be independent. Born with Spina Bifida and needing to use a wheelchair his entire life, Nathan shares his inspiring story of how his parents and friends encouraged him to live a "normal" life. When his kidneys failed, he knew he would have another challenge but he didn't let that stop him. Listen to his incredible journey of how he has overcome life's obstacles and c...

You probably have a special calendar or system for ordering and taking medications, and keeping track of medical appointments. But did you know about the apps and tools that are out there to help people follow a renal diet? Learn about the difference between "trackers" and "planners", and what you should look for when picking out one of these tools. Lori and Sara Carlson, RD, Manager at DaVita.com...

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Society of Nephrology, along with other patient and professional organizations, are collaborating to advance scientific understanding of the health and patient safety implications of new and existing medical products. Dr. Roy Chaudhury notes that the goal is to foster the development of therapies for kidney disease by creating a collaborative...

Dr. Gary Curhan specializes in the treatment of kidney stones. These are small stones, usually made up of calcium crystals that form inside the kidney. Passing a stone can be very painful. Dr. Curhan and Lori discuss the causes of and treatments for kidney stones, as well as what you can do to stay stone-free.

Dr. Susan Nicholas is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and she specializes in hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure. Hypertension is the second leading cause of kidney failure. People who are on dialysis or receive a transplant often have problems with high blood pressure, and Dr. Nicholas explains why it is so important to keep y...

The idea of using condemned prisoners as organ donors comes up from time to time in this country and continues to be controversial. Lori had a conversation with Alexandra Glazier, Chair of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network's Ethics Committee, to clarify some of the issues that arise when considering this type of donor. Ethical questions, the cost of evaluations, and public percepti...