KidneyTalk - An Online Radio Show By Renal Support Network

River rafting down the Colorado River might be on your bucket list. Maybe you are waiting for the right time of year, enough money or vacation time to do it. But, what if your physical need for dialysis is holding you back? Bill Peckham is on hemodialysis and has traveled the globe and Doug Johnson, MD decided to join him this year for this 8-day, 225 mile river rafting experience of a lifetime. C...

The holidays are supposed to be a happy time right? In the middle of all the festivities and preparations, it's a stressful and difficult time for many. Lori and Stephen talk about why this happens and what can be done to survive those holiday blues. Have a laugh listening to these two talk about how they cope, their tips for eating and drinking with restrictions, and some pretty funny gift-giving...

Finding a place to stay to get evaluated for a kidney transplant, to train for home dialysis, or to recover from surgery is difficult or unaffordable for people who live some distance from where they receive care. In 1973, Crawford Harrison, a patient himself, saw the need and wanted to help. Almost 30 years later, Bobby Walker, who has a kidney transplant, manages Harrison House and tells us abou...

Risa Simon is a talented writer and took 1st place in the Renal Support Network's 11th Annual Essay Contest. She knew that she carried the gene for polycystic kidney disease and that one day it would cause her kidneys to fail. Risa shares her journey, explaining how she advocated for herself so she could get the best possible care and a preemptive kidney transplant. Her goal in telling her story i...

We hear a lot in the news about bacteria and viruses and the problems they cause. Antibiotics are becoming resistant to bacteria, which can mean that there is no treatment. Preventing an infection in the dialysis unit is extremely important (lifesaving), and everyone must do his or her part to make this happen. Kerri Holloway, RN, is in charge of Corporate Infection Control for Fresenius Medical C...

Lori interviews John Foxjohn, author of Killer Nurse, who tells a chilling tale. A dialysis nurse committed serial murder! We bring you this interview not to scare you but to tell you of an unprecedented event in hemodialysis. Kimberly Clark Saenz is now serving life in prison plus sixty years for the murder of five people. Hear what Foxjohn's two hundred plus interviews reveal about this horrific...

Danea Horn is no stranger to adversity. She's battling multiple illnesses and impending kidney failure, so she knows what she's talking about and definitely practices what she preaches. She's the author of a new book titled Chronic Resilience: 10 Sanity-Saving Strategies for Women Coping with the Stress of Illness. Lori and Danea talk about how they accepted their illness and how they focus on wha...

How often does the doctor become the patient? Unfortunately, Mark Wedel, MD, like the protagonist in the movie "The Doctor," had to live this transformation. When he was told that his kidneys were failing and that he needed a transplant, Dr. Wedel had no idea where to begin, what to do, or what to ask. After carefully researching his options, he decided to write a book to better explain to other p...

Chronic illnesses and hospitalizations are no laughing matter, until you're living them and realize that laughter helps you get through these difficult times. Carla Ulbrichthe Singing Patientlaughed and sang her way through a stroke, kidney failure, and severe lupus. She explains to Lori how she discovered the healing and coping powers within herself. She has songs about sitting in the waiting roo...

The medical director of the dialysis facility is the captain of your ship. Dr. Doug Johnson and Dr. Tom Parker recently had a meeting that allowed medical directors from around the country to openly discuss the ways they're improving patient care and the quality goals they need to focus on. This unique collaborative approach is the pathway to providing the best possible care for people on dialysis...

Do you suffer from an invisible disability? People often think that because you look good, you can't possibly feel bad. Wayne Connell, the founder of the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA), describes how he watched his wife, who has multiple sclerosis, go through this. He and Lori discuss ideas on how you can improve communication with a loved one who has an invisible disability and how you...

Chef Aaron McCargo Jr., from Big Daddy's House on The Food Network, has come up with good-tasting, kidney-friendly recipes for people on dialysis. Listen to this interview and find out about the spices and juices you can use to give your food that extra something to help you stay on track with your renal diet, together with other useful tips. Try one of his recipes and have what he calls "a party...

Can you live very long on dialysis? Oh yes you can! Lori interviews Ms. Celia Kanter who has been on dialysis for over 36 years. Celia was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of 30, due to high blood pressure, and was given only 5 years to live. She is now 73, has had the same fistula since she started, and is living an active life. Listen to this amazing woman's story of wisdom, longevity an...

Yancy discovered not only the love of her life on that blind date with Hector, but also a new world that would lead to a career and life dedicated to caring and advocating for people with chronic renal failure. Learning everything she could about kidney disease, dialysis and transplant, so that she could know more about the illness her soon-to-be husband was living with, Yancy decided to pursue a...

What do you do when you grow up battling kidney disease? Mary Wu would say "don't let it consume or define you." Listen to this upbeat interview with Mary, who shares her story and the "wu-isms" she lives by. She wrote a book, "Confessions of a Kidney Transplant Recipient," for herself and later decided to publish it to help others. Two time kidney transplant recipient and now an advocate for dona...

If you've had chickenpox, you're at risk for developing shingles. Linda Oakford, who received a kidney transplant 12 years ago, shares her personal experience with shingles and the painful rash that can appear anywhere on the body. Learn about symptoms and treatment so that if you develop shingles, you can detect it early and expedite your recovery.

Organ donation is an important topic, since according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, a total of 128,474 people are waiting for a transplant, and 103,630 of them are waiting for a kidney. Chris Klug explains how he "trained for the race of his life," and he isn't talking about snowboarding at the Olympics. In addition, David Fleming, President and CEO of Donate Life, clears u...

Lucy Kim is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood, CA. She has worked with transplant recipients for several years. Patients always ask her, "After I get my transplant, how long will my Medicare benefits last?" In this interview, Lori and Lucy talk about what people need to know if their benefits end 36 months after their transplant to help them look fo...

The Hostert family never knew that kidney disease would affect their lives in so many ways. Kathleen and her son Justin share the bond of having given the gift of life to Husband/Dad Craig. Listen to this rollercoaster of a ride show and hear what the family learned throughout this journey. Organ donation can bring a family even closer together.

Different organ procurement regions across the country have different wait times for a transplant. They range from a couple of years to a decade. Ron Taubman shares his personal experience with multi-listing at various transplant centers throughout the country to increase his chances of getting a kidney. In this informative interview, learn what most centers require and what the patient's financia...

Mandy Trolinger always knew that she wanted a child, but the two kidney transplants she had had meant that pregnancy was risky both for her and for the baby. As a physician assistant and renal dietician, she understands the medical risks involved and explains what she learned during her pregnancy about immunosuppressants, weight gain, and breastfeeding. She also describes what she had to do to del...

Lynne Sanditen's father was diagnosed with kidney disease and was constantly trying to figure out the phosphorus, potassium, protein and sodium for his diet. It was daunting. She knew she had to find a way to help him and thus, the Kidney Diet App was born. Listen to how this user-friendly tool works and can be personalized to help you make the right renal friendly food choices.

There is a movement in the United States to help educate people and public officials of the benefits of home dialysis. Dr. Leslie Wong is Vice President of Clinical Affairs of Satellite and on the Steering Committee of the Alliance for Home Dialysis. He discusses with Lori the issues that can prevent people from having this treatment option made available to them. Have you been offered peritoneal...

Kidney disease presents a number of stressful situations that can lead to feelings of anxiety. How do you know that it's time to seek help? Mark Meier, MSW, is the Founder and Executive Director of the Face It Foundation. He explains what the symptoms are and how to determine if they are affecting your life or your health care. In addition to providing some tips on coping with anxiety, he asserts...

After years of dialysis, Bill Cone received a successful transplant. He recently celebrated his 75th birthday and is still going strong. He believes deeply in the value of staying busyexplaining that people should work, teach, and help others. Hearing his story will motivate everyone in the audience.