KidneyTalk - An Online Radio Show By Renal Support Network

Jennifer McClung was diagnosed with kidney disease at a young age. After receiving a kidney transplant Jennifer started to put on extra weight and needed to make a change. She managed to lose the weight and along the way developed lifestyle changes to keep it off. Listen in to hear what worked for her and tips that can help make your own weight loss journey a success.

The journey of a single mom with kidney disease is a testament to unwavering determination as they navigate a career, medical appointments, treatments and the emotional toll, all the while nurturing and supporting their family. Mauricia Ambrose is a mother, a real estate investor and an author. Mauricia is also on peritoneal dialysis and shares how she gets things done, introduced her illness and treatment to her son and includes him in the process.

The inclusion of oral phosphate lowering drugs in the dialysis payment bundle starting in January 2025 is a significant change that has sparked debates and discussions within the kidney community. Lori and Jeffrey Silberzweig, MD delve into this topic along with a brief history and evolution of the bundled payment system. They discuss the pros and cons of this action and potential limitations on medication choices for patients. While bundling care encourages healthcare providers to consider overall value and efficiency in their treatment approaches it can prevent individualized treatment plans for delivery of patient care.

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 Prom, and how her experience with RSN influenced both her educational and career path.

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 a treatment that works. Listen in to hear Nidhi Sukul, MD and Lori discuss what might be the cause, questions to ask your doctor and a new treatment option.

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 which became a viral hit and helped raise awareness for kidney disease and organ donation. Today we learn more about his journey, his work and how he shares his experience with Lori of doing home dialysis while keeping up with a busy work and family schedule.

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 pledges to support employees who choose to give the gift of life.

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. Listen and be inspired to overcome your obstacles and live your best life.

Author Anyssa Dang discusses her book about Helping Kids Who Are Diagnosed With Kidney Disease

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 join her!

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 role working in a dialysis clinic as she helps her patients thrive.

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 maintain good health. Listen in to hear renal-recipe-adjustment tips for go-to dishes for people on dialysis. You will get hungry, and might even find yourself thinking about becoming a renal dietitian!

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 with them. Listen in to what motivates John and keeps him engaged in his rewarding career.

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. Listen in to hear Mollys inspiring story. We are so grateful for her dedication.

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 a nephrologist and offer insight into day-to-day responsibilities. He will also give advice to medical school students who may be interested in becoming nephrologists.