KidneyTalk - An Online Radio Show By Renal Support Network

Do you have small children in your family, who are wondering what all the doctor's visits are about? What is that machine for? Shawn Chase had to find a way to explain dialysis to her 7 year-old son when she started treatments, and she didn't stop there. She wrote a book about it to help other families with small children. Dialysis can be frightening to children (as well as adults), but sometimes, taking the mystery out of it and explaining to kids exactly what it's about can help ease their anxiety. Listen as Lori talks with Shawn about how she helped her kids cope.

Have you considered all your dialysis options? Home dialysis is a good option for many people and can allow more flexibility in your schedule and can provide better outcomes. Lori talks to Rich Berkowitz, founder of NxStage Users (soon to be called Home Dialyzers United), and they share stories about their experiences with home hemo and peritoneal dialysis. Listen and learn about the benefits of taking more control or your treatment.

Support is crucial when you have kidney disease and often RSN is asked how to create and maintain a successful support group. Lori Majopian called RSN and asked for guidance on how to start a support group in her area. We decided to record the call. In this interview Lori Hartwell provides ideas on what is involved, how to get started, tips for success and answers the callers questions. Peer to peer support is very important, and considering starting a support group in your area can help provide knowledge, experience and most importantly hope.

Shad Ireland has accomplised what only a select few people can say - he competes in Ironman Triathlons. Having been on dialysis for decades, he shares his journey of despair to becoming a transformed athlete. His wisdom, drive and desire to help others with chronic kidney disease are evident with the many tools he has developed. You won't be able to stay in your seat for this interview as it will make you want to get up, move and take action.

Do you know the most common billing errors? Can you really get sent to collections for not paying? How do you dispute a medical bill? Lisa Zamosky, writer for the Los Angeles Times consumer health column, Health 411, as well as WebMD's Health Insurance Navigator blog, shares tips on how to deal with medical billing errors. They happen more often than you might think, but they are sometimes preventable. Listen to Lisa and Lori's conversation and learn ways to protect yourself and your wallet by knowing more about your medical bills and how to fight back.

Effective communication is the key to a successful partnership and it is important that people who are on dialysis are involved in their care to receive the best outcome. Debra J. Hain, PhD, APRN, GNP-BC explains how patients can engage their dialysis team to become informed consumers and how establishing a partnership can benefit both you and your dialysis team.

Deborah Ramsey is definitely a glass half full kind of gal and you won't find much grass growing under her feet. She had a kidney transplant 24 years ago and has had a few challenges to overcome. Despite her many obstacles she continues to be a positive force in her community. You will feel inspired after listening to her amazing outlook on life.

People who have received a kidney transplant who have Medicare will lose their Medicare benefits 36 months post-transplant, if they are not disabled or are not over the age of 65. If a transplant recipient does not have health insurance and/or access to the medications that keep the organ viable, it leaves them at risk of losing their transplant due to rejection. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., from Texas, introduced the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2011 (H.R. 2969) to help transplant recipients have continued access to the life-saving medication. He explains why this bill is good policy and a necessity, to save Medicare money and to save patient lives.

Over the years many advancements have been made in how the matching of donor kidneys to recipients is determined. Dr. Rafael Villicana is Associate Director of Kidney Transplantation at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, California and explains blood type compatibility, antigen match and how antibodies tell if the kidney is suited for the recipient. Learn about blood type incompatibility, kidney swaps and what transplant doctors are looking for when they perform a cross match.

If you have had a transplant, blood transfusion or a child, you might have antibodies that prevent you from getting transplanted. Dr. Stanley Jordan of Cedar Sinai Medical Center describes this breakthrough treatment called "desensitization" which allows people with high antibodies to receive a successful kidney transplant. Listen to Lori's story about how she underwent this treatment protocol which made it possible for her to receive her 4th kidney transplant.

Ken Kleinberg, high powered entertainment attorney, didn't know anything about kidney disease until his doctor told him his kidneys were failing, and he would need dialysis or a transplant to survive. Ken turned his misfortune into an opportunity to help others, by starting the University Kidney Research Organization (UKRO), to help find a cure for this devastating disease. USC, Natalie Cole and Deana Carter are on board to help accomplish this mission. Here is his remarkable story of determination and hope.

Twin sisters Ana and Isa, both born with cystic fibrosis (CF), have had three double-lung transplants between them and are the picture of resilience and fortitude. Academy Award nominated producer Marc Smolowitz, who directed the newly released documentary film "THE POWER OF TWO", discusses the highlights of the film with Lori, about Ana and Isa's quest to advocate and educate their peers, especially in Japan where CF is rare, and organ transplantation is a cultural taboo. This film will be screened in "DocuWeeks 2011", which qualifies documentary films for consideration for the Academy Awards.

Going back to work and finding a job can be difficult when you have a disability. Dan OBrien, former Assistant Commissioner of the Ticket to Work Program, explains to Lori what the Ticket to Work program is, who is eligible to apply and how to participate. In this interview you will learn how it can help you and what you need to do to get started.

Mary Wu is no stranger to overcoming adversity. As a young child she had to overcome kidney disease, and has since grown into a lovely young lady, wise beyond her years. Lori and Mary talk with humor and grace about the transition from pediatrics to adulthood. By the end of the show, they find that they have more in common than they knew.

Renae Jacob was diagnosed with type-one diabetes and was told that her kidneys would fail someday and she would need a kidney transplant. Luckily, she was able to receive a kidney from her girlfriend. Diabetes impacts the pancreas and Ranae learned she was a candidate for a clinical trial of islet cell transplant which, if proved successful, would end the need to take insulin and would help her pancreas to start working again. Hear her remarkable story of courage and hope.

Remembering what meds to take, at the right time, and making sure you have adequate supply can sometimes be daunting. Donna G. Brooten describes an online medicine management system that will help you stay on track and provides personalized print outs (you can receive text messages too) of your medication regimen. Be on top of your medicine management and dazzle the docs.

It is important to know your dialysis treatment options and peritoneal is a great choice for people who want to have more control, a more liberal diet and freedom with their dialysis schedule. Lori, who was on this therapy for nine years, interviews Stephanie Curd, RN, and Director of Home Therapies with Fresenius Medical Care. They both know the ins and outs of peritoneal dialysis so if you want to know about this option from two insiders listen to this show.

Larry Green is an accomplished artist and spent many of his dialysis days drawing his access arm capturing the different needle angles, tape and changes he saw occurring to help pass the time. He was becoming restless with the time dialysis took. One day he had an epiphany and realized that if he wanted to get off of dialysis and get transplanted, he would have to take control. Here is the amazing story of how he found his kidney on Craigslist from an altruistic donor.

David Rosenbloom, author of Becoming Me, shares the emotional evolution he experienced while dealing with the many challenges of kidney failure. He shares insight into how his wife was his advocate and champion, but became overwhelmed after two transplant opportunities had fallen through, which caused her to have some health issues. This incident caused David to make changes in his life, attitude and treatment plan. David and Lori discuss how he made this transition.

There's a guide for this? Yes. Toni Bernhard, former law professor, authored "How To Be Sick" after learning she may never recover from an undiagnosed illness. The flu-like symptoms that keep her in bed most of the time, also led her to find ways to live well with a chronic illness. Listen to her story and learn how Buddhist practices can help overcome the anger, jealousy and other emotions that people with chronic illnesses face.