KidneyTalk - An Online Radio Show By Renal Support Network

Nelson Freytes went to the hospital and ended up in a coma. He awoke with a new liver. What makes this story so fascinating is he never knew he needed a transplant until he had one. Nelson wanted to connect with others and as a result created transplantcafe.com. Join us for a cup of java and hear some ways he's made his transplant work for him.

Michelle Kats (Mishy) hasn't had an easy life, she was diagnosed with kidney disease at a very young age. That hasn't kept her from developing style and knowing who she is. Listen as Stephen and Lori travel with her along her journey of courage, hope and love.

Listen to this interview with Lana Kacherova, RN about this imminent pandemic, as she explains what it is and what people with kidney disease should do.

Keep It Hollywood of the National Kidney Foundation promotes kidney disease awareness by screening actors to find out if they are at risk. Hear what several of the actors had to say when they were screened. Hear from Ann Lopez who gave a kidney to her husband comedian George Lopez.

Do you know who is dialyzing in the chair next to you? If not, it could be this gal and she's worth knowing. Wendy has taken on kidney disease, dialysis, and lupus with a positive attitude. In this show, she talks freely about her life and how chronic illness has affected her. She's all about education. Listen in and educate yourself a little.

With a family history of PKD - many of her family members have not made it past their 50th birthday - Linda Oakford made two life-affecting decisions in her early 20s which actually helped her meet her husband! This is an inspirational story of courage, of selflessness, and strategizing to life's realities while finding the silver lining. Tune in for hope and courage now.

Mike Paget, who has been in the renal community for thirty years and serves as RSN Director of Operations, reminisces about dialysis and dialysis machines in 1977 in England for which he provided service and maintenance as an electrical engineer. Home hemo and overnight dialysis were the norm back then in this country with socialized medicine. Mike tells some fascinating stories about the early treatment modalities along with a description of the English version of "Universal Healthcare"something to hear about on Election Day!

Valerie Thomerson was both new on the job and finding a new home with her husband when she "just blew off all the symptoms," she said. She had all the warning signs but no family history of disease, and, besides, the new job called for all her attention. How did a security guard save her life? Why did the triage nurse have to take her blood pressure three times before he believed the reading? Now living with a transplanted kidney from a donor at her church, Valerie's story is both inspiring and fascinating.

After a career of 37 years in Fire Service saving other people's lives and possessions -- Firefighter, Fire Marshall, and Chief of Emergency Services at a university-- John Garcia was locked in a battle with CKD for his own life. He didn't have anything but flu symptoms when his doctor called up and said, "Get to the hospital, your kidneys are failing!" Listen to this latest KidneyTalk show podcast for the story of John's heroic fight for his life, his experience with home hemodialysis, and the moving story about the roles his son and daughter played as caregiver and kidney donor. A very special KidneyTalk show!

Am I depressed? After 11 years as licensed clinical social worker and administrator of a dialysis facility, plus 5 years working for the renal network, Mark Meier has the know-how to pull away the stigma, the secrecy, and the shame of depression to reveal a treatable illness whose symptoms have been experienced by most people at one time or another. Tune into this remarkable show to learn more about depression, what causes it, why diabetes and CKD patients may be more susceptible to it, and how you can find your way back to the sunny side of the street.

Dr. Carol DiRaimondo, an internist specializing in kidney diseases, gives some no-nonsense, straight-as-an-arrow talk about why it's vitally important for people with kidney disease to take care of their heartand how to do it. Because patients on dialysis are at a higher risk for heart disease, they will be especially empowered by this discussion. Find out what you can do to prevent heart disease or work your way towards a healthy heart in this information-packed show.

A kidney patient since she was 11, Diana Headlee-Bell has had two transplants and, since her second kidney transplant rejected, has been in in-center nocturnal hemodialysis 3 nights a week for 9 years. Why she likes it and how she manages it are two of the many questions Stephen and Lori ask. This alternative therapy modality can have many benefits. Listen to the show to find out what they are and -above all- discover another hemodialysis modality!

A Nephrology nurse since 1970, Gail Wick has seen treatment for chronic kidney disease improve considerably. But one of the hidden side effects, happening long before kidneys fail, is secondary hyperparathyroidism, now known as Mineral and Bone Disorder. Find out what it is and how to cope with it from an expert.

Sally Traore came to the United States all the way from West Africa at age 14 to get an education and pursue the American Dream. She started to get headaches and learned that her kidneys were failing fast and would need dialysis. Her Mom was a world away when she received the news and was grateful that her daughter could receive life saving treatment. Listen to her inspiring story of courage and her optimistic attitude as she navigates her new life with kidney disease.

After two tours in Iraq, this soldier returned to a Thanksgiving Dinner that changed his life. There he learned that Daniel, a scarcely known cousin of his wife, desperately needed a kidney. So Darren Smiley practiced one of the tenets of his faith, to make life better for people. With this touching story of a patriot and compassionate human being, Renal Support Network salutes and honors the troops risking their lives to defend ours in this special celebration for July 4th, American Independence Day.

Do you ever feel like your food choices are too limited? Are you discouraged when the low sodium food you just discovered is high in phosphorus? Did you know that sometimes your favorite protein might have unexpectedly high salt? Gaynell Irving gives listeners some straight--very straighttalk about negotiating the fast food menu, salt substitutes, thirst, dairy products, liquids and much more. Here's some encouragement to drive straight on the food highway.