I just signed up for an October online webinar over the weekend, which reminded me at the same time to update my Health Care Team members. The webinar is titled: Making the Perfect Team: Working with Your Dialysis Technician. It is being presented by the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) in conjunction with the organization’s HealthLine initiative, and in partnership with National Association of Nephrology Technicians/Technologists (NANT). The AAKP HealthLine is a webinar-based program (with the conference call option still available for those without a computer) that convenientl ..read more

There are times when chronic kidney disease patients feel like they are on the short end of managing their own destiny. There are a couple instances that have arisen recently that tend to substantiate that feeling. One is a report on kidneybuzz.com provided by Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) that suggests that transplant hospitals are throwing out kidneys and denying patients to meet federal standards. Another is legislation proposed in the U.S. Congress – known as the Dialysis Patients Demonstration Act – that the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) believes restricts patient ch ..read more

I do not pretend to understand totally the innovations that are emerging from various researchers who are attempting to improve the lives of those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and those who have reached the end stage of being on dialysis. I have read up a good bit on the artificial kidney that may be on the brink of successful marketing. I have read up somewhat on wearable artificial kidneys that may someday make dialysis patients much move ambulatory. Now I am being presented with 3D printer technology that may be able to impact those with kidney failure. What some call “The Chronic ..read more

I received word this week that my book Dialing in on DI-AL-Y-SIS has been selected to be displayed at the upcoming 16th Annual Holiday Author Fair. The Fair is set for Saturday, December 1, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center in downtown Indianapolis on West Ohio Street. Staged in the Historical Society Library & Archive (available by elevator), the much-anticipated event features dozens of bona fide authors sitting at tables offering their latest books for public consumption. The Author Fair’s selection committee has an established history of en ..read more

Part of my daily routine is to peruse articles provided by kidneybuzz.com, a free online service provided by a California-based company that also offers patient-related products for those like me who are on dialysis. I found this morning’s item quite interesting, even though it was read several hours ahead of sunrise. It centered on a report of earnings for the top two dialysis providers in the United States. The headline posed the question: Should Dialysis Companies Treating Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Be Making Record Profits? The article cites Los Angeles Times-published info that reads ..read more

When patients are first diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, or first initiate end-stage renal disease treatments (on dialysis) there are times when emotions can take center stage. In my book, Dialing in on DI-AL-Y-SIS, it is noted that “psychologists characterize the gateway into the world of chronic kidney disease – that can end up on dialysis – can create a physical and emotional crossroads. A pertinent online article, attributed to the American Psychological Association (APA), acknowledges that dialysis requires a considerable amount of time and effort. … And yes, it does take a lot of t ..read more

Today, I received an electronic  communique from Lori Hartwell at rsnhope.org and her Renal Support Network’s RENALERT news issue. The lead article centers on the topic of depression. That reminded me of a blog item I penned back in early March titled Dialysis Has Its Own Pains & Sufferings, where I addressed personal pains relating to physical, mental, emotional, financial, family, and religious concerns. The RENALERT offering is titled Understanding Depression & Overcoing Depression, and is authored by licensed social worker Mark Meier, executive director the Face It Foundation ..read more

Displayng his 2 stickers after casting ballot. By the end of this calendar year’s first quarter (January-March), I can realistically state that I helped Fresenius Medical Care, the largest dialysis-related conglomerate in the entire world, to increase one of its numbers in a May 3-released financial report reflecting its U.S. and international operations. I really can’t get too excited, though, about my part in the report. After reading that the Marion County voting turnout (16 percent of those who are registered) was low, I still believe my effort on the political front was more impactful th ..read more

WSMV News 4, a Nashville (Tennessee) television station, this past week reported on the development and progress of a bionic kidney that is providing hope for the many thousands of dialysis patients across the country. I came to know of this artificial kidney possibility while researching my book, Dialing in on DI-AL-Y-SIS, and included pertinent information of the progress being made by the two original research collaborators in one of my 16 chapters. The Nashville station’s update on the bionic kidney aired as follows: There are two options for a person with kidney failure. A kidney transpl ..read more

While watching a TV sports show early one morning last week during a dialysis treatment, it was mentioned that the Kansas City Royals (my favorite baseball team) were getting ready to begin their 50th season as an American League franchise. I have been right along on that half century every step of the way, being one of those in the original group of Royals’ fans. Certainly, the highlights have been the two World Series championships (1985, 2015). During my own 50-year career as a journalist, one of my favorite columns centered on a KC player who in the maiden season for the franchise was sel ..read more