Dialysis & CKD Report 9/30

By Miriam Lippel Blum

Here are the CKD related blogs updated since my last report on 9/27.   If you have or know of a blog that should be on the list let Bill know. Comments in parentheses are my reactions or opinions.

• Dialysis from the sharp end of the needle Bill comments on Jennifer Nix's excellent article on Salon, I love my socialist kidney; Bill is against Senator Blanche Lincoln's proposed  amendments to the Senate Finance Committee's health insurance reform that would redirect resources away from treating kidney disease.  He suggests you find out if your Senator is on the Finance Committee and write to ask that they vote against Senator Lincoln's amendment(s). Bill reports that the Senate Finance Committee did not take up Senator Lincoln's amendments on Tuesday but will reconvene today (Wednesday), contact your Senator ASAP to vote against the amendments.
• Kamal Shah's Blog Kamal plays matchmaker and describes several eligible bachelors in his circle of friends, including himself. (Wishing you all luck in the love department soon.)
• Kaply, Inc. Tracy was in a very bad mood so she went back to bed.
• Toastiest doesn't sleep well on nocturnal dialysis but doesn't like the way conventional HD messes up his work schedule; hopes that there will be a public insurance option despite the votes against it in the Senate this week, plus is disappointed that Obama is not more forceful in regard to it.
• Birdman posts a music video "Never Alone"  by Barlow Girl.
• The Life of a 20-Something With Lupus was sick with stomach pains and exhaustion so she missed school and work.
• Becky Perry shares some website links including recipes, a crochet afghan pattern, and bible lessons; she adores the autumn weather.
• On the Road to a Cure has an article on six ways to ensure a better life with lupus, includes some medication and financial resource suggestions; Lupus Now magazine is looking for interviewees for their Spring 2010 issue.
• I Am. Are you? announces a charity event to be held at a karaoke bar; shares some of the great  stories they got from the "why you heart organ donors" campaign.
• Life on Dialysis is rethinking whom he will take on future treks as some of the current group are not respectful of the environment and communities they pass en route.
• The Ins and Outs of Dialysis is a new blog, written by John and Gayle, a retired couple who live in Sun City West, AZ. John is on home HD using the NxStage and Gayle is caretaker.  They share their experience with training, travel, and John's recent struggle with osteomyelitis in a toe.
• Bud's Ramblings Bud shares some random thoughts, my favorite was his observation that a husband would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring in the groceries.
• Renal Fellow Network has some links to recipes from cultures that eat kidneys; describes the pros and cons of two different paradigms explaining proteinuria;  a study provides evidence that a bone scan is fairly sensitive for diagnosing calcium uremic arteriolopathy and could be used in lieu of a biopsy.
• Uremic Frost a video of Dr. Henry Krum speaking about renal denervation for refractory hypertension; a study indicates that an impairment in kidney function in the elderly leads to an acceleration in cognitive decline.
• Renal tsar's blog discusses the pluses and challenges of optimal dialysis; a new report shows that the prevalence of CKD In the UK continues to rise. 
• Diario de diálisis Crónicas (en Español)  Journal dialysis - Chronicles (Google translated from Spanish) reveals an internet hoax about a girl searching for a kidney. (Shame on whomever started this vile hoax, when there are so many people out there is real desperate need.)
• pkdmom2five had a kidney infection and an abscessed cyst, her new church community assists with bringing food, and accepts them wholeheartedly.
• Dialysis and Me Barry videoblogs about why he hates Mondays and comments on Social Security's financial problems, for-profit care companies, and Jennifer Nix's article, I love my socialist kidney; recommends a blog he came across (See Miriam's Websurfing Find below for details);  video of Lewis Black exhorting doctors to find a cure for cancer; a video of a hi-tech Japanese robot; a video of his dog; pictures of the current state of his Ravenwing army.
• My Wife Has Lupus - Support for individuals whose family or friends have lupus writes about how the lupus related death of Lucy (in the Skies with Diamonds) Vodden in England reminds him of the fragility of his own wife's health.
• Lemonade and Kidneys Ruth is tickled that the MadMen-yourself game has her current haircut pre-programmed.
• The Ballad of Billy The Kidney links and comments on an article that discusses the heavy burden of costs to the home HD dialyzors that aren't reimbursed, such as increased electrical bills.
• The inner game of PKD explores "What is your PKD disease keeping you from?
• Kidney Diet Tips has a post and photos from last week's Tour DaVita bike ride fund raising event.  Team Teddy Bear describes how the 2009 Hudson Valley Walk for PKD went. (Congratulations to all the participants!

MIRIAM'S WEBSURFING FIND: I must give credit where credit is due, Barry Kiker found this helpful website and blog and wrote about it in his blog, Dialysis and Me.  

Michael W. Newman's site is entitled What You Can Do to Conquer Your Credit and Debt Problems, also the title of his book, now in its second edition and available at his site and Amazon.com.  The book is full of helpful information and sample letters to use when dealing with debt collectors and credit card companies.  He gives  gives concrete applicable suggestions and explains the laws that can help you get out of trouble.  With the economy in the state that it's in many people are struggling with financial issues, especially people with CKD5 and other chronic illnesses.  Michael hopes to help with his website and book.

Along with his extensive business background, Michael is also on in-center hemodialysis.  He shares some of his experiences in his blog and forum which can be found on the site.  One of his recent forum posts has good ideas on how to protect yourself while at dialysis.

By Miriam Lippel Blum

Here are the CKD related blogs updated since my last report on 9/27.   If you have or know of a blog that should be on the list let Bill know. Comments in parentheses are my reactions or opinions.

• Dialysis from the sharp end of the needle Bill comments on Jennifer Nix's excellent article on Salon, I love my socialist kidney; Bill is against Senator Blanche Lincoln's proposed  amendments to the Senate Finance Committee's health insurance reform that would redirect resources away from treating kidney disease.  He suggests you find out if your Senator is on the Finance Committee and write to ask that they vote against Senator Lincoln's amendment(s). Bill reports that the Senate Finance Committee did not take up Senator Lincoln's amendments on Tuesday but will reconvene today (Wednesday), contact your Senator ASAP to vote against the amendments.
• Kamal Shah's Blog Kamal plays matchmaker and describes several eligible bachelors in his circle of friends, including himself. (Wishing you all luck in the love department soon.)
• Kaply, Inc. Tracy was in a very bad mood so she went back to bed.
• Toastiest doesn't sleep well on nocturnal dialysis but doesn't like the way conventional HD messes up his work schedule; hopes that there will be a public insurance option despite the votes against it in the Senate this week, plus is disappointed that Obama is not more forceful in regard to it.
• Birdman posts a music video "Never Alone"  by Barlow Girl.
• The Life of a 20-Something With Lupus was sick with stomach pains and exhaustion so she missed school and work.
• Becky Perry shares some website links including recipes, a crochet afghan pattern, and bible lessons; she adores the autumn weather.
• On the Road to a Cure has an article on six ways to ensure a better life with lupus, includes some medication and financial resource suggestions; Lupus Now magazine is looking for interviewees for their Spring 2010 issue.
• I Am. Are you? announces a charity event to be held at a karaoke bar; shares some of the great  stories they got from the "why you heart organ donors" campaign.
• Life on Dialysis is rethinking whom he will take on future treks as some of the current group are not respectful of the environment and communities they pass en route.
• The Ins and Outs of Dialysis is a new blog, written by John and Gayle, a retired couple who live in Sun City West, AZ. John is on home HD using the NxStage and Gayle is caretaker.  They share their experience with training, travel, and John's recent struggle with osteomyelitis in a toe.
• Bud's Ramblings Bud shares some random thoughts, my favorite was his observation that a husband would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring in the groceries.
• Renal Fellow Network has some links to recipes from cultures that eat kidneys; describes the pros and cons of two different paradigms explaining proteinuria;  a study provides evidence that a bone scan is fairly sensitive for diagnosing calcium uremic arteriolopathy and could be used in lieu of a biopsy.
• Uremic Frost a video of Dr. Henry Krum speaking about renal denervation for refractory hypertension; a study indicates that an impairment in kidney function in the elderly leads to an acceleration in cognitive decline.
• Renal tsar's blog discusses the pluses and challenges of optimal dialysis; a new report shows that the prevalence of CKD In the UK continues to rise. 
• Diario de diálisis Crónicas (en Español)  Journal dialysis - Chronicles (Google translated from Spanish) reveals an internet hoax about a girl searching for a kidney. (Shame on whomever started this vile hoax, when there are so many people out there is real desperate need.)
• pkdmom2five had a kidney infection and an abscessed cyst, her new church community assists with bringing food, and accepts them wholeheartedly.
• Dialysis and Me Barry videoblogs about why he hates Mondays and comments on Social Security's financial problems, for-profit care companies, and Jennifer Nix's article, I love my socialist kidney; recommends a blog he came across (See Miriam's Websurfing Find below for details);  video of Lewis Black exhorting doctors to find a cure for cancer; a video of a hi-tech Japanese robot; a video of his dog; pictures of the current state of his Ravenwing army.
• My Wife Has Lupus - Support for individuals whose family or friends have lupus writes about how the lupus related death of Lucy (in the Skies with Diamonds) Vodden in England reminds him of the fragility of his own wife's health.
• Lemonade and Kidneys Ruth is tickled that the MadMen-yourself game has her current haircut pre-programmed.
• The Ballad of Billy The Kidney links and comments on an article that discusses the heavy burden of costs to the home HD dialyzors that aren't reimbursed, such as increased electrical bills.
• The inner game of PKD explores "What is your PKD disease keeping you from?
• Kidney Diet Tips has a post and photos from last week's Tour DaVita bike ride fund raising event.  Team Teddy Bear describes how the 2009 Hudson Valley Walk for PKD went. (Congratulations to all the participants!

MIRIAM'S WEBSURFING FIND: I must give credit where credit is due, Barry Kiker found this helpful website and blog and wrote about it in his blog, Dialysis and Me.  

Michael W. Newman's site is entitled What You Can Do to Conquer Your Credit and Debt Problems, also the title of his book, now in its second edition and available at his site and Amazon.com.  The book is full of helpful information and sample letters to use when dealing with debt collectors and credit card companies.  He gives  gives concrete applicable suggestions and explains the laws that can help you get out of trouble.  With the economy in the state that it's in many people are struggling with financial issues, especially people with CKD5 and other chronic illnesses.  Michael hopes to help with his website and book.

Along with his extensive business background, Michael is also on in-center hemodialysis.  He shares some of his experiences in his blog and forum which can be found on the site.  One of his recent forum posts has good ideas on how to protect yourself while at dialysis.