By Miriam Lippel Blum
Here are the CKD related blogs updated since my last report on 10/4. 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 Looking at recent data from the NIH, Bill notes seasonal patterns in people transitioning to needing either dialysis or transplant and wonders why that is; Bill announces a Renal Support Network (RSN) Patient Lifestyle Meeting (PLM) that has a great program planned, to be held on October 17 in Seattle. Registration is free and can be done online (PDF file); Bill agrees with suggestions for patient empowerment discussed in The Atlantic's article Power to the Patients and contends that offering financial incentives will go a long way to improving patient performance and outcomes; Bill comments on a survey that showed that transplant surgeons disapproved of cash payments to organ donors but would consider insurance premium payments acceptable; Bill was impressed and moved by Keith Olbermann's commentary on healthcare reform and reflects on how different the values of the current Senate are from the one in 1972 that passed the dialysis entitlement.
- Kamal Shah's Blog Kamal shares details and photos from his trip to Vizag and Araku.
- Kaply, Inc. Tracy got her new Terry Pratchett book and has put everything on hold while she reads it.
- Toastiest Toastie's dog, Herman, is developing tolerance for other dogs; is concerned about speeding buses; reviews his interests over the last five years.
- Hasten down the wire Michael critiques Dan Gilmor's new rules for journalism.
- Becky Perry shares some website links she likes; reviews Extraordinary by John Bevere; struggles with the difficulties CKD has brought to her life and finds hope and strength in her faith despite it all.
- Life on dialysis ... and now life after my transplant! Holly's brother had a serious bicycle accident and surgery but he's doing better now; announces a star-studded fundraiser for Live Life Then Give Life to honor her friend, Jess, that will take place on the evening of October 16th in London; Holly gets another award.
- On the Road to a Cure reports that a national health care consulting firm issued recommendations on ways to overcome the barriers that have obstructed lupus drug development; Lupus Foundation of America's Work Disability / SSDI / Health Insurance Webchat will be on October 14, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time, with guest expert. Sheri Abrams.
- Really, I'm as Old as I Feel? has a cute photo of his daughter, Abby.
- I Am. Are you? The Donate Life Illinois Campus Challenge begins today, has links to participating colleges; Julie shares the latest chapter from the Illinois Donor Diaries about her late husband, who was a transplant recipient.
- Kevin’s Blog Kevin describes his excitement with the new Bible class he is taking.
- Life on Dialysis Saamir reflects on what he has learned in his two years of blogging; shares photos and describes a trip to an unusual fort.
- Dialysis Postings couldn't get to dialysis because of the flooding in Manila, stresses the importance of being prepared for emergencies.
- Chronic Chick Talk has a music video of I love Lucy, Babalu; her auto insurance premium goes up so she's shopping for a less expensive company; cold weather makes it hard for her to get out of bed; doesn't like looking in the mirror because of weight changes; got her flu shot but is not going to get the H1N1 vaccine.
- Bud's Ramblings has more photos from the family cookout
- Precious Bodily Fluids has a link to a good online resource for evaluating proteinuria in pregnancy.
- Renal Fellow Network A recent study provides evidence that Cystatin C, a cysteine protease inhibitor, does a better job of predicting mortality than creatinine; notes the impact of the work of the current American Nobel Prize in Medicine winners on renal carcinoma; discusses a review article entitled "Can we personalize treatment for kidney diseases?"that explores the application of genomic and molecular data to better target the delivery of health care, facilitate the discovery and clinical testing of new products, and help determine a person's predisposition to a particular disease or condition
- Uremic Frost notes the controversy over the flu vaccines this season and that Fresenius has goals to offer to vaccinate 100 percent of its patients and health care workers.
- Renal tsar's blog clarifies a policy regarding the pneumococcal vaccine for people diagnosed with CKD.
- Diario de diálisis Crónicas (en Español) Journal dialysis - Chronicles (Google translated from Spanish)Alejandro shares a letter from a brave and determined dialyzor in Peru who got a scholarship to study in Europe and is going to go even though affording dialysis while he is there will be a tremendous financial challenge.
- pkdmom2five shares Nicholas Kristof's NY Times editorial about how sometimes donating a kidney to a relative can end in losing health insurance; a message to abusive pastors.
- Dialysis and Me has an update and pictures of his true scale space marine project; shares a link to a blog he finds inspirational; decides he is going to get a job and videoblog's his day's activities turning in job applications. (I hope the Game Boy store calls, you'd be perfect for that!)
- Kidney Notes - Exploring the Intersection of Medicine and Technology HealthGrades makes it difficult for physicians to edit their info; a New York Health Department study shows how blended drinks from coffee chains foster calorie overload. (I had no idea that a large Dunkin’ Donuts Vanilla Bean Coolatta (32 oz) would set you back 860 calories! Scary!)
- Mid-life ramblings Dianne shares a religious video; is home after NxStage home HD training, it was hard at first but she is now feeling more confident, got support from NxStageUsers Forum, still struggling financially, but feels blessed, nonetheless.
- The inner game of PKD Exploring how you characterize yourself can lead to new insights.
- Nathan's PKD Nathan has been sick for a week and was tested for CMV virus, results expected Friday.
- I need a kidney Jason gets a permacath (Hickman catheter) for dialysis access and treatment is imminent, he wonders about showering with the catheter. (Take a look at CoverCath for help with the showering problem.)
- Jenna Franks Jenna and her Mom are staying near the Eiffel Tower and having a great time in Paris, has a link to photos.
- PKD World reprints Nicholas Kristof's NY Times article "Dad's Life? Or Yours?; reports on new and upcoming treatments for PKD.
- Biologically Safe Water Filters Using ultrapure water, will allow dialysis clinics to lower their cost per treatment by saving on EPO needs.
- Encompass Network Partners has an article on peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and limb loss.
- Kidney Community Emergency Response Philips Corp. announced that it is voluntarily recalling approximately 5,400 HeartStart FR2+ automated external defibrillators (AEDs). This recall is being conducted due to the possibility of a memory chip failure that may render the device inoperable.
- NephrOnline Blogs Mark Neumann reports that the National Renal Administrators Association (NRAA) conference starting this week will be focused on the issues and problems engendered by the new bundling proposal.
- Renal BizBlog has a link to an extensive interview session with Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. In short, Fauci is the government's point man for tracking H1N1 and finding the answers in combating it.
- Kim Hoben's Blog Kim walks and raises $1000 in the Kidney Walk, while she appreciate heartwarming stories about transplants she feels that if people really knew how awful in-center dialysis is they would be more disposed to signing up for organ donation.
Comments