Articles and Information: Happiness > Emotion
A Family Affair
The transplant doctor called a meeting for my whole family and told us that since I was AB positive, I was easy to match and they were all possible donors. So who would donate? The doctor helped us make a decision. My daughter was not the top choice because she might still have more children, so he suggested my oldest son, Robert, be tested and my other son, Michael, be the second choice.
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A Nephrologist as a Cancer Patient Finds Enlightenment in a Support Group
Lessons learned about health and illness came not from an extremely busy nephrology practice, but, for me, from becoming a sarcoma (cancer) patient. It started in my thigh but metastasized to my lungs. After intensive chemotherapy and two major chest surgeries, I had a new respect for health, and realized that the experience of battling malignancy paralleled that of being a kidney patient. In fact, my dialysis and transplant patients were my source of inspiration, and still are.
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Adapting to ESRD and Dialysis: Emotional Wellness is a Key to Renal Rehabilitation
While people with ESRD [end-stage renal disease] face many physical and emotional changes related to their disease and its treatments, strategies for coping do exist. The basis for successful adjustment includes two key elements: optimal clinical care to improve how patients feel, and rehabilitation management to improve their ability to function.
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Addiction and Kidney Disease (Podcast)
Drug and alcohol addiction is not a topic we hear much about in the kidney community. However, it is a very real issue for some people living with kidney disease and their families. Well discuss this topic head-on with Bobby Walker, a kidney patient who has walked this difficult and painful path. This is one story you must hear.
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Caregivers - Who Loves Ya, Baby (Podcast)
This week Lori and Stephen visit with Lydia Weisman, licensed clinical social worker at South Valley Regional Dialysis Center, and Kay Goeden, caregiver to her husband Omer who is on dialysis, to talk about the importance of the caregivers in our lives. We throw our hats in the air to all of you who help us take care of ourselves! Listen with your favorite caregiver as we appreciate those who help us live healthier, happier lives. Taking care of loved ones can be a very difficult role. Sometimes we forget we’re all on the same side as we struggle through living with chronic illness. We'll discuss the issues those who take care of us have to deal with and offer tips for caregivers to take care of themselves.
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Coming Full Circle
Because of the gifts I found deeply buried in the treasure chest of kidney failure, I will never, ever forget that I am to turn around and help those coming up behind me, so that they can turn around and help those coming up behind them, who can then turn around and help those coming up behind them.
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Confessions of a Fashion Princess (Podcast)
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.
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Don't Sweat the Kidney Stuff! (Podcast)
On this week’s show, Lori Hartwell and Stephen Furst speak with Howard Feinberg--a dialysis social worker, psychotherapist, and kidney patient who, having been a patient for more than 25 years, can speak from a position of authority when it comes to dealing with the myriad of emotions that go hand in hand with chronic kidney disease. Do you ever get the blues? Do you ever feel down and out? Do fear and denial keep you from learning about your illness? Take comfort... you’re not alone. These emotions are common, normal, and even expected when dealing with a chronic illness. Even longtime patients such as Lori (who’s survived kidney disease for 38 years!) still go through the emotional ups and downs. “When I get my lab results and my creatinine is normal, I have a sense of relief,” says Lori. “But leading up to that, I’m still nervous and anxious.”
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Finding the Funny
There is nothing funny about being sick, or is there? The answer is yes and no. Surely, it's no fun having an illness, but it can be far more bearable when viewed from a humorous perspective. In fact, many professional comedians have taken real life tragedies and turned them into comedy gold. Richard Prior's bit about experiencing a heart attack is one of the funniest I've ever heard. Louie Anderson tells of growing up with an alcoholic father and he brings down the house. Robert Schimmel's routine on surviving cancer has been called "simply hilarious."
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For the Love of Pets (Podcast)
Have you ever thought about talking with the animals, like Eddie Murphy did in the movie "Dr. Doolittle"? Maybe you already do. And if you're like Lori, who has an African gray parrot named Johnny, then you have a pet who will talk back! All pets have a way of barking, cawing, meowing, and simply snuggling their way into our hearts. And that's a good thing, according to certified pet therapist Deb Hurdle
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Four Things That Matter Most
Not long ago, I heard a powerful song. In it, a man shares with his friend some insights about living that he learned while facing death. Paraphrased, he learned to love deeper, speak sweeter, and give the forgiveness he had been denying others. He expressed his hope that his friend would learn to live these truths while he still had life.
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Holding Infinity in Their Palms: An Ode to Dialysis Patients
Time spent on dialysis is long, 12-to-15 hours a week, plus transportation between home and the dialysis unit; or setting and cleaning the machine if they perform the treatment at home. And, frequently, they feel tired and fatigued after treatment because of the rapid shift in body chemical composition and change in fluid volume. Many of them are in the hospital a lot of times for repeated infections or clotting of the bloodline, or for heart disease and shortness of breath.
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How to Deal with Difficult Staff (Podcast)
Do you smell microwave popcorn while at dialysis? Has a nurse or technician yelled at you because of your fluid intake? Is waiting in the lobby for 30 minutes or more for your dialysis appointment acceptable? Listen to this weeks show as social worker, Ramiro Valdez, Ph.D gives advice to Lori and Stephen about how to deal with these and other situations. Learn that the staff is sometimes afraid of the patients, just as the patients are afraid of the staff.
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If You Could Read My Mind, Love
So many times I wish my wife could have read my mind. How much easier that would have been! Despite our closeness, despite the extraordinary number of hours spent together on my dialysis nights, despite long rambling conversations about everything and nothing, she still wasn't privy to all my thoughts.
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Interview with the Healthcare Professional - Caregivers Appreciated
Chicken Soup Author LeAnn Thieman, RN, Believes That Dialysis and Other Chronic Illness Caregivers Should Be ‘Honored and Appreciated’
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Just an Annoyance: Confronting the Dialysis 'Baggage'
When faced with a chronic disease, every person reacts differently. Becoming “the patient” is never as simple as lying down and gracefully submitting to whatever treatment is recommended. Entering the world of ongoing illness, we drag along a conglomeration of baggage—upbringing, past experience, relationships, culture, religion, and fears.
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Keeping a Positive Attitude (Podcast)
Determination and a positive attitude make for a great winning team. This week on KidneyTalk Lori and Stephen visit with Jim Dineen, a fellow kidney patient, who knows something about determination and a positive attitude. When Jim inquired about a kidney transplant, he was turned down twice. But he didn’t allow that to stop him. Neither did the near death experience nor the…From Vietnam in the 60’s to kidney failure in the 90’s, Jim has always checked his attitude and maintained a hopeful outlook. He hasn’t let the obstacles in life stop him from living. He says, “I have, for many years, tried to live my life by these words: ‘If you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right!’” Jim thinks he can and he proves it with his unbeatable optimism, which is why we think he’s a winner! Tune your dial to KidneyTalk and hear Jim’s encouraging story.
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Know Your True Colors (Podcast)
Lori Hartwell and Stephen Furst talk about what color they are and the differences in people’s personalities with Bill Gallagher. With 25 years of experience counseling and professionally working with people, Bill has become a sought after motivational speaker, conducting conferences, retreats, and seminars on personality issues, conflict, and achieving success. Bill says; "Understanding personality differences is critical in healthcare... it teaches you to have more tolerance and understanding for people not like you." Based on the theory by the 'Father of Medicine', Hippocrates, 300 B.C, there are 4 types of personalities. Learn about what color you are and find out more about personalities strengths and weaknesses.
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Laughing Through the Illness (Podcast)
On this week’s show, Lori Hartwell and Stephen Furst visit with comedian Howie Mandel (pictured right), host of NBC’s new hit game show “Deal or No Deal.” Laughing in the midst of tough situations may not come naturally for everyone, but a good sense of humor can definitely help lighten the mood. Oftentimes, humor is just the medicine we need.
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Laughter is Cheap Medicine
Months went by, and no laughter—only pills, doctors, and the harmonious beep-beep of the machines. I felt fragile, and worst of all, sick.
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Living the Writing Life and Being a Peritoneal Dialysis Patient
As someone who has written 43 books down through the years, I am seen as having some sort of supernatural gift. Instead, I started out at least as wide of the mark as Austin and his basketball. With practice, I grew faster and more accurate. Skill? Intellect? I wish I had a lot of either. What I do have is tenacity, the belief that, by now, I can hit some sort of literary basket every time I shoot.
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Love, Marriage, and Yes...Dialysis
Every story has a beginning as does every relationship. For Cyndi and me, it began in high school after I had been diagnosed with glomular nephritis at the age of 15. We met at our church’s youth group and I have always said that she had me from “Hello.” We went to prom together in 1985 as friends, but never crossed the line of friendship in high school
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Lucky Numbers (Podcast)
"You have to know your numbers," says Lori. No, she's not referring to the lotto, but to your real lucky numbers. The numbers that help keep you alive. Today, Mandy Trolinger, Renal Dietician and two-time transplant recipient talks about numbers and your diet. She says; "...By knowing your numbers you can be your own advocate, and prevent, or slow the progression of certain diseases and complications...It all starts with knowing your numbers."
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Managing Stress: What Kidney Patients, Family Members, and Caregivers Need to Know
Trying to replace what kidneys used to do requires hemodialysis treatments three times a week, or daily exchanges for the peritoneal dialysis patient, or a renal transplant. But dialysis is just the beginning. There are daily medicines, dietary restrictions, fluid limitations, and financial burdens that accompany dialysis treatments. This can result in extreme emotional stress.
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My Terrific 'Normal' Life
I was born June 13, 1970 in Houston, Texas, a healthy, “normal” baby girl. At age 3, my family moved to Kenner, Louisiana, outside New Orleans. As a child, I loved sports. I played volleyball, basketball, and softball. I was best at softball. I played each summer in a neighborhood league. One of my childhood friends that I played with, Paige Weber, was the best in the league. She went on to play softball on a statewide level
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Overcoming the Stumbling Blocks of Kidney Disease
Did you ever think life just wasn't treating you right? Maybe things were just going along great and the Boom!--something happens to change your entire life's focus. Maybe you thought you had a handle on a particular problem or issue, and then one little change turns your world upside down.
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Perceptions: Images in a House of Mirrors
The misconceptions about dialysis can be repetitive, frustrating, and nowhere near reality. So what can we, as patients or family members, do to counter these distorted images? Think Education, Attitude, Communication, Humor! “EACH” of us can reflect an image that will help portray dialysis in a more positive light.
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Pet Therapy: Wagging Tails Come to You
Not only is a warm fuzzy face or a wagging tail a friendly distraction, but spending time with therapy animals can actually have physical benefits as well. Studies have shown that interacting with animals can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and stress, and generally calm a person. As a dog, cat, or other animal offers loving and empathetic support, it also helps aid healing.
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Seize the Day: Coping With Dialysis
Your social worker is an advocate for you and is there to help you. Discuss with him/her any issues you may have regarding dialysis or receiving a transplant.
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Shedding a Light On Depression (Podcast)
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.
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Spring Fling: Earning Your Dialysis Dollars
"Have you earned your Dialysis Dollars today?"
That was a common question heard throughout the Jane Phillips Dialysis Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. We began this motivational program for our patients in November 2006. The social worker and dietitian worked together to develop a way to involve patients in their own healthcare and well-being. Our goal was to get as many patients as possible interested in their lab work and attitude in an effort to improve their health, increase happiness, and encourage hope.
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The Good Dialysis Index
The "Good Dialysis Index" (GDI) potentially offers a more humane model of the dialysis patient as a whole. The GDI design attempts to mirror more closely the things that matter - not only to the nephrologist but to the patient - in the delivery of 'good dialysis'. Certainly, it serves this aim better than does the urea-centric, mathematically limited concept of Kt/V, restricted as it is to the narrow confines of small solute clearance. The GDI remains to be rigorously tested and validated as a predictive tool in the dialysis population, but it has certainly been simple and quick and easily applied when run against a small pilot patient group.
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The Renal Teen Prom-Part 1 (Podcast)
This week we will feature the first part of a two part series: Renal Teen Prom 2007. This week Lori and Stephen visit with the teens, volunteers, and guests at RSN’s 8th annual Renal Teen Prom. Next week we’ll visit with the celebrities who came and lent their support to this great cause. The gymnasium at Notre Dame High School—the site of the prom—was transformed into a “Midnight at the Oasis,” this year’s theme, complete with beautiful palm trees, delicious renal-friendly food, and of course, kids, kids, kids. Over 350 teens and their guests attended this year! Without the help of the senior student body of Notre Dame High School this event simply would not be as successful as it has been. They selflessly gave of their time to help make one special night come to life for the young kidney patients.
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The Renal Teen Prom-Part 2 (Podcast)
This is the second part of our two part series on RSN's 8th annual Renal Teen Prom. Last week we visited with the teens, guests, and volunteers. This week Lori and Stephen talk with the great celebrities who came out and lent their support to this fantastic event. The teens were excited to have the chance to mingle with the celebs and collect their autographs. The prom just wouldn't be the same without the wonderful support of the stars! The locale of the prom-Notre Dame High School-came alive with guest appearances by Sinbad, Alexa Vega, Gary Sinise, John McCook, Christy Carlson Romano, and the LA Clippers Dance team.
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To Live or Die (Podcast)
As if someone was directing an award winning dramatic film, Dawn found herself in the same shoes as her brother. Dawn says; "I was more afraid of dialysis and kidney disease than I was afraid of dying." Dawn chose the no treatment option, which left her with 3 - 6 months to live. She soon realized the hardest part of her decision was living in the guilt of looking at her family and knowing the pain that she was causing. But as Dawn says; "Tremendous amount of fear will make you choose things over guilt."
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Valerie's Story
My introduction to ESRD first occurred when I was in the ER and the attending Physician came into my "room" patted me on my knee and ever so nicely asked me, "Have we ever had renal failure before?" To which I sarcastically quipped, "No, WE have not"! That twisted sense of humor was to be my saving grace throughout my forthcoming journey.
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