From Herald Journal, Wellsville, Utah, By Amy Macavinta
During the summer of 2013, Noreen Pollard and her two kids moved across the country from Mississippi to Utah. She was recently divorced, and her name had been added to a nationwide organ transplant list — it was a good time to return to Utah.
Pollard was born in Ogden and has family in the area, but she said she felt drawn to Wellsville, which worked out nicely because her daughter was able to transfer her studies to Utah State University.
However, when she moved into her cozy little home on Center Street, she never dreamed her future kidney donor lived just two doors down.
“I think we were led here,” she said.
Now 45 years old, Pollard was diagnosed at 32 with polycystic kidney disease, an inherited disorder that causes non-cancerous cysts to develop inside the kidneys, interfering with the body’s ability to dispose of toxins and eventually leading to kidney failure.
By the time she moved to Utah, Pollard was experiencing a near-constant pain, especially in her right kidney. She described it as a dull, throbbing ache with periodic sharp stabs. Her blood pressure was elevated, she was tired all the time, and she said she often lived in a fog she couldn’t quite describe — all common responses to the toxins in the body.
For two and a half years, Pollard hooked herself up to a machine every night at bedtime for peritoneal dialysis, a process that helped her body get rid of those toxins while she slept.
In November, the congregation in Pollard’s LDS ward held a special fast for her, but two days later, Pollard said she learned her liver was not looking good, and doctors wanted to do a biopsy — putting her kidney opportunities on hold temporarily.
Pollard’s kidney donor, Heidi Gordon of Wellsville, says she is fortunate — she has the ability to stay home and care for her family. [Read more]
Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas, By MARC RAMIREZ
A quarter-century apart, Moses Cabrera and son Moses Jr. had kidney transplants, performed by the same surgeon. This Father’s Day, the two will toast each other’s health — and recall the health scares that brought them closer together.
They share the name Moses, and from there the similarities just keep going: They dress alike, have similar parenting styles and when prompted by a memory, they’ll both break into song.
They’re men of few words and great faith. And a quarter-century apart, Moses Cabrera and son Moses Cabrera Jr. both had kidney transplants, performed by the same surgeon.
This Father’s Day, the two will toast each other’s health — and recall the health scares that brought them closer together.
“It’s just amazing that we both had to go through this,” says the elder Cabrera, a retired postal carrier. “But God has been good to us.”
Both have been separately diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, a mostly hereditary condition that causes cysts to form around the kidney, limiting and eventually destroying its function. It affects about 500,000 people nationwide.
The two Cabreras, like gym partners, encourage each other to pursue healthy habits, take their medications and stay the course.
“Not a day goes by that it’s not in my head,” Cabrera Jr. said. “We ask each other, ‘How you feeling?’ Or ‘Are you drinking plenty of water?’”
The experience has given them even more in common, a relationship that amazes Cabrera’s wife, Mary Ann.
“I always tell Moses — that’s not his son, that’s his clone.”
Family trait
In the mid-1950s, Cabrera’s own father died of kidney failure at age 43, but little was known about the disease, known as PKD, and its genetic nature.
As a result, Cabrera, now 70, said he lived carelessly, even as his brother and sister succumbed to the disease.
He rarely checked his blood pressure. At work, he started blacking out for a split second — and then he’d gather himself.
When the dizzy spells started, wife Mary Ann made him go to the doctor. Blood tests told the story: He had PKD. [Read more]
Kidney Dialysis
From KLS, Salt Lake City, Utah, By Suzanne Carlile
Hundreds of thousands of Americans with kidney failure undergo dialysis treatments to keep them alive. While their reasons for needing the treatment can vary widely, many patients with kidney failure ultimately face the same dialysis decision.
Here's what you need to know:
What is dialysis?
When your kidneys fail, your body cannot filter toxins, regulate body fluids, or sustain electrolyte balance vital to survival. Dialysis takes the place of kidney function by cleaning a person's blood.
The first successful dialysis machine, or “artificial kidney,” was invented in 1945 by Willem Johan Kolff, then a doctoral student at the University of Groningen in Holland. Today, about 450,000 Americans are on dialysis,according to the National Kidney Foundation.
Dialysis is used as a bridge to kidney transplant, in recovery from acute kidney failure, or for an end-of-life, life-sustaining purpose. In general, life expectancy after starting dialysis is five years.
Who gets dialysis treatment?
The No. 1 reason a person needs dialysis treatment is kidney failure due to diabetes. The disease is responsible for 44 percent of all dialysis patients’ kidney failure, according to the U.S. Renal Data System's 2013 Annual Data Report.
The report names the second-largest group of dialysis patients, at 28 percent, as people with kidney failure due to high blood pressure. Other conditions often leading to dialysis treatment are glomerulonephritis, polycystic disease, kidney inflammation, genetics, auto-immune disease, drug use, etc.
Signs and symptoms of kidney failure are often hard to pinpoint because they mimic multiple other medical conditions. For early detection, lab testing should be part of your yearly physical. By analyzing a person's blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, a doctor will be able to determine the level of kidney function.
Patients who have lost more than 75 percent of their kidney function are often referred for dialysis treatment. The worse your kidney function is, the more complications you will have.
The decision to undergo dialysis treatments is the first and most important discussion you will have to make with your health care provider, and you should understand doing so will complicate any other medical problems you have.
Realities of dialysis treatment
It’s important to note dialysis is not a cure for kidney failure. Dialysis is a life-support treatment — without functioning kidneys you cannot live. [Read more]
Home Town Help
Enid News, Oklahoma, by Cass Rains
Golf tournament to aid woman to raise funds for kidney transplant
Registration still is open for the Spare Parts Golf Tournament next month to help an Enid woman raise funds for a kidney transplant.
Four years ago, Melissa Thomas was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease and told she would need a kidney transplant.
The disease causes the kidneys to swell, and because the kidneys control so much in the rest of the body, it causes multiple complications, such as liver cysts, heart problems and brain aneurysms.
Last July, Thomas was referred for a transplant. Because polycystic kidney disease, or PKD, has no cure, it is the only way to save her life.
Before she can receive a transplant, Thomas must raise $20,000.
The costs mostly are associated with two months of medication, totaling about $12,000, and for a four-week stay in a post-surgery recovery facility.
The tournament is set for July 11 at Meadowlake Golf Course. Registration is $75 for individuals, with $40 tax deductible, and $300 for a foursome, with $160 tax-deductible. Hole sponsorships are available for $150 and are entirely tax-deductible.
Registration can be done at bit.ly/ sparepartsgolftournament.
Donations also can be made by visiting Thomas’ HelpHopeLive campaign at m.helph opelive.org/campaign/6162.
From WSBT Channel 22, CBS Affiliate Elkhart, Indiana, by Zach Crenshaw
Local family uses moving billboard to search for kidney
Four years ago, Melissa Thomas was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease and told she would need a kidney transplant.
The disease causes the kidneys to swell, and because the kidneys control so much in the rest of the body, it causes multiple complications, such as liver cysts, heart problems and brain aneurysms.
Last July, Thomas was referred for a transplant. Because polycystic kidney disease, or PKD, has no cure, it is the only way to save her life.
Before she can receive a transplant, Thomas must raise $20,000.
The costs mostly are associated with two months of medication, totaling about $12,000, and for a four-week stay in a post-surgery recovery facility.
The tournament is set for July 11 at Meadowlake Golf Course. Registration is $75 for individuals, with $40 tax deductible, and $300 for a foursome, with $160 tax-deductible. Hole sponsorships are available for $150 and are entirely tax-deductible.
Registration can be done at bit.ly/ sparepartsgolftournament.
Donations also can be made by visiting Thomas’ HelpHopeLive campaign at m.helph opelive.org/campaign/6162.
From WSBT Channel 22, CBS Affiliate Elkhart, Indiana, by Zach Crenshaw
Local family uses moving billboard to search for kidney
A local family with a history of kidney disease is going to great lengths to try and find one.
The dialysis machine casts a perpetual shadow over Kim Lara’s life. “Basically, when I started dialysis, my life stopped,” she said. Every four hours she has to be home to plug in for treatment.
“I can’t do anything, I can’t go anywhere.”
The reason for the pain is Polycystic Kidney Disease, which Kim has had since she was 11 years old.
“I was one of the youngest ever diagnosed,” she said. In December, she had to have one of her enlarged kidneys removed. “It was the largest one they had ever seen,” Kim said. “A normal kidney weights about five ounces, and mine weighed right about 10 pounds when it was in me and I still have the other kidney and it’s just as large.”
The removed kidney was so large the doctor actually submitted it to the Guiness World Book of Records.
With stage 5 renal failure, Kim needs a transplant to survive. Her family has been disqualified, including her husband who was a perfect match. “He went through all the testing and everything was going great. Then at the last test they found out he had a heart valve problem,” Kim said.
After being ruled out, Kim’s family came up with another plan. “We put a billboard on our cars. It says ‘Need a kidney for my daughter, my sister, my mom, my wife’ – depending on whose car it is,” said Brenda Richards, Kim’s mom.
Their moving billboards are an outward expression of their love for Kim.
“Wherever our cars have been, [the hospital has] gotten phone calls wanting to know more information,” said Richards. Kim’s mom and daughter have the same disease. “My brother donated to me nine years ago and he said it was the greatest experience of his entire life,” said Brenda.
But now, Kim’s mom can only watch as her daughter waits in pain. "It's just heartbreaking because you feel helpless, because I don't have any of my kidneys." Strong in her faith, Kim continues to hook up to her machine every four hours, but she's hoping her signs will be a sign for someone else to come forward and change her life again.
"I'll get my life back. I'll be able to take a walk with my husband."
Kim's blood type is A positive, so all 'A' and 'O' blood types are matches for her. If you're interested in donating on behalf of Kim, call Lutheran Hospital at 260-435-7209. If you would like to donate privately, contact zcrenshaw@wsbt.com to get in contact with the family.
You can learn more about Kim and her journey through her Facebook page, Kidney Search for Kim.
Rust, who is hooked up to dialysis at night and works during the day, also has heart disease.
An offering at the door will cover spaghetti, garlic bread, dessert and a beverage. Donations may also be made at Union Bank and Trust or at www.gofundme.com/nnfg4c.
PKD Awareness
Growing up, Jeff Robertson knew his mother was being held captive by a powerful force.
From an early age, he witnessed her struggles. He was born on Oct. 28, 1981 to Jan Robertson.
Not long after, her liver enlarged to 40 pounds because of cysts. “She looked nine months pregnant for the first 15 years of my life,” Robertson said. ‘It is a great step forward. Prior to that, there were no options available.’ In part, because of the weight she was already carrying, she often couldn’t pick up her two young children.
The Richmond Hill resident was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease after having her first child — Robertson’s sister — in 1979. “Little was known in the medical community about the disease and we didn’t know anyone who had it,” said Robertson, now 33.
Polycystic kidney disease affects an estimated one in 500 people. Kidneys are usually the most severely affected organs, but the disease can cause cysts to develop in your liver and elsewhere in the body.
Growing up, Robertson did his best to help fight his mother’s disease. His school projects usually focused on the genetics of polycystic kidney disease.
He sold bags of peanuts and candy to benefit first the Kidney Foundation of Canada and later the foundation his mother created — the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation of Canada in 1993.
Robertson has been executive director of the foundation since June 2008. The foundation promotes research, advocacy and education programs in the hopes of discovering treatments and a cure for polycystic kidney disease and to improve the lives of all it affects. This past year has been a big boost for the cause.
In 2014, Health Canada recognized Sept. 4 as National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day.
At the end of February of this year, Health Canada approved an oral medication, called Jinarc, to help adult patients combat the disease. It slows progression of kidney enlargement and protects kidneys from damage and failure.
“It is a great step forward. Prior to that, there were no options available,” Robertson said.
Three and a half years ago, Jeff Robertson made his own important discovery. He and his sister were genetically tested for polycystic kidney disease. Neither carries the gene. Meanwhile, the foundation is looking to set up its first York Region chapter, possibly this year, in Richmond Hill, where Ms Robertson still lives.
Robertson feels his work at the foundation is making a difference. “It (awareness) gets better every year,” he said. But he wants to emphasize that at the moment, there is no cure for this disease.
He is still hoping for more awareness of the disease and the foundation. “We want people to know we are here and ready to help in any way possible”.
To that end, he is walk co-ordinator for the 2015 Toronto PKD fundraising walk, with registration opening June 1.
Go to endpkd.ca for more info.
PKD Research
From University of Groningen, Netherlands, Research Database
Urine and Plasma Osmolality in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Reliable Indicators of Vasopressin Activity and Disease Prognosis?
Vasopressin plays an essential role in osmoregulation, but has deleterious effects in patients with ADPKD. Increased water intake to suppress vasopressin activity has been suggested as a potential renoprotective strategy. This study investigated whether urine and plasma osmolality can be used as reflection of vasopressin activity in ADPKD patients. Methods: We measured urine and plasma osmolality, plasma copeptin concentration, total kidney volume (TKV, by MRI) and GFR (I-125-iothalamate). In addition, change in estimated GFR (eGFR) during follow-up was assessed. Results: Ninety-four patients with ADPKD were included (56 males, age 40 +/- 10, mGFR 77 +/- 32 ml/min/1.73 m(2), TKV 1.55 (0.99-2.40) l. Urine osmolality, plasma osmolality and copeptin concentration were 420 +/- 195, 289 +/- 7 mOsmol/l and 7.3 (3.2-14.6) pmol/l, respectively. Plasma osmolality was associated with copeptin concentration (R = 0.54, p <0.001), whereas urine osmolality was not (p = 0.4). In addition, urine osmolality was not associated with TKV (p = 0.3), in contrast to plasma osmolality (R = 0.52, p <0.001) and copeptin concentration (R = 0.61, p <0.001). Fifty-five patients were followed for 2.8 +/- 0.8 years. Baseline plasma and urine osmolality were not associated with change in eGFR (p = 0.6 and p = 0.3, respectively), whereas baseline copeptin concentration did show an association with change in eGFR, in a crude analysis (St. beta = -0.41, p = 0.003) and also after adjustment for age, sex and TKV (St. beta = -0.23, p = 0.05). Conclusions: These data suggest that neither urine nor plasma osmolality are valid measures to identify ADPKD patients that may benefit from increasing water intake. Copeptin appears a better alternative for this purpose.
From an early age, he witnessed her struggles. He was born on Oct. 28, 1981 to Jan Robertson.
Not long after, her liver enlarged to 40 pounds because of cysts. “She looked nine months pregnant for the first 15 years of my life,” Robertson said. ‘It is a great step forward. Prior to that, there were no options available.’ In part, because of the weight she was already carrying, she often couldn’t pick up her two young children.
The Richmond Hill resident was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease after having her first child — Robertson’s sister — in 1979. “Little was known in the medical community about the disease and we didn’t know anyone who had it,” said Robertson, now 33.
Polycystic kidney disease affects an estimated one in 500 people. Kidneys are usually the most severely affected organs, but the disease can cause cysts to develop in your liver and elsewhere in the body.
Growing up, Robertson did his best to help fight his mother’s disease. His school projects usually focused on the genetics of polycystic kidney disease.
He sold bags of peanuts and candy to benefit first the Kidney Foundation of Canada and later the foundation his mother created — the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation of Canada in 1993.
Robertson has been executive director of the foundation since June 2008. The foundation promotes research, advocacy and education programs in the hopes of discovering treatments and a cure for polycystic kidney disease and to improve the lives of all it affects. This past year has been a big boost for the cause.
In 2014, Health Canada recognized Sept. 4 as National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day.
At the end of February of this year, Health Canada approved an oral medication, called Jinarc, to help adult patients combat the disease. It slows progression of kidney enlargement and protects kidneys from damage and failure.
“It is a great step forward. Prior to that, there were no options available,” Robertson said.
Three and a half years ago, Jeff Robertson made his own important discovery. He and his sister were genetically tested for polycystic kidney disease. Neither carries the gene. Meanwhile, the foundation is looking to set up its first York Region chapter, possibly this year, in Richmond Hill, where Ms Robertson still lives.
Robertson feels his work at the foundation is making a difference. “It (awareness) gets better every year,” he said. But he wants to emphasize that at the moment, there is no cure for this disease.
He is still hoping for more awareness of the disease and the foundation. “We want people to know we are here and ready to help in any way possible”.
To that end, he is walk co-ordinator for the 2015 Toronto PKD fundraising walk, with registration opening June 1.
Go to endpkd.ca for more info.
PKD Research
From University of Groningen, Netherlands, Research Database
Urine and Plasma Osmolality in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Reliable Indicators of Vasopressin Activity and Disease Prognosis?
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