Hi I'm Laura with the Sodexo distance cohort. I was fortunate enough to complete my clinical rotation at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, California. This is a large acute care facility that has over 400 beds. It's a very busy place and there is always something exciting going on!
Ever since my human physiology class, I have been fascinated by kidney function and the effects of CKD on people's lives. I have always hoped to work with dialysis patients at some point in my career. Fortunately for me, the facility I was at performs kidney transplants! I was lucky enough to attend a multi-disciplinary meeting where the candidates for a kidney transplant are discussed and put on an approved list for transplant. The process in which the team determines the acceptable parameters for a transplant was fascinating. Did you know that 5% of people with diabetes end up needing dialysis? And 40% of patients on dialysis have diabetes? There is typically a wait time of anywhere from 6-10 years of time from beginning dialysis to actually receiving a kidney transplant. While the numbers seem grim, the success rate of kidney transplants is significant. This is wonderful option for a person who has kidney failure. Many patients are able to go from needing dialysis 3 or 4 times a week to living a somewhat normal life after transplant with their new kidney. A grim situation can be turned into a happy ending!
I had the opportunity to screen and to provide medical nutrition therapy to patients that were applying for a kidney transplant. It was fascinating to see their unique situations and to be able to give them advice for moving forward before and after transplant. Each patient had a different story and path that had gotten them to our room. One patient particularly stood out to me. He never had any chronic diseases, experienced liver failure from an accident, received a liver transplant and shortly after, had kidney failure. He was 65 years old and energetic with an upbeat, positive personality that lit up the room. Even though he had suffered tremendously for years from these ailments, he still persevered and remained cheerful. Those are the type of people who inspire me to always look for the positive and keep on smiling, no matter what life hands us!
Ever since my human physiology class, I have been fascinated by kidney function and the effects of CKD on people's lives. I have always hoped to work with dialysis patients at some point in my career. Fortunately for me, the facility I was at performs kidney transplants! I was lucky enough to attend a multi-disciplinary meeting where the candidates for a kidney transplant are discussed and put on an approved list for transplant. The process in which the team determines the acceptable parameters for a transplant was fascinating. Did you know that 5% of people with diabetes end up needing dialysis? And 40% of patients on dialysis have diabetes? There is typically a wait time of anywhere from 6-10 years of time from beginning dialysis to actually receiving a kidney transplant. While the numbers seem grim, the success rate of kidney transplants is significant. This is wonderful option for a person who has kidney failure. Many patients are able to go from needing dialysis 3 or 4 times a week to living a somewhat normal life after transplant with their new kidney. A grim situation can be turned into a happy ending!
I had the opportunity to screen and to provide medical nutrition therapy to patients that were applying for a kidney transplant. It was fascinating to see their unique situations and to be able to give them advice for moving forward before and after transplant. Each patient had a different story and path that had gotten them to our room. One patient particularly stood out to me. He never had any chronic diseases, experienced liver failure from an accident, received a liver transplant and shortly after, had kidney failure. He was 65 years old and energetic with an upbeat, positive personality that lit up the room. Even though he had suffered tremendously for years from these ailments, he still persevered and remained cheerful. Those are the type of people who inspire me to always look for the positive and keep on smiling, no matter what life hands us!
