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About Hannah Bracamonte

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So far Hannah Bracamonte has created 562 blog entries.

The Importance of Immunizations for People with Kidney Disease

2024-11-13T09:58:16-05:00November 4th, 2024|Categories: Dialysis, eNews, Hemodialysis, Home Hemodialysis, Immunizations, In-Center Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, Physical Health, Staying Healthy|

Living with kidney disease presents unique health challenges, including an increased susceptibility to infections. Immunizations play a crucial role in protecting people with kidney disease, including those on dialysis or with a kidney transplant, from preventable diseases. This article will discuss the importance of vaccines in general and those protecting against respiratory illness specifically, the risks associated with not being vaccinated, and concerns related to misinformation on vaccination decisions.

Support Groups

2024-10-03T11:11:20-04:00October 3rd, 2024|Categories: eNews, Quality of Life, Resources, Support|

Coping with a chronic disease is not an easy task! The journey is challenging, tiring, frustrating--often depressing, and lonely. One can feel that no one is experiencing or understanding their respective circumstances. A support group is a confidential and safe place to share with others, as well as a place to develop a special and unique comradery with those who participate. The Dialysis Patient Citizens Education Center formed a support group called the “Kidney Chat”. The group meets every second Tuesday at 2:00 pm EST via telephone. The telephone number is (866) 230-9002; the code is 420 835 078#. Various guests, [...]

Goals: The Secret Ingredient for Success

2024-09-23T13:56:06-04:00September 23rd, 2024|Categories: Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen, Uncategorized|

Eniola King, MPsy, PsyD Candidate, Institute for the Psychological Sciences Stacy Ogbeide, PsyD, ABPP, Board Certified Clinical Health Psychologist, UT Health San Antonio Goals, goals, and more goals – a topic important for those living with chronic kidney disease and going through dialysis. Self-management is one of the hallmarks of having a chronic disease, yet many people living with chronic conditions do not know where to start. If you feel stuck in the management of chronic kidney disease or your options are no longer working, setting goals that are “SMART,” or specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and [...]

My New Normal

2024-09-23T13:54:24-04:00September 23rd, 2024|Categories: Dialysis, Mental Health, Peritoneal Dialysis, Physical Health, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

By Karim Rattani, DPC Patient Ambassador My journey with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) has included much suffering, but it has also shaped me into a stronger, more loving man. Throughout all of it, I’ve adjusted to a “new normal” with ESRD and found that life can still be fulfilling and full of possibilities. I worked as a chauffeur and ran a public transportation Limousine service business just before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. Once the pandemic hit, most of the businesses were shutdown with an executive order and therefore I, like many others, also lost most [...]

Sometimes It’s a Blessing in Disguise

2024-09-23T13:54:22-04:00September 23rd, 2024|Categories: Dialysis, Hemodialysis, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Peritoneal Dialysis, Physical Health, Quality of Life, The Kidney Citizen|

By Layce Ryan, DPC Patient Ambassador I remember when I first learned about my kidney disease. I was a college student living in Kalamazoo, Michigan, when I suddenly fell very ill. After running some tests, the doctors diagnosed me with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a type of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is the early stages of full kidney failure, also known as End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). In an instant, my life changed dramatically, and I was faced with the reality that the worst was yet to come. It would be 10 years before I began dialysis [...]

Ask the Doctor September 2024

2024-09-23T13:54:19-04:00September 23rd, 2024|Categories: Dialysis, Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Medication, Physical Health, The Kidney Citizen|

Velma Scantlebury, MD, DPC Education Center Health Care Consultant 1. I have been on dialysis for three months. After treatment in the dialysis facility, I am tired and feel bloated. When will I begin to feel better? Dialysis removes excess fluid and waste products. This happens by shifting fluid from one compartment so that the dialysis process can remove the extra fluid. This «dialysis fatigue» is experienced by about 50% of patients. Anemia, electrolyte imbalance, and stress can also be contributors to the condition. Many recommend getting plenty of rest, eating more protein, eating a balanced diet, and [...]

I Can Do Anything I Set My Mind To

2024-09-23T13:54:16-04:00September 23rd, 2024|Categories: Nutrition, Peritoneal Dialysis, The Kidney Citizen|

By Stephanie Dixon, DPC Patient Ambassador When I was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in 2001, I felt like my life was over. Many newly diagnosed ESRD patients share this fear, but it's possible to live a full and happy life on dialysis. While ESRD requires adjusting to a "new normal," this journey provides opportunities for growth and valuable lessons. When I was first diagnosed with ESRD in 2001, I was immediately concerned for my two children, Jason and Joy. As the year passed, my body shut down, and I could no longer walk. Finally, I [...]

DPC’s 2024 Advocacy Day and 20th Anniversary Celebration

2024-09-23T13:54:12-04:00September 23rd, 2024|Categories: Costs for Treatment, Dialysis, Hemodialysis, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Peritoneal Dialysis, Quality of Life, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

Megan Hashbarger, DPC Vice President of Government Relations This past May, DPC hosted our annual Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., where we brought together patients, family members, and care givers to meet with their Members of Congress to elevate the patient story for dialysis patients. This year, we had 65 advocates attend, representing 25 states, who had almost 80 Congressional meetings. Our patients spoke to Congressional offices asking them to support H.R. 6860 – The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act and H.R. 5027/S. 4469 – The Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act. These two [...]

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