Articles and Information: Happiness > Just for Fun
Are We Ready to Bundle? (Podcast)
Bundling is a type of reimbursement policy that will affect kidney patients. Dr. Lazarus explains "The concept of bundling is to put more things into the payment." Government sees bundling as a way to control costs. Lori compares it to a buffet, "and we have to make sure we don't leave dessert out." Patients need to understand if bundling takes place, how it will affect them and their dialysis facility.
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Bush Baby Travels the Globe - Learning about Love, Joy, and Support While Living with Kidney Failure
This is a story about a little stuffed koala bear-like animal that has traveled the globe to visit people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), bringing them love, joy, and support from fellow travelers with kidney failure. The tiny toy creature, called "Bush Baby," has journeyed to five continents, staying with one enthusiastic host or hostess after another.
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Can You See Me Now? Waiting Room Tactics to Help Get You Noticed
You rushed to get ready and fought traffic all the way to the doctor's office. You barely made it in time for your appointment and then there you are, an hour later, and you still haven't seen your doctor.
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Cartooning Around (Podcast)
Join Stephen and Lori as they visit with Bob Klein, a successful film and voice-over actor and longtime kidney patient. Stephen and Lori talk with Bob about being an actor in Hollywood while living with kidney disease, how it affects self-image, and when and how to tell people you have kidney disease. (Bob also breaks into some of his voices.) Listen in!
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Creating a Successful Community Event (Podcast)
Bill Peckham, longtime kidney patient, and Joyce Jackson, CEO of the Northwest Kidney Centers, are this week’s guests on KidneyTalk. Tune in as Lori and Stephen discuss with Joyce and Bill the success of the Family Health & Kidney Expo held annually in Seattle, WA, and find out how you too can create an educational kidney event in your own community.
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Educate Yourself With This Fun Dialysis Trivia Quiz-1
Test yourself with these entertaining questions about kidney disease.
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Exercise Program Tips for Dialysis Patients
Although you see your physician regularly to control your blood sugar and your BP, what are you doing to increase your physical activity? It is equally as important--and maybe even easier to control--than BP and blood sugar. You can be more physically active, and it may just save your life.
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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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Getting Well with Humor
If your doctor ever tells you to lighten up, do not be offended. Such a prescription may sound ridiculous, but research shows that laughter and a positive attitude can be healing. There’s nothing funny about kidney disease, but people are living happy, productive lives today because they learned to lighten up when things were not going as planned.
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Holiday of Hope at Staples Center
There were caramel apples and cookies to decorate, games to play and music to dance to, but the fun really started when world-famous comedian George Lopez and Los Angeles Lakers star Kwame Brown, hosts of the 3rd Annual Holiday of Hope at Staples Center, showed up to give interviews and autographs. Crowds of kids bombarded Kwame and George for autographs on programs, admittance tags, photos, t-shirts and even elbows-and to have their photos snapped with their heroes!
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Hope, Sprinkled with a Generous Dose of Humor, is How My Husband Dealt with Kidney Failure
It's no different in the world of kidney disease. Shortly before we met in 1967, my husband, Jerry, was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In 1980, he began a 25-year stint on home hemodialysis (HHD). During those years, he was a model for everything positive and hopeful about living well with CKD.
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How to Make the Holidays Hassle Free - and Add a Sprinkle of Joy!
The holidays can be full of joy and lasting memories. But they can also add stress in our lives, especially when we are balancing the many issues kidney disease brings to us. Here are a few suggestions on how to enjoy the holidays with fewer hassles:
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Jodi Picoult - Best Selling Author (Podcast)
“My Sister’s Keeper” is the story of a girl brought into this world to be an exact donor match for her ailing sister. Since birth, the girl has donated blood cells, stem cells, and bone marrow. At age 13, she’s told her sister needs a kidney transplant. But tiring of giving parts of her body to keep her sister alive, she hires a lawyer to sue her parents for medical emancipation.
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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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Lou Grant Rides Again in Nephrology, News and Issues (Podcast)
Mark Neumann is the Executive Editor of NNI, a position Stephen compared to the curmudgeonly but beloved character played by Ed Asner on TV. Find out directly from Mark how you as a patient can submit an article or write a letter to the editor, get the inner scoop on Mark’s favorite topics, the recent issues he has covered and what he has learned in over 18 years on the job. Get informed! Stay informed!
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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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Peter Quaife-Rock Star (Podcast)
Peter Quaife, a former member of the popular British rock group “The Kinks,” who began hemodialysis in 1998. To pass the time, Peter began drawing cartoons about what went on at his dialysis clinic. A collection of his cartoons was recently published under the title “The Lighter Side of Dialysis.”
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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 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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What Scares You about Kidney Disease (Podcast)
For our Halloween show, we sent out an e-mail asking people what scares them the most about kidney disease. (You guys really do exist out there in "Internet land" because we received a tremendous response!) Listen to the show to hear the top answers. What scares you? On this week's show, you'll also learn about renal-friendly Halloween treats. So, have a treat (watch the calories), listen to the show, and don’t let kidney disease scare you!
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