Nocturnal programs continue to grow!

Nighttime dialysis launched in Tennessee FMCNA successfully launched a nighttime dialysis program at the facility in Smyrna, Tenn. The service allows patients to receive treatments in the clinic for eight hours at night while sleeping or resting, three times a week. Laura Beach, RN, in photo, heads the Nocturnal program.

Michael Peoples used to receive life-sustaining dialysis treatments for four hours, three days a week.

Fresenius Medical Care North America, operator of the nation’s leading network of dialysis facilities, has launched a night-time dialysis program at Fresenius Medical Care Smyrna, according to a press release. The service allows patients to receive treatments in the clinic for eight hours at night while sleeping or resting, three times a week.

Dialysis is a process that cleans waste products from the blood, removes extra fluids, and controls the body’s chemistry when a person’s kidneys fail. Patients typically require treatment on an ongoing basis unless they receive a kidney transplant.
In addition to having their days free for other activities, patients often report having more energy and better dialysis results.

“Since I began dialyzing at night, I feel better and have more energy during the day,” said Peoples. “I love nighttime dialysis because when I wake up in the morning it doesn’t feel like I have had a dialysis treatment, I’m full of energy. The treatment is also spaced over a longer period of time, so it's easier on me physically.”

Clinical Manager Shannon McCurry said nocturnal dialysis can improve a patient’s overall quality of life.

“During the day, they may be able to work, spend more time with their families or enjoy their favorite hobbies,” she said.

For Peoples, that means being able to focus more on producing his own music.

Patient Champion Series: I wanted to share some of these awesome human stories that FMC has shared with me.

Marian Carr

Age 41 • Kansas City, Mo. • Featured on March 24, 2010 
Helping Other Patients With Ambitious Work Ethic
Marian Carr, a 41-year-old dialysis patient, was diagnosed with end stage renal disease (ESRD) in July 2002. She went on dialysis and shortly after regained her kidney function for nearly five years. Marian then returned back to dialysis in 2007, had an unsuccessful kidney transplant in 2009, and now receives in-center hemodialysis at Fresenius Medical Care Kansas City Dialysis. The cause of her kidney failure is unknown, although her father had kidney trouble too.
Despite her struggles with ESRD, Marian has persevered and continues to set and accomplish ambitious goals. She firmly believes that people should live the life they want to have, and not let health restrictions or setbacks get in the way.
Among many academic accomplishments, Marian completed her doctorate in psychology and obtained an International Counseling Certification from the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy – all while managing her dialysis schedule. As part of her doctoral thesis, she developed a counseling model for dialysis patients. Marian is currently active in two nonprofit organizations, as president of the local Minority Donor Awareness Group, and board chair of the Renaissance Education Group in Durham, N.C., which provides education programs for disadvantaged high school students.
To accommodate Marian’s rigorous schedule and numerous travels for work and vacation, she utilizes the Fresenius Medical Care Patient Travel Service. She has traveled all across the U.S., including trips to Dallas, New Orleans, Boston, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, California and North Carolina.
When she's not working, Marian enjoys reading and spending lots of time with her family. She is the eldest of four children and has two nieces and two nephews. This year, Marian and her friend have started a small business to provide counseling and training services for adults, and they plan on expanding it.

Patient Champion Series: I wanted to share some of these awesome human stories that FMC has shared with me.

Tanysha Pitts

Age 33 • Tampa, Fla. • Featured on March 23, 2010
Nighttime Dialysis Allows Patient to Dream Big

Tanysha Pitts, a 33-year-old Tampa, Fla., resident, is living her dream, and likes to spread the word that anything is possible on dialysis. Tanysha, who has had kidney failure for almost 20 years as a result of a case of prolonged strep throat, is an in-center nighttime dialysis patient at Fresenius Medical Care Tampa North. Her unique treatment schedule (dialyzing overnight), which she began in 2008, has enabled her to pursue her education as a full-time medical student at Sanford Brown Institute.
Tanysha's dedication to her studies as medical assistant and to her dialysis treatment inspires patients and staff alike at her facility. Her passion for the medical field and her goal to one day work with people with chronic illnesses stems from her personal experience with kidney disease. Tanysha says she sees many young people starting dialysis who feel their lives have changed forever, but she is there to tell them a different story. Tanysha talks to her fellow patients about their dialysis treatment options and encourages them to try the nighttime program, sharing her success on the treatment plan and how they can fulfill their own dreams.
Tanysha will graduate from Sanford Brown Institute with her medical assistant certification in late March 2010, and plans on pursuing another degree in nursing or social work. In addition to school, Tanysha enjoys cooking, spending time with her friends, volunteering at various organizations and attending church services.

Patient Champion Series: I wanted to share some of these awesome human stories that FMC has shared with me.

Anthony Lee                                                                    

Age 43 • Saginaw, Mich. • Featured on March 19, 2010
The More You Do, The Better You Feel
Anthony Lee is a 43-year-old dialysis patient from Saginaw, Mich., who loves spending quality time with his family and staying active. Lee was first diagnosed with diabetes, with the end result being the failure of his kidneys. He received a kidney transplant that lasted until three years ago, and he has been on dialysis ever since.
Anthony is a busy father with two teenage daughters, and he recently decided to transition from in-center hemodialysis to home hemodialysis with Fresenius Medical Care Saginaw Riverside. He will soon start dialyzing at home and is looking forward to the flexibility and independence that home treatment will give him.
Anthony likes relaxing at home and going to church to be around positive people. He also loves being active with his daughters and enjoys playing basketball. He’s a believer in the saying, “the more you do, the better you feel,” and encourages other patients to become more active and live life to the fullest. He wants to help his fellow patients understand how CKD affects their body, and the importance of following their treatment program.

FMC- Patient Champion Series

                                                         I wanted to share some of these awesome human stories that FMC has shared with me.

Marlene Meza, a 62 year-old dialysis patient in Miami, is not afraid anymore. When first diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease in June 2009, Marlene did not know what life had in store for her. What she did know was that she wanted to continue working, traveling and spending lots of time with her family. After going through Fresenius Medical Care’s educational Treatment Options Program (TOPs), Marlene realized there was a dialysis treatment that fit her future goals perfectly. Today, she receives peritoneal dialysis through the home treatment program at Fresenius Medical Care Homestead.
Marlene's nurse says she is a big help and enjoys talking to new dialysis patients about their treatments. She offers them hope and reassures them that there are different treatment options for kidney disease that allow for flexible and fulfilling lifestyles. With seven children, 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, it is not hard to understand why Marlene would want exactly that.
Marlene believes that anything is possible with the help of family and doctors. For her, home dialysis has been the answer. She continues to work at Goodwill Industries, where she has been employed for 16 years. In May, Marlene is planning an extended trip home to Nicaragua. Until then, she is busy planning the next family dinner, where all 32 members of her family will get together to eat and enjoy each other’s company.
 

FMC - Liberty Cycler

This is a nice new cycler. I train all my new Patients on this cycler with the exception of Pediatrics.

FMC- Patient Champion Series

I wanted to share some of these awesome human stories that FMC has shared with me.

Ronnie Glasper, a 38-year-old dialysis patient from Monroe, La., believes taking a proactive role in your health care is one of the keys to a successful life on dialysis. Ronnie has been on dialysis for two years because of kidney failure related to juvenile diabetes. He receives hemodialysis treatments at the Fresenius Medical Care Northeast Louisiana dialysis facility.
Every three days, when Ronnie arrives at the facility, he visits with the other patients, asking how they are doing and sharing information he has learned regarding kidney disease. He believes that, ultimately, your health is your own responsibility. He encourages dialysis patients to take an active role in their health care by asking questions, learning how the machines work, and understanding all of their dialysis needs. Currently, he’s a Network Patient Representative and has been nominated to be a member the Fresenius Medical Care Patient Advisory Board.
Beyond his support of fellow dialysis patients, Ronnie is an inspiration to children and adults through his work at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Louisiana. As a case manager, he matches children with mentors, who provide them with guidance and support. He also volunteers as a mentor. For Ronnie, having an activity he enjoys outside of dialysis is extremely important, and he advises other patients to find that outlet. Ronnie loves to read and research his family’s genealogy. That hobby takes him frequently to his hometown of Clayton, La., with the help of the Fresenius Medical Care Patient Travel Service.
Ronnie is currently on the waiting list for a kidney and pancreas transplant. His ultimate goals are to educate young people and give back to the community. That includes raising awareness about kidney health among adolescents.
 

FMC- Patient Champion Series

I wanted to share some of these awesome human stories that FMC has shared with me.

         Mary Ann Milo is a 39-year-old dialysis patient who lives in Avondale, Ariz. Mary Ann was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of two, and her kidneys lost all function by the time she was nine. At that point, she started her first round of peritoneal dialysis. Her first transplant, from her father, lasted 12 years but eventually failed. Then she returned to peritoneal dialysis. She was able to get a second transplant that lasted up until three years ago, and is now currently on in-center hemodialysis at Fresenius Medical Care Avondale.
Despite her ups and downs, Mary Ann’s mission in life is to bring happiness to those around her and help patients on dialysis. Mary Ann has taken great interest in educating other patients about dialysis, and she created a patient council that meets every month. She has also volunteered to be a patient representative at her clinic. Mary Ann is very dedicated to her treatment program, and has even learned to help set up her own dialysis treatment at the clinic.
Mary Ann is a fourth-grade teacher at Freedom Elementary School located in Buckeye, Ariz., where she has taught for nine years. Prior to teaching, she volunteered at the Geisinger Medical Center where she worked with pediatric dialysis patients. Mary Ann loves to hike, travel, and remain as active as possible. Mary Ann is planning a vacation to visit her sister in El Paso this year, and intends to study nursing with a focus in nephrology. 
https://www.ultracare-dialysis.com/engine/renderpage.asp?pid=s1581