The following is where to find further information relating to articles that appeared in issue 16 of Kidney Matters.
Pages 4-5: From the front line Improving organ donation – a new initiative from the NHS
Over the past few years, organ donation rates have improved while waiting list times have reduced. However, many people with kidney disease still have to go on to a waiting list for several years for that precious kidney, and that list has grown longer because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pages 6-7: Understanding delayed graft function (or a sleepy kidney, post-transplant)
Delayed graft function (DGF) is the medical term for something you may have heard referred to as ‘a sleepy kidney’ immediately post-transplant. Experiencing DGF at a time when you are also trying to recover from transplant surgery can be a worrying time.
Pages 8-9: Bump-starting Spud: my sleepy kidney
When we get the call telling us to come into hospital because a kidney has been donated and it’s a potential match, emotions are mixed. We think of the tragedy and heartache for another family implicit in that news. But we are also full of anticipation of the life we are going to get back with a functioning transplant, and that life on dialysis is now behind us. It’s not always that simple, whether because of delayed graft function or rejection.
Pages 12-13: Time to listen
The physical and mental health challenges of kidney disease are often addressed through patients. But what about those in the background, caring for them? The people who often grieve in the shadows, helplessly watching their loved ones suffer. To gain an insight, we talk to Farris Ali.
- Our patient support services - A guide to the services and support we provide to kidney patients, their families and carers.
- Mental Health - Looking after your mental health and wellbeing is just as important as keeping physically healthy.
- Emotional Resilience - Long-term conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD) can affect different areas of your life as well as your health.
- Who cares for the carer? - The diagnosis of CKD affects everyone around us and the impact on our partners, loved ones, and home life can never be underestimated.
Pages 18-19: Getting away from it all: holidaying and dialysis in the Lake District
Lynne and David Alderson moved their family to Cumbria to take over a new venture running the popular Lakeland Dialysis unit, just before the pandemic hit in 2020. Some quick thinking and good luck see them ready to welcome dialysis patients back this summer.
- Dialysis Freedom - Whether you are going on holiday, travelling for a family celebration, or for work, dialysis shouldn’t prevent you from being able to take a respite break for your wellbeing and convenience.
Pages 24-27: Kidney Clinic Clear water? UTIs after a kidney transplant
The most common infections to occur after kidney transplantation, urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be a recurring problem but may be successfully treated with individualised diagnosis and treatment.
Pages 28-29: The arrival of our light
When a loved one starts dialysis, not only does it impact their health. Day-to-day life, other relationships, cultural and religious festivals, and spirituality are just a few things that are also affected. Vanessa Patel talks about her family’s journey from dialysis to post-transplant and everything in between.
Pages 32-33: Transforming the treatment of CKD
New NICE guidelines introduce important changes designed to improve diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Page 35: The Starman, The Superhero and The Wizards
Page 37: Photograph competition: 'the life that I have'
Entering is very simple. All you need to do is send a photo to us which makes you smile, but that also tells us something about you.
We need:
- One high resolution digital photograph (no naughty ones!)
- Colour or black and white
- One entry per person
- Attach your photo to an email and in one paragraph tell us why the photograph means something to you. Don’t forget to include your name
- In the subject line, type ‘photo competition’ and email it to us.
Make sure you send your entries to us by 5pm on 31 March 2022.