February Support Group meeting note from Robert P.

The Portland Kidney Patients Advocacy Group participated in a joint meeting with the Portland Polycystic Kidney Group at Good Samaritan Hospital on Sunday, February 10th, to hear Dr. Bennett, a specialist in transplantation, talk about the challenges of kidney disease. Dr. Bennett informed the group that diabetes and hypertension are major causes of kidney failure; once kidney function falls below 15 percent dialysis is required. He noted that the government will not pay for dialysis unless the kidney fictional level is below 15 %, Medicare coverage that started covering kidney failure in 1972, will then provide payment. He noted that dialysis coverage usually cost about $120,000 per year. On the issue of Polycystic Kidney Disease, Dr. Bennett indicated that coffee and/or caffeine products may be a contributing factor to the disease, he also indicated that a Dash Diet with lots of fruits and vegetables may slow the progression of the disease. Dr. Bennett shared information on trails and research studies that will impact Polycystic Kidney Disease in the future and the DNA factors associated with this disease.

Thank you for Dr. Bennett and all participants who were there!

2013 calendar

2013 Schedule

Yes!  We are meeting monthly!  Please join us.
Sunday, January 20 : 2-4pm
Support Group
Room 1077, main hospital at Legacy Emanuel

Sunday, February 10 :2-4pm (2nd Sunday)
Dr. Bennett, Legacy Transplant
Good Samaritan Auditorium
1040 NW 22nd Ave Portland, OR 97210

Saturday, March 9: 9am-1pm (1st Sunday)
KEEP program, Irvington Convenant Church
4046 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

Sunday, March 17 : 2-4pm
Support Group
Room MOB 2-WEST at Legacy Emanuel

Sunday, April 21 : 9am-2pm
Patient Education Symposium
Lorenzen Conference Center, Legacy Emanuel

Sunday, May 19 :  2-4pm
Support Group
Room MOB 2-WEST at Legacy Emanuel

Saturday, June 16 : 2-4pm
no meeting
Sunday, July 21 : 2-4pm
no meeting

Sunday, August 11 :1-4 pm (2nd Sunday)
No regular meeting
NKF/PKG Summer Picnic -Pot Luck
at Peninsula Park NE Portland
Please RSVP to Julia.schrogin@kidney.org, (415)543-3303

Sunday, September 15 : 2-4pm
no meeting

Sunday, October 20 :2-4pm
no meeting

Sunday, November 10 (2nd Sunday) : 1-3pm
No regular meeting
LAST MEETING OF THE YEAR
4th Anniversary/holiday party-Pot Luck
At Kennedy school, community room,
15736 N.E. 33rd Ave. Portland, OR 97211

No meeting November 17 or December 15

Exploring the Transplant Option with Tammy Sobers of OHSU

The monthly gathering of the Portland Kidney Group met on Sunday afternoon, May 15, 2011,  About a dozen people dealing with the challenges of living effectively with kidney disease first listened to an informative and practical talk followed by a lively question and answer period.  Tammy Sobers, head of the transplant division of OHSU (Oregon Health and Science University) lead the discussion.  She focused her talk around answering three main questions:

• How do you get ready for a transplant?
• What are key referrals for kidney patients?
• What skills do you need to hone to ensure a successful transplant?

Tammy's comprehensive analysis on the state of all areas of kidney transplant - especially the particular circumstances affecting those of us in Portland, Oregon -- was illuminating, instructive, and inspiring.