Archive for kidney failure
My own secret superpower: Jocelyn’s journey with C3 glomerulopathy
When Jocelyn Bush was 13, she started noticing minor swelling around her eyes. Not thinking much of it, she went about her life as usual. But by the start of her freshman year of high school, the swelling had spread all over her body. As a multisport athlete in soccer, track, and volleyball, not being ... Read More about My own secret superpower: Jocelyn’s journey with C3 glomerulopathy
Two rising stars in kidney genetics: Nina Mann and Amar Majmundar
A healthy, functional kidney must maintain a delicate balance of water, nutrients, and electrolytes so it can properly filter the blood and produce urine. That often makes caring for patients with kidney disease an exercise in chemistry and mathematics — an aspect of nephrology that attracted two young physician-scientists. Coming from different paths, Nina Mann, ... Read More about Two rising stars in kidney genetics: Nina Mann and Amar Majmundar
First-of-its-kind clinical trial aims to improve outcomes in pediatric transplant patients
For the last 20 years, pediatric kidney transplant patients have been treated with the same immunosuppressive medication combinations and have been monitored using the same tests, without many new treatment options. Unfortunately, unlike their adult counterparts, pediatric transplant recipients have not been included in clinical trials to test newer and promising combinations of medications that ... Read More about First-of-its-kind clinical trial aims to improve outcomes in pediatric transplant patients
Family first: Nolan and Uncle Jon’s living donor kidney transplant
Nolan and his uncle Jon are both tall and blonde, but they now have something more in common: The two have an unbreakable bond, thanks to a selfless —and lucky — gift that changed Nolan’s life forever. The first year after Nolan was born, his primary care physician ran some blood work to try to ... Read More about Family first: Nolan and Uncle Jon’s living donor kidney transplant
If your baby or toddler needs peritoneal dialysis: Tips for parents
Marybeth Bentson and Theresa Pak have helped a lot of families cope with childhood kidney disease. As long-time nurses in the Division of Nephrology at Boston Children’s Hospital, the two have cared for children at every stage of kidney disease, including children on dialysis. Dialysis filters a child’s blood when their kidneys are unable to ... Read More about If your baby or toddler needs peritoneal dialysis: Tips for parents
Unstoppable: Cairo’s journey for kidney care began even before birth
Like lots of babies, Cairo Carter was born screaming — and his parents were thrilled. “We just wanted him to scream so we knew he could breathe,” explains his mother, Alaila. The family cried tears of joy and relief, but they understood that the moment was just the first step of a long journey. “We ... Read More about Unstoppable: Cairo’s journey for kidney care began even before birth
A new kidney for Kira
Kira Walker knows how to turn a Zoom call into a party. Soon after her mom starts talking, the 8-year-old appears on the screen in a purple dress worthy of Princess Elsa in Frozen. She loves that movie, plus surprise toys, painting her nails, and her “K for Kira” necklace. “All of this is new,” ... Read More about A new kidney for Kira
After a long journey and a father’s gift, surviving Wilms tumor
Eleanor (Nora) Franks was a happy, healthy toddler who loved playing with her twin brother Evan. But soon after she turned 3, she began having problems with her digestion. Eventually, her local hospital found a large mass in her kidney and diagnosed her with Wilms tumor, a rare kidney cancer. “She had to go almost ... Read More about After a long journey and a father’s gift, surviving Wilms tumor
From Virginia to Boston for a kidney transplant: Joshy’s story
Joshy Buchheit is a lot like most 4-year-old boys. He loves playing in the mud, riding his scooter, and keeping up with his three older brothers, Joseph, Ethan, and Evan. But what sets Joshy apart is that he was born with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and had a kidney transplant when he was just 20 ... Read More about From Virginia to Boston for a kidney transplant: Joshy’s story
Getting COVID-19 vaccines to medically fragile children
As COVID-19 vaccines slowly roll out, should children who need complex care or have serious medical conditions be vaccinated? We asked experts around Boston Children’s Hospital, and their resounding answer is: Yes, if they are age 16 or older. Boston Children’s is actively planning to make vaccination happen for as many patients as possible, as ... Read More about Getting COVID-19 vaccines to medically fragile children