Updates of our Hemodialysis Support Group

Good to be back blogging here. Been busy with activities of our hemodialysis support group.

Last February we had a fundraiser then a lecture on Calcium and Phosphorus by nephrologist Dr. John Li.

Partcipants of the Calcium Phosphorus lecture

Dr. John Li lectures about Calcium and Phosphorus

Mini lecture on renal nutrition

Smiling Kidneys Club summer beach outing

Recently, our support group had a beach outing with nutrition lectures to celebrate World Kidney Day. Then we have an upcoming recollection next week and a planned mini Olympics this coming June in time for the celebration of the anniversary of our dialysis center as well as the Kidney Month. (If you wish to help us in our activities by being a sponsor or a partner, just sent me a message at the contact page.)

Though it is tiring to organize events for the support group, you feel happy seeing patients smile and appreciate the activities. It's difficult to explain but being busy with the support group has helped me also look forward to the future.

During a conversation with some kidney patients at PCSO while requesting for financial assistance, the patients appear to love the idea of being in a support group. I also heard some concerns regarding some baranggay officials not recognizing chronic kidney failure patients as Persons with Disability. This is sad. It is my dream that our support group will soon extend to other dialysis centers also to help address concerns like these.

Now with regards to my health, my phosphorus has gone up and serum calcium lowered slightly. Phosphorus levels are really hard to control. It requires discipline with the diet and compliance with taking phosphate binders like Renvela. I just wish the cost of these medicines will be eventually lowered or will be subsidized by the government also as in other countries because they are expensive. Perhaps with more patients banding together as a group, we can lobby for the lowering of the price of medicines, if not, secure the usual medicines at a lower price. That is another wish we could accomplish as a support group.