Articles & Stories

By Holly Koncicki, MD

If you are living with kidney disease, you may know that it comes with many challenges, as symptoms can take a toll on day-to-day life. Along the way, decisions will have to be made about potential treatments, each of which can impact you in different ways. With this in mind, it’s important to know about a medical specialty that can address your symptoms and stress, called palliative care – and how to ask for it. Palliative care is growing in kidney care programs, given the many symptoms that come with kidney disease and the potential impact of various treatments on quality of life. … Read More

By Anthony Back, MD 

One year in since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are eager to get back to “normal,” non-quarantined life. With the roll-out of vaccines, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.  … Read More

Rae Anne is on a mission to share how palliative care changed her life—and her family’s—for the better. She’s in remission from stage 4 head and neck cancer, and wants others living with a serious illness, whether cancer or otherwise, to know that palliative care can help them. In her video series, Rae Anne Reflects, she speaks with different members of the palliative care team. The goal is to share the many ways that palliative care adds an extra layer of support for patients and families – from the time of diagnosis, through, and after treatment.  … Read More

If you have cancer, lung, heart or kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, or another serious illness, you should know about a medical team that can address your symptoms and stress. 

The medical team is called palliative care and they’re available in a variety of medical settings. Palliative care teams focus on relieving the symptoms and stress of your illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.  … Read More

You may remember Rae Anne, who shared how she found a lump on the side of her neck while out at a concert. Soon after, she was diagnosed with stage 4 head and neck cancer and started chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Then she received a call from the palliative care team at her cancer center and quickly learned how it would change her life—and her family’s—for the better.   … Read More

By Andy Esch, MD 

If you care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, you may be struggling with the day-to-day challenges and maintaining quality of life. Dementia is a disease of the brain, which begins with memory loss, confusion, and difficulty making decisions, all of which worsen over time. This may mean that your loved one doesn’t recognize their surroundings or people in their life, or may not be able to find the right words or do tasks that were once handled easily.  … Read More

By Spencer Christensen, MD

If you or a loved one are living with a serious illness like cancer, heart or lung disease, you may need help managing symptoms, improving your quality of life, or reducing stress. Palliative care can help.  … Read More

By Andy Esch, MD

Living with Huntington’s disease can be extremely challenging. It’s a disease of the nervous system and brain, with symptoms that typically progress over time. These can include uncontrollable movements in your arms, legs, or body overall; painful muscle jerking; and difficulty swallowing or breathing. Huntington’s can also cause mental disturbances such as nervousness, mood swings, depression, and personality changes. … Read More

Rae Anne found a lump on the side of her neck while at a concert with friends several years ago. Over the course of a few weeks and several doctor appointments, she was diagnosed with stage 4 head and neck cancer. After many rounds of chemotherapy and 35 radiation treatments, she received a call from a palliative care nurse, Eve. At the time, Rae Anne was not familiar with palliative care, but soon learned that it would change her life for the better. In remission for more than three years, and enjoying life with her two children, Rae Anne wants others living with a serious illness to know how palliative care can help them.  … Read More

Having Parkinson’s disease (PD) comes with many uncertainties and anxiety. On top of this now is the concern about coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. PD symptoms can worsen when you also have another illness.  And some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease may increase the risk for complications from this respiratory virus, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing. Other factors that may increase risk of complications are older age and having other serious medical conditions such as heart disease, respiratory illnesses, diabetes, and kidney failure.  The added stress from worry over catching the new virus and the need to remain at home can also increase PD symptoms.

Meanwhile, much of the country is beginning to open, which makes it more important than ever to remain safe – and know what to do if you feel sick.  … Read More