DNA Patient Journey: Staying Off The Road to Kidney Failure (Part I)

Take a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. Dr. Cindy Corpier shares the basics of kidney care, early detection and preventative actions for a kidney transplant, and how to develop a care plan with a healthcare team.
What to Know About Kidney Failure
Kidney failure can often happen without any symptoms, which is why Dr. Corpier supports screening events, such as ones sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation. Usually, a patient is referred to a nephrologist late, and Corpier describes some of the frustration and grief that comes with not being able to help some 10, 15, or even just 5 years earlier.
Treatment varies depending on the cause of the failure. For some diseases, there isn't a specific treatment. Blood pressure medicine or other medications can often remove or delay the need for dialysis or transplant. Both dialysis and transplantation have specific criteria and processes for approval, which Dr. Corpier explains.
Misconceptions About Kidney Disease
A common misconception is that a transplant is a cure. This isn't true, even if a patient may not like to hear that. Transplantation and dialysis are reserved for people who have or will lose all kidney function. So the goal, Dr. Corpier explains, is to restore normal function or maintain the current state of function. But neither are cures in the sense that a patient's life will be the same after.
People also tend to believe that they won't suffer from kidney disease because they are young, healthy, or take care of themselves. But kidney disease is often a result of blood pressure, diabetes, or other unexpected diseases. Dr. Corpier tries to be as transparent as possible about the treatment process, including what to expect during evaluations and post-operation.
Life After Kidney Disease
For patients, Dr. Corpier recommends keeping their health information organized and accessible, especially if they're post-transplant. Keeping a list of all your medications is at the top of her list. She doesn't expect patients to remember every number--that's what physicians are for--but encourages knowing your own body's baselines, especially when traveling, visiting new specialists, or in case of an ER visit.
Everyone would like to go through life without worrying about their health. But because a transplant isn't a cure, Dr. Corpier and all physicians at DNA seek to find the middle ground between treatment and life. In Dr. Corpier's words, the purpose of your life is not to be a patient. It's to live your life.

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Excellent!