LyfeTalks
Welcome to LyfeTalks, a podcast that intimately explores the experiences of transplant recipients. Join us for raw …
TransplantLyfe Blogs
Check out our blog series covering all areas and focuses of transplantation.
Our Living Donor Experience
By Lisa & Michael Hehenberger
We both donated a kidney to our sister / daughter, Karin, in the years 2023 and 2009. Having donated and successfully recovered, we’d like to share our experience as well as proposing ways to increase the number of “live donors”, willing to help other patients in need.
Rebirth
By Karin Hehenberger
As Easter passes, I reflect upon the concept of rebirth, as fantastic as it may seem, but …
Transplant and Managing Medications
By Jeanmarie Ferguson
By Jeanmarie Ferguson Without our medications, we cannot have a successful transplant journey. According to CVS Specialty …
Transplant and Travel
By Jeanmarie Ferguson
By Jeanmarie Ferguson One of my favorite things to do is travel. I love experiencing new places …
Transplant and Plant-Based Diet
By Jeanmarie Ferguson
Hi! It’s Jeanmarie. I received my transplanted kidney from my father in January 2006. I’ve had many …
Karin Transplant Journey – Part 1: The Long Decline
By Karin
I had my first kidney transplant in 2009, and from all perspectives, it was a great success. However, for the past 3 years or so, my kidney has been in steady decline.
Karin Transplant Journey, Part 2: The Dialysis Cleanse
By Karin
I had been planning my second kidney transplant for a while. However, a stress test triggered a rapid and acute decline of my kidney function, and I needed dialysis to survive.
Karin Transplant Journey, Part 3: Day of Transplant Surgery
By Karin
Today I received my new kidney, lovingly called, Croissant – Lisa.
Karin Transplant Journey, Part 4: The Gift
By Karin
How do you honor someone who gave up a piece of themselves for you?
Karin Transplant Journey, Part 5: Going Home
By Karin
Being discharged from the hospital was the best feeling, but it was also a scary one.
Be Kind to Yourself
By Alisha
Some days you can be a superhero and some days you can’t get out of bed.
SURREAL, BEAUTIFUL AND BITTERSWEET
By By Alisha Hiebert
Focus on the moment and know things take time.
Music was my saving grace
By Alisha
“It’s a form of expression. It inspired me, gave me peace. And everyone has their own version of that. As long as you’re breathing, there’s hope. There’s a way to do it.”
Kindness for Kidneys
By Alisha
My mindset shifted from focusing on me to helping others
A Celebratory Conversation with the Winner of the Lyfebulb and CVS Kidney Care Innovation Challenge
By Ella Balasa
The innovation challenge highlighted the sparking of innovation and care to improve quality of life with people with kidney disease.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
By Alisha Hiebert
An Interview with Chet Bennett, our community manager Alisha sat down with Chet to talk about changing the world
A Beautiful Life
By Alisha Hiebert
My worthiness did not change from believing one thought over another, but my experience did
Jim Gleason: Transplant Survivor
By Alisha Hiebert
How does one say thank you for that selfless gift? For me, it is in using that life extension to help many others who follow in my footsteps as they too face death, and possible organ transplant.
Meet Bella Brave
By Alisha Heibert
Bella is a trailblazer who has spent more than 850 days in the hospital, received 21 surgeries, undergone a bone-marrow transplant, and received countless needles.
Living with Chronic Kidney Disease: What are My Options
By Ella Balasa
This is a recap of the first webinar – Living Donors and the Transplantation Process – in …
MyLyfe
By Karin Hehenberger
Diabetes tried to take many things away from Karin, but it couldn’t take her ambition.
Living Donors and the Transplantation Process
By Ella Balasa
A kidney transplant can either come from a deceased or living donor. In 2019, 41,000 people in the United States were newly placed on the waiting list for kidney transplants, and there were only about 23,000 kidney transplants done.
What does life after a transplant look like for RuPauls Drag Race contestant Willow Pill?
By Alisha Hiebert
“It tethered me to being alive, to something that had so much joy and life in it,” Willow said.
TransplantLyfe Interview with Petter Björquist – CEO at VERIGRAFT
By Alisha Hiebert
“This is the best job in the world – it’s a scientific challenge and I’m also working towards solving patients problems,” Petter said. He added that being a finalist in the innovation challenge was an incredible experience, despite not actually winning.
TransplantLyfe Chat featuring Denise
By Alisha Hiebert
“Transplant is a new life,” Denise said. “And, it shouldn’t create additional worry in life.”
TransplantLyfe Chat Featuring Amanda
By Alisha Hiebert
Amanda received her first heart transplant at 15. While other kids her age were worrying about prom and which boy liked them, Amanda had bigger things at hand.
Rebirth
By Alisha Hiebert
“I woke up and without even knowing the outside world existed, I knew I existed. I knew I was alive, and I felt light and nothing hurt anymore.”
Dr. Michael Hehenberger
By Michael Hehenberger
“My daughter was close to kidney failure, and when I heard that, she didn’t have to ask me, I told her that I would donate a kidney.”
