Why we do what we do
Two years ago, blood work confirmed that Jerry Chamblee of Brookside, Alabama, was suffering from renal Kidney failure. With that diagnosis, he began hemodialysis at Fresenius in Gardendale, three days a week for 3 hours at a time. After a year and half of hemodialysis, Mr. Chamblee was having problems with port access and required a number of surgeries. In addition, he was not meeting his treatment goals. Jason Thomas, RN, Clinical Manager at FMC Gardendale had been studying success stories of patients in Florida who were on nocturnal hemodialysis. Jason worked with Mr. Chamblee's physician and began a test-pilot program and that included Mr. Chamblee for nocturnal hemodialysis. The nocturnal hemodialysis lasts eight hours and is done in the clinic while the patient sleeps. Mr. Chamblee benefited from the longer, slower cleansing. FMC Gardendale has made sure that patients would be comfortable during there sleepover. They have installed dimmers on lights and offer cushions so chairs become more like a bed.
While FMC was taking care of Mr. Chamblee's medical needs, his social worker, Janeen also found out he needed financial help as well. "I was ashamed and didn't want anyone to know" said Mr. Chamblee. He said that with medical co-pays the expense does hurt. His social worker contacted the Alabama Kidney Foundation about giving assistance. The Foundation paid $200.00 toward Mr. Chamblee's power bill. "I appreciate and thank God for the Kidney Foundation. They do great work for us patients. They have been such a big blessing." said Jerry Chamblee.
