Living Well with Kidney Disease

2026-04-15 Facebook Live - Kidney Q&A

• Season 4 • Episode 4

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0:00 | 30:16

FB Live – April 15th: In this episode of Ask the Doctor, Dr. Velma Scantlebury answers important patient questions about navigating life with kidney disease. From planning travel to understanding serious health risks, transplant eligibility, and many more kidney-related topics, tune in for her expert knowledge and advice. 

Traveling with dialysis is absolutely possible—it just takes thoughtful planning. Dr. Scantlebury explains how your dialysis modality shapes your travel needs. Patients receiving in-center hemodialysis will need to arrange treatments in advance at a facility near their destination, while those on peritoneal dialysis (PD) may need to bring their machine and supplies or have them shipped ahead of time. From weekend trips to cruises, she emphasizes working closely with your healthcare provider and dialysis center travel coordinator to ensure a safe and smooth experience. 

Sepsis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when bacteria enter the body and begin to damage organs. For kidney patients (especially those with catheters, fistulas, or other access points) prevention is critical. Dr. Scantlebury highlights the importance of keeping all sites clean, protected, and properly cared for to reduce the risk of infection and serious complications. 

If you’ve had cancer and are now in remission, you may still be eligible for a kidney transplant, but there are important factors to consider. Dr. Scantlebury explains that patients must be cleared by their oncologist, and eligibility often depends on the type and stage of cancer, as well as how long the patient has been in remission. Most transplant centers require a waiting period (typically between 2 to 5 years) before a patient able to be listed. She also discusses how immunosuppressive medications, which are necessary after transplant, can impact the body’s ability to fight off potential cancer recurrence. 

With expert insight and practical advice, this episode helps patients stay informed, prepared, and empowered whether planning a trip, protecting against infection, or navigating the path to transplant. 

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook: 

  • IG Live @patientcitizens  
  • Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens