Ep 06: I Wish I Knew About Transitioning to Home Dialysis, with Leigh-Ann Williams

The Kidney Collective

Chapters
0:00
Introduction to The Kidney Collective
1:36
One Thing Leigh-Ann Didn't Know She Could Do on Dialysis
3:19
Leigh-Ann's Journey with Kidney Disease
4:41
Understanding Acute Kidney Injury
6:05
Leigh-Ann's Chronic Kidney Disease Symptoms
9:04
Transitioning from In-Center to Home Dialysis
11:49
The Dialysis Recovery Process and Daily Life
13:35
Diet and Fluid Restrictions for In-Center vs. Home Dialysis
16:41
Getting Comfortable with Home Dialysis and Learning About Your Body
20:34
Leigh-Ann's Experience with Learning the Cause of Her Kidney Disease
23:59
Home Dialysis Challenges, Barriers and Advice
27:48
Advocacy and Inspiring Change
31:10
Recap of Leigh-Ann's Conversation
The Kidney Collective
Ep 06: I Wish I Knew About Transitioning to Home Dialysis, with Leigh-Ann Williams
Oct 29, 2025 Season 1 Episode 6
American Kidney Fund

In this episode of The Kidney Collective™, Tamara and Mike talk with Leigh-Ann Williams about her dialysis journey—from in-center to home dialysis. They discuss the benefits of home dialysis, including the more flexible schedule, shorter treatment times and reduced fluid restrictions compared to in-center dialysis. Leigh-Ann also describes some of the challenges of home dialysis, from space for supplies to learning to navigate the many alarms, but encourages others considering it to not be intimidated. The three dive into how Leigh-Ann crashed into dialysis but eventually came to understand her diagnosis of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), lupus and APOL-1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD). Despite her kidneys failing at such a young age, Leigh-Ann has not allowed dialysis to slow her down! She has earned two masters degrees and traveled as far as Hawaii and the Bahamas and hopes to fulfill her goal of going on a cruise soon—all while receiving dialysis treatments.

Leigh-Ann Williams is an AKF Ambassador and Kidney Health Coach from New Orleans who lives with kidney failure and is on home dialysis. She is an active advocate for the kidney community and was honored for her great work as the 2021 AKF Hero of Hope.

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