Holiday Gift Guide for the Kidney Warrior November 30, 2020 by Kylie Karley With the holidays fast approaching, the scramble is on to find the right gift for every person on your list. Look no further for the kidney warrior in your life! We’ve put together a helpful and thoughtful wish list for those battling chronic kidney diseases, like Nephrotic Syndrome, FSGS, and other protein-spilling kidney diseases. Happy Shopping! Fuzzy Socks and Glomerulus Socks These warm socks are especially helpful because many chronic kidney disease patients have anemia, which aside from making you feel tired, can also make you feel cold. Anemia is the result of kidney disease patients not producing as much heat in their bodies due to fewer red blood cells which carry oxygen through the body. For the science lover in your life, they may love to sport a pair with glomerulus (kidney cells) all over! Travel Hot/Cold Therapy Body Wrap Along the same lines as the fuzzy socks, this body wrap can be a great way for those with chronic kidney disease to warm up, especially during the colder months ahead of us. Kidney Plush Toy This adorable little kidney is cuddly, soft, and perfect for little ones! Captain Kidneys T-Shirt A spin off the Captain America logo, any Marvel buff will love the whimsical “kidney” take on this design. Albustix for Urianlysis It might not be the most glamourous gift, but a useful one indeed! Testing protein levels in your urine is part of chronic kidney patients’ daily routine. These disposable strips are reliable and easy to use. Pulse Oximeter This tool can be especially helpful for those on hemodialysis. Oxygen levels in the blood can drop during dialysis, so it is important to keep an eye on everything. Aromatherapy Shower Steamers The equivalent of a “bath bomb,” these shower steamers infused with essential oils are perfect for relaxation. Many side effects come with chronic kidney disease, both mental and physical ones. These steamers can help patients and caregivers alike! Back and Neck Massager And while we’re on the subject of relaxation, this back and neck massager might help do the trick too! Small and portable enough for kidney patients to take with them to the hospital, on long car rides, during treatments, etc. Positivity Journal Battling a chronic and ‘invisible’ disease can take a toll on you mentally, whether you’re the one diagnosed with the disease or a caretaker. Reinforce a positive mindset and take time for a little self-care with this daily journal. Books Stopping Kidney Disease ‘Stopping Kidney Disease: A science based treatment plan to use your doctor, drugs, diet and exercise to slow or stop the progression of incurable kidney disease’ contains research on all stages of kidney disease newly diagnosed, stage three, four, five, dialysis and transplant. Nephrotic Warriors: The True Super Heroes This book shows the world who the ‘Nephrotic Syndrome Warriors’ are. It brings a load of positivity and strength to all suffering from Nephrotic Syndrome and lets them know they are not alone in this fight. The Cooking Doc’s Kidney-Healthy Cooking A combination of concrete health tips, scientific knowledge, inspirational stories, charts, and beautiful recipes and pictures, this book written by Dr. Blake Shusterman (who is an adult nephrologist) can help you understand the dietary needs for each stage of kidney disease and make you a better cook. Coping with Prednisone (*and other cortisone-related medicines) This books covers the latest knowledge about bone health, the use of steroids for children, and new steroid compounds, along with additional strategies and exercises based on their own experiences and responses from other patients and physicians. It was also our book of the month. We sat down with one of the authors, Dr. Julie Ingelfinger, for a Q&A session. You can watch here. Parenting Children with Health Issues: Essential Tools, Tips and Tactics for Raising Kids with Chronic Illness, Medical Conditions, and Special Healthcare Needs This book is great for any parent or caregiver of a kidney warrior. It dives deep, answering your toughest questions and providing you effective ways to communicate about medical issues with children of all ages. Water bottle that tracks water intake This high-tech water bottle is great for patients who need to keep track of their water intake. The water bottle also glows to remind you to stay hydrated! Roll-up Guest Bed/Floor Mat Another great option for caregivers who may find themselves unexpectedly staying in the hospital with their ill loved one. Small enough to travel with or to keep in your car. Blood Pressure Monitor Another useful gift for those with kidney disease. This will help them monitor vitals on the daily!