Strength and compassion in kidney failure : writings of Mildred (Barry) Friedman : professional kidney patient

Having kidney failure is not a unique experience. Neither is receiving a kidney transplant or undergoing dialysis. Adopting to irreversible uremia - a devastating illness- by assisting others to cope with their own life trial represents the best of human traits. Bonded by marriage for 42 years, I was privileged to love and live with a marvelous and unique individual whose approach to life with this horrific disease taught me to regard every moment of our existence as precious. Preparation of this volume had two main objectives: 1) To honor the author for all of efforts in behalf of kidney patients. 2) To disseminate her insights and wisdom to those who may derive comfort and benefit from her words. Mildred (Barry) Friedman was a medical writer and patient advocate devoted to the American Association of Kidney Patients, who died at University Hospital of Brooklyn on September 21 st 1997 at the age of 61 of complications of type 1 diabetes. Barry, the second child of Leontine and Hardinge Barrett-Lennard, was born on October 17,1935 in Manhattan and attended Brooklyn College as a New York State Scholarship Awardee earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953. She subsequently began teaching in the New York City elementary schools gaining a Master's degree in education. Following the birth of her third child, Barry developed both diabetes and Addison's disease forcing her retirement from teaching.

Written from the perspective of the joy of celebrating life rather than lamenting the scourge of chronic illness, this collection of medical columns, short stories, and letters recounts the wonderful and upbeat tale of coping, surviving, and prevailing. Starting out as a medical technician, wife, and mother faced with progressive loss of sight and ambulation, Barry Friedman devised strategies for using her intellect to benefit other patients and medical professionals.
Free from self pity and permeated by hope, enthusiasm, and the belief that there was much to be accomplished, Friedman proved to be a keen observer of the sense and nonsense comprising her therapeutic regimen for diabetes, Addison's disease, and renal failure. Especially helpful are Friedman's hints for dealing with the necessity of diet and time change during travel and activity while under treatment with insulin.
Reading these short stories reveals a sense of humor and a glint of impish satisfaction in just being alive.

Richard J. Glassock

This is a small but very engrossing and uplifting volume containing a collection of columns, short stories, letters, and poems written by a long-term survivor (now deceased) of kidney failure due to diabetic kidney disease. The material has been collected and annotated by her husband of 42 years, Dr. Eli Friedman, a world-renowned nephrologist. The purpose is two-fold: to honor the author's contributions on behalf of kidney patients and to disseminate her insights and wisdom to other patients with kidney failure. It fully achieves the first goal and I hope that it is read widely so that the second goal can be achieved. The audience is the millions of patients with kidney failure throughout the world as well as the physicians, nurses, and other healthcare personnel who tend to their health needs. The book consists of short essays and letters demonstrating great wisdom, compassion, and insight into the unique challenges of kidney failure, especially in diabetes. It also shows the warmth, humor, intelligence, and common sense of a remarkable woman and an equally remarkable man. Love, understanding, and unadulterated prose are the hallmarks of this book. I highly recommend it to patients with kidney failure, their families, and to healthcare providers.

Front Matter....Pages N3-XX Front Matter....Pages 1-1 The Diabetic Foot....Pages 3-8 Eating....Pages 9-13 We Are All What We Eat....Pages 14-17 Pills Pills Pills....Pages 18-20 Survivors....Pages 21-24 Diabetic Directions: Travel Tricks and Advice....Pages 25-29 Medical Ethics....Pages 30-39 Diabetic Directions: Type....Pages 40-43 Holidays....Pages 44-48 Always Something New....Pages 49-55 Depressing Diabetes....Pages 56-61 DCCT - Bad or Good....Pages 62-67 ...Knee Bone Connected to the Thigh Bone, Thigh Bone Connected to the Hip Bone.......Pages 68-73 The Physical Side of Diabetes....Pages 74-79 The “L” words. Liver, Lungs, Lymphatics....Pages 80-83 Skin....Pages 84-89 More About Diabetic Skin....Pages 90-95 Predictions....Pages 96-99 Sugar - too much, too little....Pages 100-106 I’m Trying to Think!....Pages 107-113 Front Matter....Pages 115-115 The Attacker and the Waitress....Pages 116-122 Forgive Me Jack. Love, Pop....Pages 123-130 Maiya’s Daughter....Pages 131-142 Subway....Pages 143-149 A Funeral....Pages 150-155 Ma....Pages 156-171 Not Lucky....Pages 172-176 A Once Quiet Road....Pages 177-179 Back Matter....Pages 181-221