The W.O.N Podcast w/ David Rush

Episode Overview

Every dialysis treatment generates a flowsheet—blood pressure, weight, machine settings, lab values, treatment times, and notes. Those numbers are important.

But they don't tell the whole story.

They don't show the sleepless night before treatment, the parent trying to find childcare, the patient grieving the loss of a transplant, the anxiety before every needle stick, or the determination it took just to walk through the clinic doors.

In this episode, we explore what happens when healthcare focuses only on the data and forgets the person behind it. We'll talk about the importance of listening beyond the numbers, understanding each patient's unique story, and remembering that great care begins with seeing the whole person—not just the treatment record.

Because every patient has a story...

and they're more than a flowsheet.

#TheWONPodcast #WinsOnly #TheTreatment #MoreThanAFlowsheet #PatientVoice #KidneyDisease #DialysisLife #Healthcare #PatientCenteredCare #ChronicIllness #HopeDealer #EveryDayIsAWin

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Episode Overview:

Not every scar from kidney disease is physical.

For many patients, the trauma doesn't end after diagnosis—it grows with every emergency room visit, every surgery, every catheter, every failed access, every frightening phone call, and every treatment that leaves you wondering if you'll ever feel "normal" again.

In this episode, we explore treatment trauma—the emotional and psychological impact of living with chronic kidney disease and dialysis. We'll talk about the fear that can come with every treatment, the anxiety before appointments, the memories that stay with you long after the procedure is over, and how repeated medical experiences can quietly change the way you think, feel, and live.

We'll also discuss why it's okay to acknowledge that trauma, how to begin healing from it, and why taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.

Because surviving treatment isn't just about making it through another session... it's about learning how to heal from everything you've been through.

#TheWONPodcast #WinsOnly #TheTreatment #TreatmentTrauma #DialysisLife #KidneyDisease #ChronicIllness #MentalHealth #PatientVoice #PatientAdvocate #HopeDealer #EveryDayIsAWin

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Episode Overview:

Being a parent doesn't stop when treatment starts.

Whether you're sitting in a dialysis chair, recovering from treatment, or managing the daily challenges of chronic illness, your children still look to you for love, guidance, and stability. In this episode, we explore what it really means to parent while living with kidney disease—from missing milestones and balancing treatments with family life to carrying the silent fear of passing your illness on to your children.

We'll also discuss the difficult realities many families face, including finding childcare during treatments, the financial and emotional strain of chronic illness, and the guilt that comes from feeling like you're not always able to give your children your best.

Most importantly, we'll talk about what your kids truly remember—not perfection, but your presence, your resilience, and the love you continue to show every single day.

Because being in the chair doesn't stop you from being a parent... it simply changes how you show up.

#TheWONPodcast #WinsOnly #TheTreatment #ParentingFromTheChair #DialysisLife #KidneyDisease #Parenting #ChronicIllness #PatientVoice #PatientAdvocate #HopeDealer #EveryDayIsAWin

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Episode Overview:

Home dialysis offers freedom, flexibility, and independence—but it also comes with a responsibility that many people don't fully understand until they're living it.

In this episode, we take an honest look at home dialysis burnout—the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that can build over time. From feeling like your home has become a treatment center to managing supplies, schedules, caregiver fatigue, and the pressure of doing it all, we explore why some patients become overwhelmed and why that doesn't mean they've failed.

We'll also talk about recognizing the signs of burnout, asking for help before you reach your breaking point, and remembering that taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your kidneys.

Because home dialysis shouldn't just help you live longer... it should help you live better.

#TheWONPodcast #WinsOnly #TheTreatment #HomeDialysis #HomeBurnout #DialysisLife #KidneyDisease #PatientVoice #PatientEducation #ChronicIllness #HopeDealer #EveryDayIsAWin

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Episode Overview:

Being diagnosed with kidney disease at a young age changes everything.

While your friends are focused on school, careers, relationships, and building their future, you're learning medical terms, adjusting to treatments, and trying to figure out how to live a life that suddenly looks very different.

In this episode, we talk about the emotional, mental, and social challenges of being diagnosed young—from feeling isolated and misunderstood to navigating dating, friendships, careers, and chasing your dreams while managing a chronic illness. We also discuss how to find purpose, build resilience, and refuse to let a diagnosis define your future.

Because being diagnosed young may change your path... but it doesn't have to change your potential.

#TheWONPodcast #WinsOnly #TheTreatment #YoungAndDiagnosed #KidneyDisease #DialysisLife #ChronicIllness #PatientVoice #PatientAdvocate #HopeDealer #EveryDayIsAWin

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Episode Overview:

If I could go back to the day I was diagnosed with kidney disease, what would I do differently?

In this episode, I reflect on the lessons that only experience can teach. From asking more questions and learning my treatment options earlier to taking my health more seriously and advocating for myself, I share the things I wish someone had told me from the beginning.

Whether you're newly diagnosed, already on dialysis, waiting for a transplant, or supporting someone you love, this conversation is about learning from the journey so you don't have to learn everything the hard way.

Because you can't change where you started… but you can change where you're going.

#TheWONPodcast #WinsOnly #TheTreatment #KidneyDisease #DialysisLife #PatientVoice #PatientEducation #ChronicIllness #HopeDealer #EveryDayIsAWin

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Time doesn’t slow down.
Seasons change, kids grow, and parents get older right in front of us—sometimes so quietly we don’t notice until we do.

This episode is about that pause.
About realizing the holidays aren’t just lights and music, but moments. About checking in, showing up, and understanding that the real reason for the season isn’t what’s under the tree,it’s who’s still around it.

No rush. No noise. Just perspective.
Because time is moving whether we’re ready or not, and love is the one thing worth stopping for.

#WinsOnly

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This week on the Wins Only Podcast I talk about Thanksgiving break and the heavy news of losing Robin Adams, the mother of my friend Nicole Adams. Robin was a dialysis patient who passed during her transplant process and her loss reminds us how fragile this journey can be.

I share reflections on grief, family, and the reality that kidney disease does not pause for the holidays. This episode is for anyone who has lost someone too soon and for every family still fighting for hope.

Rest in peace Robin Adams. Your strength lives on.

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 Celebrating My Mother’s Life

Today’s episode is different. It’s personal. I’m celebrating the life of my mother, Cindia Bowen, a woman whose strength shaped everything I am. This isn’t a story about loss, it’s a story about love, legacy, and the kind of impact that keeps living long after someone’s gone.

I talk about who she was, what she poured into me, and how her voice still guides my steps even now. From the quiet moments to the hard lessons, to the way she loved her family… this one is for her.

If you’ve ever lost someone close, or if you’re holding onto memories that still push you forward, I hope this episode brings you a little light.

Today, I honor my mom.
Today is for MAMA RUSH
#WinsOnly

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In this episode of the WinsOnly Podcast with David Rush, I break down what happened when the government shutdown grounded my flight and kept me from hosting the New York Kidney Walk. But instead of frustration it became a reminder about faith, patience, and planning.

As a kidney patient, traveling isn’t just about booking a flight, it’s about making sure your treatment, meds, and energy stay aligned. I talk about what went wrong, what I learned, and how we can all build better travel plans to stay ready for anything life throws our way.

Because even when plans change, the mission doesn’t stop.

#WinsOnly #KidneyStrong #DavidRush #TravelSmart #DialysisLife

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