One Day at a Time: JoAnn Ratliff's Story

One Day at a Time: JoAnn Ratliff's Story

Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 March 2010 17:47 Written by Leslie Rubin Wednesday, 17 March 2010 17:14

In honor of National Kidney Month, a local woman is being honored for fighting Chronic Kidney Disease and still living life with a smile on her face.

Her name is JoAnn Ratliff. She's 63-years-old and from Burnsville.

For the last two years, she's been undergoing an intense treatment known as Dialysis.

Recently, she was selected out of 130,000 people as one of Fresenius Medical Center's 31 "Patient Champions." A recognition, she says, it quite an honor.

Ten years ago, Ratliff found out she had Chronic Kidniey Disease. Two years ago, it escalated into End Stage Renal Disease. Now, she comes to Fresenius Medical Center in Weston, every other day, for three and half hour blood cleansing treatments known as Hemodialysis.

"I mean, at first, it was really devastating because you don't know what it's going to be like. And then, after I got started, I realized it wasn't as bad a I thought it was going to be. So it's basically just to keep going," says Ratliff.

Throughout her treatment, she still works helping the mentally and physically challenged. She loves her family, is an avid pool player, and enjoys cooking and reading in her spare time.

"She's taking it in stride. She's always optimistic and upbeat and we're very proud of her. She sets a good example for all dialysis patients," says David Ferguson, R.N.

That's why she was chosen as one of 31 national "Patient Champions" by Fresenius, for living her life to the fullest despite battling the disease.

"I'm just a normal person. I just take life one day a time," she says.

A kidney transplant is the only other option besides Dialysis. An option that doctors say is very hard to come by.

"I've been in this clinic for a year and a half and I've seen one patient transplanted," explains Ferguson.

Ratliff remains on a transplant waiting list and will start home treatments soon. Until then, she says she'll take it one day at a time.

Frasenius employees hope to have Ratliff undergoing treatments at her home within the next month. She will be only the second patient at the clinic to have tried home treatments.

In the meantime, she says she'll keep praying for a kidney transplant.

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/1323-one-day-at-a-time-joann-ratliffs-story