March 7th, 2023 – Syracuse, New York:
Kendall is a young, brave, and vivacious woman referred to KabaFusion for Parenteral Nutrition (PN) in Syracuse, New York. Kendall describes herself as “a complex patient with complex conditions.” She has Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a rare inherited genetic condition affecting the connective tissue. Kendall also suffers from several other conditions that make eating enough food by mouth impossible. She suffers from gastroparesis, or delayed stomach emptying, which results in nausea and vomiting, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome causing many allergic reactions. Her complicated medical situation often has Kendall asking herself, “How can this much be wrong with one person?”
The months before Kendall started on nutrition support were “scary, very meek, and gray.” Her quality of life was poor, and she was struggling to make it through the day. Starting on PN was not an easy decision, but one that Kendall made with hopes of improving her health and life.
PN is a sterile liquid solution with carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and fluids delivered to the bloodstream that bypasses the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. PN helps Kendall maintain adequate nutrition, hydration, and electrolytes that her intestines are not absorbing. Her KabaFusion dietitian, Karen Hunter, and pharmacists Agnieszka Dixon and Marybeth Timian, review her labs and tailor the PN prescription to Kendall’s exact needs. The pharmacy support team, including pharmacy technician, Roland Roberts, ensures she receives all her PN and supplies on time, noting that “every company needs a Roland!”
After 6 months of PN therapy, Kendall says she feels “the best I’ve ever felt in my life!” and is thriving for the first time. She has more energy, sleeps better, and enjoys time with her husband and daughter. Kendall is enjoying life more now than ever before and attributes her success with the therapy to the expertise and compassion of the KabaFusion dietitian and pharmacists that care for her every week.
– Amand Scippa, RD, LDN, CNSC
Infusion Support Dietician Supervisor
If you have questions or would like to contact our dedicated team of dietitians, send an email to nutrition@kabafusion.com