This nasty looking picture is a picture of two kidneys. The one on the right is a healthy kidney. The one on the left is a PKD kidney.It was almost four years ago in 2004 when I was first diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). When the doctor first told me, I had never heard of it before and wasn't sure what to think. I'm sure he spent the necessary time to explain the disease to me back then, but it was one of those moments when hearing words like, "no cure" and, "you have probably about three years" made it impossible to digest anymore information at that time. I have to admit that it took me a few months to process things.
Four years later, I have learned a lot about PKD and I'm glad the initial three year time-line of my doctor was not accurate (although I still do have PKD). God has been gracious to me and I am still doing fine for the time being. I am now involved in a clinical study through the Kansas University Medical Center (HALT-PKD) to help doctors in their research in fighting the progress of this disease. There is much information about Polycystic Kidney Disease on the PKD Foundation website. PKD is the most common genetic, life threatening disease affecting more than 600,000 Americans and an estimated 12.5 million people worldwide - regardless of sex, age, race or ethnic origin. In fact, PKD affects more people than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, Down syndrome and sikle cell anemia - combined.
It is my desire to help doctors in anyway that I can to find a cure for PKD, not so much for me, but for my three sons. You see, they have been tested and all three have inherited PKD from me. Although they have a good attitude about it, it sure makes me feel terrible that I passed the disease to them. I would feel so much better if a cure could be found soon enough that they could benefit from it. For those that would like to donate to the PKD Foundation and help in the research for a cure of PKD, I am part of a virtual Walk for PKD Fundraiser.
4 comments:
Wow! That picture is crazy! So how long does it take for the disease to make the kidney look like that?
Yeh, that picture is pretty crazy, but it is typical for a PKD kidney when the cysts render the kidney useless. The time-line to complete kidney failure varies from person to person, but PKD kidneys often deteriorate more quickly once the person reaches 40, sometimes 50 years of age. The size of the kidneys can even get larger than those pictured here. I am thankful that I am not dealing with the pain that most other PKD patients deal with when they are as far along as I am with the disease.
I see that you are doing a virtual walk for PKD. Is it ok if I send the link to family and friends back home so they can donate if they wish?
Sure, that's fine! Thanks!
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