I was diagnosed with ADPKD right after college and turns out it is genetic and I was born with it! Basically your kidney is full of cysts and grows bigger and bigger and begins to lose function because there is no room for the blood to flow and get filtered. We finally figured my grandmother passed away from it at the age of 61. Doctors couldn't find out why she was sick and were unable to diagnose her back in 1991. My mom was able to get a transplant several years ago thanks to my aunt's (her sister) gift of life. It affects millions of families and friends.
My kidneys started failing in November of 2012 and I went on the kidney transplant list in Feb 2013. As of late last year, my aunt, Annie Lancaster, was approved as my living donor; however there is no room for a new kidney. So I Recently I had to have a nephrectomy (removal of the kidneys) because they were so large and causing many issues. However they were only able to remove the left one after a 5 hour surgery because the surgery was so complicated. It weighed about 5-7 lbs approximately. I am currently on dialysis trying to bring my red blood cell count up so that I can get a transplant scheduled for April 2016 in which they may also may remove my right kidney. I hope and pray that my body doesn't reject it especially because it is such a precious gift! And I truly hope it lasts many many years.
Many families struggle with this ADPKD disease which they still haven't found a cure for. I want everyone to know that World Kidney Day is March 10,2016. Please think about organ donation and becoming an organ donor. It saves lives!
Thanks to all my family and friends for their continued support and prayers during this process! Everyone has their own struggles and hardships and we all need each other's support. To all those with chronic illnesses and diseases, "keep up the fight!" and live every day to the fullest!
Thank you Annie Lancaster for your wonderful gift!
And thanks so much to Amanda Lancaster for being there for me every day and helping me through this process!
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