What is PKD?

PKD stands for polycystic kidney disease. It’s a genetic disease that causes uncontrolled growth of cysts in the kidney, eventually leading to kidney failure. A typical kidney is the size of a human fist and weighs about a third of a pound. In people with PKD, kidneys can be much larger, some growing as large as a football, and weighing many pounds each. Mine were even larger before my transplant and quite possibly the largest. They were big, but they were not strong. Normal kidneys function at very high levels, but mine were functioning before my transplant surgery at 17%. Typically, the need for a transplant becomes urgent when kidneys function at 15% or below. When it came to my kidneys, time was running out. Luckily for me, through all of the outreach, a close friend named Bill Mcneese became my hero donor; he gave me a new kidney and a new lease on life. I am very blessed!