This is a different kind of post. One from my heart, if you will.
First, a little backstory. I have a tooth ache right now. I cracked a tooth and had to go to the dentist for it yesterday. Luckily, I don't need any major work (yet), so he told me to take Advil and see if that helps. I asked him if I can take Tylenol instead, and he said no. Tylenol is not an anti-inflammatory agent. Then the convo continued:
Dentist: Does Advil make your stomach hurt?
Me: No. I have Polycystic Kidney Disease. I can't take Advil ("it can reduce the flow of blood through the kidneys and aggravate high blood pressure - so PKD patients should NOT take these medications" - www.pkdcure.org)
Dentist: Well then ride out the pain. Kidneys are more important than teeth.
That made me laugh. :)
A little about PKD and how it has affected my family
Polycystic Kidney Disease affects more people than you know. Some people live their entire lives without knowing they have it. Others die from it. Basically, cysts grow on your kidney (one or both), and they grow and grow until they restrict kidney function and you either go through dialysis or get a kidney transplant. There is no cure. Nothing they can do. NOTHING.
This frightens me to know end. See, I lost my father at 8 years old due to this awful disease. He was 38 years old. He was first generation American, a USC alum, a very successful CPA. He had the most amazing sense of humor. He was the best father a little girl could ever want. He was my daddy, and to this day, I still have many vivid memories of the short amount of time we spent together.
First, a little backstory. I have a tooth ache right now. I cracked a tooth and had to go to the dentist for it yesterday. Luckily, I don't need any major work (yet), so he told me to take Advil and see if that helps. I asked him if I can take Tylenol instead, and he said no. Tylenol is not an anti-inflammatory agent. Then the convo continued:
Dentist: Does Advil make your stomach hurt?
Me: No. I have Polycystic Kidney Disease. I can't take Advil ("it can reduce the flow of blood through the kidneys and aggravate high blood pressure - so PKD patients should NOT take these medications" - www.pkdcure.org)
Dentist: Well then ride out the pain. Kidneys are more important than teeth.
That made me laugh. :)
A little about PKD and how it has affected my family
Polycystic Kidney Disease affects more people than you know. Some people live their entire lives without knowing they have it. Others die from it. Basically, cysts grow on your kidney (one or both), and they grow and grow until they restrict kidney function and you either go through dialysis or get a kidney transplant. There is no cure. Nothing they can do. NOTHING.
This frightens me to know end. See, I lost my father at 8 years old due to this awful disease. He was 38 years old. He was first generation American, a USC alum, a very successful CPA. He had the most amazing sense of humor. He was the best father a little girl could ever want. He was my daddy, and to this day, I still have many vivid memories of the short amount of time we spent together.
When I turned 13 years old, my mother decided to have me checked out for PKD. It's hereditary. I remember laying on the ultrasound table as the tech rolled the wand over my lower abdomen & lower back. She carefully clicked, measured, typed. It was official. I, too, had PKD.
I still have PKD. And there is nothing anyone can do to help me.
When I met the man I knew I wanted to marry, we had a long conversation about death. I wanted to be sure that he still wanted to marry me even though I may die young. Even though I may leave young kids for him to raise all by himself. Lucky for me, he loved me enough to look at me like I was crazy for being concerned.
In 2003, we got married.
In 2007, we had a beautiful baby boy.
I have responsibilities now. I have people who depend on me to live.
You don't have to know me very well to know that when I want something, I do everything in my power to get it. I want to live. I want to beat this awful disease. I want to be there for my husband and my child.
On March 7th, I will join Walk KidneyWise as we raise money to fight chronic kidney disease. I ask you to please dig deep in your pockets and donate to help find a cure. Even $5 makes a difference.
Click the family photo below to donate. Thanks!
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