My Fight Against Polycystic Kidney Disease

I am a 46 year old male, in generally good health. Over the years I have faced my share of difficult physical trials. In fact, one of those trials, a hardware fusion of the L5/S1 disc, still follows me nine years after surgery as I continue to do weekly physical therapy.

In getting my yearly physical last month, my bloodwork showed two anomolies: The BUN and Creatinine output levels are twice the amount they should be on the high end of the scale. I was immediately referred to a Nephrologist who ordered more bloodwork, a 24-hour urine draw, a renal ultrasound, and a renal CT scan.

The results of the tests showed conclusively that I have Polycystic Kidney Disease (or PCKD). This has apparently been coming on for some time and no physician has caught the subtle signs. I am NOT symptomatic beyond the abberant blood results.

Currently, my kidney's are operating at approximately 26% of normal, and are covered in cysts. Because the disease is so advanced there is zero possibility of salvaging my kidney's. My physician estimates that I have 1 to 1.5 years until we have to take drastic measures regarding my future. At that point, I'll have two options that will be available to me:
1) Dialysis for 2 to 3 years
2) Kidney transplant.

For now, we are going to establish a baseline for comparison as to how fast or slow the disease is progressing. This will go until at least this coming January (2010). At that point, I'll have to start making decisions regarding possible outcomes/scenarios.

That news came to me just yesterday. I've spent the past 36 hours absording the information, and the various implications of the news. This evening, I decided to write a blog about how my fight against PCKD is going. I'm planning on updating my readers about tests, decisions, how I'm feeling, upcoming events, etc. My intent is to educate others who might be going through PCKD from those who have had it a while, to those who are just finding out that they have contracted it.

I'm not looking to be some hero who prevails against the inevitability of the outcome; No, I only want to share, and educate, pass on information I find or that has been beneficial to me, and to maybe, just maybe, give someone out there a little bit of hope that may mean the difference between fighting on...or giving up.

Please, join me as I travel down this path towards a future that (right now) appears dim. A future which is not yet written. A future that I might be able to extend, or even change. It will be a difficult challenge...to say the least. The fight will take strength, courage, determination, perseverence, positivity and love. It will test me beyond anything I have yet faced.

But, as I have already learned, that when the fight is at its most difficult, your mind will determine how you will face that which lies before you. Each of us have greater strength than we realize; a greater ability to face adversity that we can possibly comprehend. That strength clearly, unquestioningly displays itself when we need it most. The only question is, how will You decide to face this trial? As for me...

...It is a fight I very much look forward to fighting!

Sincerely,
ScottW