Story added: August 21, 2017
Stephanie Smetana
My earliest memory of my mom suffering the effects of PKD was of her laying on our couch crying in pain as another cyst had burst. My mom is not a crier. I never got to meet my maternal grandmother and I have lost several aunts and uncles to this disease. My mom was on dialysis for many years before she got her second chance at life, I am forever grateful to the man who believed in donating his organs. My mom got to see me graduate college, be there on my wedding day, and is now a wonderful Nana to my 2-year-old son. In 2006 I was diagnosed with PKD and this year have experienced my own hemorrhagic and infected cysts. I pray my son does not have PKD! My sister was diagnosed a few years ago, too, and I was really hoping she would not have it, but we will battle this disease together and fight for a better life for future generations.