John Vallarelli

John Vallarelli

I was diagnosed in 1993. Initially hospitalized for diverticulitis, I had a CAT scan and the next morning, seven doctors showed up to my room and told me I have PKD. Was I shocked? No; surprised, yes. My mom had it, too, and was doing ok. Several weeks later, as my...
Renata Mendes

Renata Mendes

I was diagnosed 10 years ago. I had low back pain for some weeks, so I went to emergency and they sent me to an orthopedist. After a few days taking orthopedist pills and still dealing with back pain, I went back to emergency after blood started appearing in my urine....
Tracey Barbour

Tracey Barbour

I found out I had PKD 10 years and 5 months ago, one month after I got married. A routine blood test showed I had a raised level of creatinine. I didn’t even know what creatinine was. It was 1.8. They sent me for a 24 hour urinalysis, which led them to send me...
Chris Dwyer

Chris Dwyer

I found out last year by accident. I had an arthrogram done for a torn hip labrum. Two days later the orthopedic surgeon called and let me know that I had an extensive tear of the labrum and that they had also found a large mass in my abdomen. I was ordered to get a...
Skyla Tanner

Skyla Tanner

I have a disease. I don’t like the way those words sound. So, I don’t speak of it often. In fact, many days I ignore it. Even when my body is screaming loud with signs and symptoms. It’s been 10 years since I was diagnosed. Adult onset, they call it. I was more than a...