31 Days of PKD Challenges: #1

It's National Kidney Month - which means it's the first day of our 2nd Annual 31 Days of PKD Challenges!

PKD Challenge Day 1: GET EDUCATED! Our website offers great educational resources. Learn everything you need to know about polycystic kidney disease atwww.pkdcure.org/learn.

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #6 and BONUS: My Story

31 Days of PKD challenges #6: Educate someone.

Quick version of my story for PKD challenge.

Check out: http://www.pkdcure.org/hope

Polycystic kidney disease is a hereditary disease where cysts grow on your kidneys and cause damage and eventually kidney failure.

From the time I was tested at 21 I already had too many cysts for them to count in varying sizes on BOTH kidneys. I have spent a lifetime KNOWING eventually the shit would hit the fan and things would be not so good. Kidney failure, dialysis, eventual death (early I mean). I've made peace with not getting OLD. I DO try to do the things I should and am told to do to prolong the health of my kidneys and unfortunately I am not so good at some of them. There are MANY factors involved in it and what's left behind is the knowledge and understanding that I do the BEST I can with who I am, where I am and what I've got. I think that's all a person can do. The point is I FIGHT. In my own way, using my own strengths. It is a challenge but it is NOT over till the fat lady sings...and I AIN'T singing!! LOL

I want to get through it with grace and dignity. That is all.

This is a disease that runs in families. My grandmother had it and also her brothers. My father had it and two of his brothers. I hope that my children will be lucky enough to never have to deal with it but the older two are aware and the younger one has to live through it with me so he will see things I'd rather he didn't but we will have to talk about it if and when he wants to know. I would rather shelter him from the knowledge that it could happen to him so that he can build a life without a shadow hanging over his head. The older two are healthy and active and both work hard to stay that way so I HOPE and cross my fingers it will be enough.

IF I had known more or understood more when I was younger perhaps I would have felt different, been different, done different but it is water under the bridge now. I can't go backwards. I can't change yesterday. All I can do is work hard today and hope for tomorrow.

This is the hand I was dealt. So I do my best to handle it.

For more detailed information: Wikipedia

FB Status Yesterday

I am happy when I'm going along doing my thing...being mindful of my yes/no's and not going too far offside...sugar's good, BP good, mentally ok, feeling not too bad, not too tired, no gout flare ups (pain) for ages, emotions under control...NO stress at the moment, can focus on some things, AND hope for tomorrow...for a little wee bit of time I can delude myself that I am "normal"...unfortunately it is more than probable that the sicko lunatic and the disease living inside of me will wrestle for control and WIN...they battle me a lot. I WANT to be positive. I want to move forward. I want to enjoy the parts of my life that I CAN but, MOST of all things I just want to LIVE my life with the most dignity possible in the midst of insanity, illness and even my own weakness and negative attitude. I AM learning and growing and I don't mind saying that it is DAMN hard some days...my point is simply to share the expression of ONE "sick" person's journey so you can possibly understand...a LOT of what is happening to me is INSIDE and invisible to you. That doesn't mean it doesn't matter. If YOU are aware of someone or are related to someone going through such a journey...take one small moment of your time to let them know they are not alone or forgotten. They don't want you to FIX them...not all of them anyway...they just want to know you are there and that you do care. It can shine a light into the darkness. You have NO idea how bright that little light shining can be. (I am NOT asking for this myself...I am using MY words to share and hopefully inspire someone...anyone to open their eyes for someone else's NEED...I have words...many people do NOT.) ON my UP days I HAVE to shine a light. This is MY candle...please share the flame. ~KDB

Shine your OWN light into the darkness and pay it forward. xo

Bracelet ~02/28/2013

Received my medic alert bracelet FINALLY...

was a bit big (apparently my boy wrists have shrunk a bit)...

but I fixed it and added a little angel to the dangle part! ;)

Books to READ

See what helpful hints I can find with these books! ;)

Aranesp 02/21/2013

Another shot today and I'm managing to REMEMBER to take them so its all good.

Aranesp 02/07/2013

Yet another shot.
Tested BP today too and had a perfect 120/80.
Sugars have been very good again too so maybe I will stay here for awhile and not progress again too much further for awhile.
Wish me luck! ;)