Todd’s PKD Journey
Learn about Todd’s journey with PKD and how his family, friends, and a growing squad are helping turn challenges into hope.
Todd’s PKD Journey
Learn about Todd’s journey with PKD and how his family, friends, and a growing squad are helping turn challenges into hope.
Hi there!
For those who don’t know me, my name is Todd. I was 20 years old when I was diagnosed with kidney disease. I was in the ER for something completely unrelated and a chest scan revealed cysts on my kidneys and liver – the diagnosis: Polycystic Kidney Disease, or “PKD.”
Hi there!
For those who don’t know me, my name is Todd. I was 20 years old when I was diagnosed with kidney disease. I was in the ER for something completely unrelated and a chest scan revealed cysts on my kidneys and liver – the diagnosis: Polycystic Kidney Disease, or “PKD.”
PKD runs in my family and somewhere in my subconscious, I knew it was a possibility yet one I wasn’t ready to face. I had just seen my mother (a true champion and survivor) receive a life-saving kidney from my father. What was this going to mean for me?
At 20, I wasn’t ready to think about it.
Fast forward 30 years and I'm in my home town, celebrating my 50th birthday, surrounded by dear friends and family. It’s amazing how life moves so quickly.
I’m married to my wife, Juli, and our two beautiful daughters, Eden and Maeve, are teenagers in the same high school where I roamed the halls. I'm happiest spending time with family and friends – camping, gardening, cooking huge meals with records blasting, planning our next vacation to a shoreline.
But PKD is tough - it lies dormant and then emerges one day, maybe in your forties or fifties, with symptoms and complications that lead to kidney failure. I am now in early stage 5 kidney failure and active on the wait list for a donor. Waiting for a kidney means slowing down to safeguard my health.
Most days I am very tired; cautious with food and drink; and careful about exposure to sickness. I look forward to the other side of this journey, when I can once again enjoy travelling abroad, swimming in the ocean, and raising a toast. Until then, thank you for taking the time to read this, and for supporting PKD awareness and advocacy.