Live and Battle

This is a short version story of my life. At 57 years old with lots of life lived, there are lots to say but will keep this unedited story short. It will detail my health struggles and those of my family in my own words. There may be some spelling errors and even wrong punctuation in some spots. It comes with faults, just like me. Polycystic Kidney Disease, Kidney Dialysis, Non-Matching Kidney Transplant, Melanoma, Basel cell carcinoma, Squamous Cell carcinoma, B and T cell Lymphoma, Waldenstrom Syndrome. My last three cancer/lymphoma diagnosis are non-curable. At the heart of this struggle was my mom, a vibrant young woman in her early 40’s. She worked tirelessly, dedicating herself to her career, determined to help provide for the family despite her disease. This also allowed her to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of doctor's appointments, hospital visits and home dialysis treatments. She was the hand that guided us, an unwavering presence that filled our hearts. She did not speak much of her condition or her struggles to us kids. I now know personally how dealing with a chronic illness can be challenging and people may have different reasons for not discussing it openly. I would imagine in her case she wanted to protect us from worrying. Sadly, on June 19, 1996, at age 59, in the quiet of a hospital room, surrounded by the soft hum of medical equipment and the gentle whispers of loved ones, my mom lost her battle with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) In the years that followed, In the quiet solitude of a doctor's office, my world shifted on its axis with a single diagnosis – Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). As the words hung heavy in the air, I felt a wave of emotions wash over – fear, confusion, and a profound sense of déjà vu. It came as a devastating blow. I quickly realized that PKD was not just a burden to bear but a challenge to overcome. I was blessed with a Kidney Transplant on December 1, 2009. A non-matching kidney transplant at that. My donor and I did not have the same blood type As I share my story openly with you, I must be open about where my depression is today. I find it hard to engage socially or simply maintain my usual routine. I feel like I am in a constant fight to stay healthy. I have been since my early days of kidney disease and now even more so with so many diagnoses. I am tired. I force myself to exercise.