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Michele Karl's Personal Page
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Why I Walk....
Most of you coming to this page know why I walk. The obvious... for my three peas. In case you don't know Max and Gabe have ARPKD - Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease. This is a genetic disease that affects their kidneys and will ultimately lead to the need for a kidney transplant. That is the simple answer of what ARPKD is. It is actually a lot more complicated than that and includes cysts in their kidneys, high blood pressure, scarring on the liver (CHF), an enlarged spleen, poor growth, medication every day for the rest of their lives, many trips to the doctor with many tests being run, the need for extra water and concern for dehydration....... and on and on. This is a life long chronic illness that Max and Gabe have. But they are doing surprisingly well at this time and we are pretty "status quo" according to our doctors. They both have good kidney function and controlled high blood pressure and slightly enlarged spleens. They are also both a lot of fun. Max is now 9 and as I write this is away at sleep away camp for the first time and loving it. He is growing up and is such a sweet mature boy. He loves to play soccer, loves to read, and has a ton of friends. Gabe is now 3 and has his own little personality. He is also a very sweet boy and loves his older brothers! And not to leave Nate out even though he's my "healthy" one.... he's 6 and is really one of a kind!!
I also wanted to write how important the PKD Foundation has become to me. I am now the co-coordinator of the National ARPKD Chapter and feel very grateful that the foundation has been there to support me. I have made life long friends and have learned how to be of support to many other families with children with ARPKD and to families who have had babies die from this disease. There are no treatments and no cure for ARPKD and roughly 30% of babies born with ARPKD die at birth. That is why the Walk for PKD is so important to ARPKD. To raise money for much needed research and also to raise awareness of this relatively unknown and very rare disease.
Thank for you visiting my walk page. Thank you for listening to my story. Thank for learning more about ARPKD. And hopefully thank you for your donation - no matter how big or small any amount of money will go towards research, which I so appreciate.
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Honor Roll
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