A Grandparent’s Hope: A Future Free From PKD
Jim and Carol shared with the Alliance what it means to have a granddaughter born free of PKD.
The day I found out my daughter had lost the genetic lottery and inherited PKD was the saddest day of my life.
I didn't even know I had PKD when she was born. I was tested at 53. My mother had the disease, and her nephrologist recommended all her children get tested. When I got my results, my only concern was that I may have passed it on to our daughter. I never would have intentionally taken that chance.
When our daughter started thinking about having children, our family did genetic testing. She said that if she had PKD she wouldn't take the chance of her children inheriting this disease.
After getting the results, she looked into IVF and made a LOT of sacrifices to ensure our grandchildren would be PKD free.
It means everything to me to have a PKD free granddaughter. She is truly amazing: healthy, smart, athletic, very social, funny, and very, very loved. It means I HAVE a granddaughter that wouldn't exist if IVF wasn't available to guarantee she didn't have PKD.
It means her parents loved her so much before she existed to make sure she had the best chance for the healthiest life. It also means that my great grandchildren will never have to worry either. PKD has been eradicated in this family, and I am blessed beyond words.
