Getting your life back from Polycystic Kidney Disease

Sue Jobson is a British health coach, healer and writer who inspires people with kidney disease to get their health, happiness and freedom back. Here she shares her story on how she adapted her life after an out-of-the-blue diagnosis with Polycystic Kidney Disease almost 30 years ago, and how she now helps others to adopt the best ways for preventing kidney disease.

There are moments in life when you feel so good you want to burst. Everything feels effortless. Then there are times that feel like you are wading through treacle. Things feel so bad as you spiral downwards into the pit of despair. It is during those dark hours you pray someone or something will rescue you despite the odds.

At the age of 32 my two young children were trying to cope with their Mothers failing health.

At the hospital the neurologists were investigating me for Multiple Sclerosis, yet I walked away with a diagnosis of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD).
I was devastated. I knew nothing about the condition and furthermore, it is supposed to be genetic. So, I had my parents tested and they were cleared. My condition was a spontaneous mutation. Apparently one in ten people have no known family history. At the time, information about PKD was not available at the click of a mouse. What was available was limited and only offered doom and gloom: kidney failure by the age of 60. I sat in the waiting room of the renal clinic at my local hospital awaiting my first appointment. Everybody there looked unwell, some struggling to mount the few steps leading to the waiting area. Nervously, I chatted to people. I was afraid of what I may learn. However, my experience that day shaped my reality.

The nephrologist I saw was a research scientist. He brilliantly explained what PKD was and the implications for my family. He took the time to listen to me. Up until then I had been clueless. I asked if this will limit my life span. He smiled and replied “Put it this way, I have patients in their 80s who still have useful kidney function”. I did not expect that. I could not have imagined that he had just given me the best medicine possible. Hope. He planted a seed. He also gave me the belief that anything is possible. To this day, I am grateful for the seed of hope and self-belief that he planted within me. Anytime those sneaky doubts rear their ugly head, the smiling face of my nephrologist comes to the front of my mind.

Despite both of my children being diagnosed with PKD, I am pleased to say they are in good health. They are now both in their thirties. Even though I was devastated to learn about the diagnosis, I am confident that my positive outlook and inspiration will support them. I am determined to do whatever I can to inspire people to attain their dreams. I have studied several healing modalities alongside my professional life. Very few people were aware of my own health challenges. I wouldn’t let anyone shake my belief that anything is possible and that there is always hope.

I dig deep into myself and explore any blockages that may hold me back from being healthy. I have changed my eating habits to one that ensures optimum health and vitality. My biggest dream is to give other people what my nephrologist gave to me: hope, self-belief and the inspiration to enjoy good health, happiness and freedom.
Although my body has PKD, I am still me. I choose to be the best version of me. I make the time to be conscious of my health and wellbeing.

In October 2020 I will be 60, yet I have so much more that I would like to achieve, and peoples’ lives I would like to transform.

To learn more, you can visit Sue’s website here

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