If you are here via Marla’s invitation to Marla’s Feast at Babette’s Cafe in October, welcome.

To learn our entire story visit the ABOUT page to the right ————–>.

In a nutshell, because of a gene both of us parents carry our children have the recessive form of PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease). We didn’t know it until our girl was born 6 years ago. Our son, three at the time, was found to have it as well. You can learn about The PKD Foundation, the non-profit organization that I began volunteering for because of their commitment to fund research the day after we learned about Gage’s PKD. Besides raising sick kids, being involved with the Foundation has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I’m thankful there is a way to turn our unlucky gene combo into positive action. 

This picture (Marla and Gage) was taken on a camping trip before last September, when Gage began dialysis and found us at Children’s Hospital 20 hours a week. As parents, we learned we were unable to donate last fall and that is when four friends came forward to be tested to see if they were suitable donors. The first two were and Jody went forward to testing. On March 27 our surgeons gave Gage her gently-used kidney and it’s been working like a champ since.

We still have a long way to go in the PKD world so our life is not without its challenges. Our daughter is 6 now and will have a transplant too – we just don’t know when. And probably, for them to live an average life span they will need more than one transplant. They are both on a ton of meds and have more doctor visits than I have in my life. But they are happy, well-adjusted (mostly) kids and cute as can be.

We think Marla rocks! On top of being a great chef and restaurateur, she’s got a big heart. Thanks Marla. We’ll be there by the way, trying to increase our check by ordering as many courses as we can handle!

If you have any questions about the PKD Foundation or us, please ask. We love new visitors; so pull up a chair and stay a while.