My aunt Lori Wilding and my uncle Brent have been battling Lori’s kidney disease, called PKD  all of her adult life. It has also affected her liver. Brent and Lori owned the Checkered flag Party Store in downtown Soo Michigan for over 25 years. 

She has endured multiple hospital visits including multiple surgery’s to help reduce the cysts that have formed on the organs. Her last major episode had her medevaccd to Henry Ford in Detroit where she spent time in the ICU unit. 

Lori has been moved to every 2nd day for Kidney Dialysis with the hopes of improvement. Her doctor at War Memorial Hospital has suggested her best chances for improvement will be found at the Mayo clinic in Minnesota which is not covered by Michigan Medicaid, as we found out today.

Covid has made the last year even more difficult, having to isolate from their son, Wade and his fiancé Michaela for much of the time till they were all able to be vaccinated. They have been unable to go to Goulais to their cabin and relax. The extended family hasn’t been able to visit, or truly help in any way with the border being shut. 

Lori and Brent will need multiple visits to the Mayo Clinic, including transportation, hotel and meals along with the medical costs incurred at the clinic. It is a difficult time to travel, trying to distance yourself from others and stay safe during these times. 

A brief description of the disease:

PKD - Polycystic Kidney disease, is an inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts (liquid filled) develop on the surface of the kidneys causing them to enlarge and lose function or time. The cysts can also burst internally, which is extremely painful and also can cause internal infection.

This disease has also spread to Lori’s liver which is PLD enlarging her liver. Her kidneys are failing and large but her liver is the biggest thing in there right now. They cant get to her kidneys without reducing the cysts on the liver. 

For more information on this disease, please visit:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polycystic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352820