Congratulations on your pregnancy,” a well-meaning older lady calls over to me. I’m standing on a bus, in Greece, on holiday with my husband Richard. I simply nod and smile but she then makes a big deal of telling a passenger to give up their seat for me. I’m mortified.
It’s a situation I’ve become oddly accustomed to, but I’m not preparing to bring a child into the world. I have autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) – a condition that could ultimately kill me.
I have a cyst in my kidneys that will continue to grow until there’s no kidney left. It causes my stomach to protrude. And my kidney, which is meant to clean my blood and rid my body of toxins, will soon be completely unable to function.
I’ve learnt to hide my visible symptom – the swollen stomach – with baggy clothes in the winter. However, in the summer months, especially on holiday, it’s more difficult. Plus, I still want to wear nice things and feel pretty. I have to accept the dirty looks I get for ordering a glass of wine while looking pregnant.
It was 2010 when I was told my body, and more specifically my kidneys, were betraying me.
My mum had ADPKD and as it’s hereditary, I thought it was sensible to get checked out, despite feeling healthy at the time.
When the doctor told me the results of my ultrasound, I was shocked. It felt like my world was coming to an end. Richard was really upset but he tried to be strong for me. We kept a lot of the realities of my diagnosis from the children.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 22, 2023 من New UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 22, 2023 من New UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
'SECRETS DON'T STAY BURIED'
Bad Sisters returns for a second series with the Garvey siblings in the spotlight again after the dismembered body of JP's father turns up
'I WAS KISSING HIM AND RUBBING HIS BELLY!'
Interior Design Masters host Alan Carr chats about meeting Pudsey Bear, Simon Cowell's toilet paper and his own dubious home purchases
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VAPING
E-cigarettes have never been more popular, but vaping isn't as risk-free as people might think it is
Teen murders mum then lures stepdad home to shoot him too
Carly Gregg fired her mum's gun as she searched her bedroom for drugs
'I took one huge gasp and ran in'
Lifesaver Emily Greenwood tells new how she rescued two people swept out to sea
'Clair's married to the biggest fool'
James and Clair Buckley on having fun at home and their hilarious new podcast
Louise set for best year yet
As loved-up pop star Louise Redknapp celebrates her 50th birthday, a source tells new that marriage 'could be on the cards'
'Surprisingly, I quite like the muscle aches'
Jamie Borthwick reveals how he juggles filming for EastEnders alongside long rehearsal days on Strictly
It's been on my vision board - I've loved it'
Reality star Molly Smith on manifesting her new lingerie campaign and setting up home with boyfriend Tom Clare
Chloe is ready to 'find happiness'
After her turbulent split from James Haskell, Chloe Madeley is learning to love herself again, a source tells new