The Gift of Meghan

Meghan is a vibrant, energetic four year old.  She attends nursery school, ballet, Irish dancing, and music classes. 

I had a very uneventful pregnancy until the last trimester with low amniotic fluid and a lot of ultra sounds.  The US suggested unusual looking kidneys and recommended we follow up with an US when Meghan was four or five weeks old. 

My OB followed the pregnancy closely and decided to schedule a c-section.  Meghan was born three weeks early with no complications.  We were in love with our little girl from the minute she came into the world.  I followed up with the recommended US at five weeks and received a preliminary diagnosis of ARPKD/CHF.  I remember tears running down my cheeks the minute the radiologist said, "Do you have kidney disease in your family?"  What?  I felt like the wind was knocked out of me.  I was baffled.

My husband Dan and I learned more about APRKD/CHF and felt saddened.  We met our nephrologist and found out Meghan  had high blood pressure, but her kidney function was completely normal.  Yet, as we learned more about Meghan's prognosis we felt hopeful.  Meghan has been on blood pressure medication since five weeks of age to keep her pressure under control.  She continues to be monitored every six months and has had normal labs.  We feel truly blessed to have the gift of Meghan in our lives, and hope her condition stays under control and someday soon there will be treatments.