My Name is Mike. 

I am a retired veteran that has a heredity caused disease and I am in need of a kidney.  

Here is my story. .........

I have Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). It is a genetic disorder where fluid-filled cysts develop in the kidneys, leading to kidney enlargement and impaired function. My father had it, he died at 60 due to unrelated issues. My grandfather had it and passed away due to complications caused by the disease, he passed when my father was a young child. I knew I had it when I was about 40. I have been able to keep issues at bay by keeping a watchful lifestyle all these years, but time has caught up to me. 

My kidney function is at the lowest functioning stage, 5, at around 13% and dropping, 

Some Symptoms I Experience That Is Caused by Polycystic Kidney Failure: Abdominal pain, blood in the urine, high blood pressure, increased urination at night, bloated belly due to kidney enlargement, headaches, fatigue, cramping, diverticula,  anemia, heart valve issues, brain aneurysms, and body swelling. 

Management: There's no cure for PKD, but treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications, including medications, lifestyle changes, and, in severe cases, kidney transplantation or dialysis. Both dialysis and transplant have pros and cons. Dialysis means a lot of time hooked to a machine, a lot of medications, and often times a lot of hospital visits and emergencies in an effort to keep the body filtering enough to prevent death. Transplant will involve surgery and a lifetime of drugs to reduce organ rejection, but offers a more normal lifestyle. I would like to choose the latter. 

About Me:

Born to a military family, I'm a retired veteran of the USAF myself. My military career was dedicated to Avionic support of the U-2 and SR-71 aircraft programs, mostly in California. It was where I would meet my beautiful wife and share a happy life with. I traveled to several locations around the world in support of the military, and towards the end of my career I served in the Logistics Division where I assisted sustaining old systems and developing new ones. My most important effort was in the upgrade to the glass cockpit in the U-2 which replaced the ancient dials and indicators for the pilot. 

My Hobbies:

Fishing, restoring classic cars, computer gaming, bowling, music, travel, asian cuisine, electronic repair, model building, metalworking, and graphic design are among the most common ones. Below are a few of the logos I designed when I was in the military that were used on varous items and sold at fund raisers for the organizations I worked for. 

Getting a live kidney from a donor is the preferred method due to less complications and longevity. I have never had any surgeries, but I would like to proceed with this one and add a few more good years to my life. I've had a few friends offer their kidneys. But they have been disqualified due to cancers, and other medical issues. As a donor you need to be in good health and will have to be tested in various ways. 

I usually get the "you look fine" comments when I tell people about my story. And most days I feel okay, but inside I feel that things are very off. It's a lot harder to do simple things, and some things I cannot do any more. I can feel the progression inside, but outside it does not show much yet. I try to keep a positive outlook and keep as healthy as I can.

I thank you for reading my story. If you can offer a wish or a prayer it would be appreciated too. 

Things to know - 

1. There is no cost to you as a kidney donor!!! All hospital fees are paid by insurance of the recipient.  

2. You will function normally with one kidney. Should something happen in the future that requires you to need a kidney, you will be expedited in the transplant list since you already shared the gift of life with someone else.  

3. I am blood type B+, but does blood type matter? Sort of, but it's not the main consideration in finding a match. You can donate to me even if incompatible, and the kidney program will locate a kidney that matches me more directly. Your kidney will help someone else in need and I get one that someone else has offered. If you're willing to donate, please don't let blood type hold you back. This program is the called the Paired Exchange program and can be discussed more in depth if you are a qualified candidate. 

4. Health issues that will cause you to not be considered a donor - obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infections, frequent kidney stones, history of cancer, lifestyle (heavy smoking, drinking, or alcohol use), or surgical/organ issues found during the evaluation process.  

5.  You do not need to travel if you are a long distance away. The Paired Exchange program discussed above can be used in this cas as well.

6. You can remain anonymous if desired.

7. Living with one kidney does not diminish your life expectancy or quality of life, but it will help me live. 

To start the evaluation process - 

If you would like to donate a kidney to me, my name is Michael Polenske. I am currently listed at two hospitals for transplant. If one hospital does not accept you, the other may. 

To start the evaluation process at Emory in Atlanta GA please go to this link  -   emorylivingdonor.org/ 

To start the evaluation process at Mayo in Jacksonville FL, please go to this link - 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/forms/florida-living-donor-transplant  

Please consider sharing this website on your own site or social media to help spread awareness and visibility. 

Thank you.