In a heartwarming and poignant tale, one of three sisters suffering from a genetic kidney disease expresses her profound gratitude after receiving a kidney transplant, shedding light on their shared struggle with polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

Cheryl Lear, Michelle 'Nobi' Cotterill, and Samantha Bradley, affectionately known as the "renal cysters," have all been diagnosed with PKD, a hereditary condition characterized by the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys. This condition often goes unnoticed until later in life, and unfortunately, it has a lineage in their family history. Their mother, Judy, succumbed to complications from the disease in 2000 at the age of 60.

Nobi Cotterill, the middle sister at 45, was placed on the waiting list for a transplant in January. In a remarkable turn of events, she received a kidney transplant within just 13 hours, a procedure that revealed her kidney was an astonishing 26 times the size of a healthy one. Even in her joy, she is acutely aware that her younger sister, Samantha, who is currently waiting for a donor, remains in a precarious health situation.

"I was overjoyed to receive the call," Cotterill shared. "Yet, it’s bittersweet knowing my sister is still in need of a kidney. She has been unbelievably supportive throughout this entire process."

Samantha Bradley, 41, is also battling the effects of PKD. A lung cancer specialist nurse, she is presently on the waiting list and has temporarily stepped away from her clinical duties due to her debilitating condition. She relies on crutches and is undergoing dialysis to filter toxins from her body—a life-saving measure that she describes as a "waiting game."

"Every day is a challenge, but my dialysis is saving my life, so I choose to remain positive," Bradley said.

Cheryl Lear, the eldest sister at 46 and an organizational development practitioner, manages her condition with medication but anticipates needing a transplant in the future. The sisters, who all work for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, had appeared healthy during their upbringing, only to contend with the harsh realities of PKD later in life—facing fatigue, infections, and pain.

The plight of the 'renal cysters' not only highlights the medical difficulties of living with PKD but also the emotional and psychological support that they offer each other during this difficult chapter. The bond they share is a source of strength, reminding all that in the face of adversity, family can provide the comfort and resilience needed to face the toughest of challenges.

Polycystic kidney disease affects between 30,000 to 70,000 individuals across the UK, leading to complications like kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and in severe cases, kidney failure. Though there's currently no cure, treatment options like dialysis and transplantation have been life-saving for many.

As the sisters navigate their journeys, their story serves as an inspiring reminder of hope, familial love, and the ongoing battle against genetic diseases that affect so many families. Stay tuned for more updates as Samantha awaits her own life-changing call.