When you receive a diagnosis of Polycystic Kidney Disease, among the many pieces of information you receive is the now oft-repeated phrase, “This isn’t a death sentence.”
What takes a bit of time to sink in is the the concept that although PKD isn’t a death sentence, it is a Life Sentence. Until such time as medical science can alter our genes and their actions concerning our kidneys, we are PKD patients until the day we die.
It is a 24/7 experience.
It is an experience that may be difficult to share with people who can’t or won’t invest the time and energy to be on the receiving end of your attempts to describe, explain, share, vent, or emote what your experiencing.
And those who may be “there for you” initially, may become a bit weary of “receiving” the “gory details” of your experiences on the PKD Odyssey. You don’t want to “push” your friends away. You know you can’t constantly “bend their ears.” You yourself have listened to enough “tales of woe” from other people.
So, how do you release the “emotional pressure” that is built up as you undertake the challenges of the PKD Odyssey?
These days, many people write blogs about their journey on the PKD Odyssey. This can be very helpful, both for the writer, who gets to express his.her feelings about he journey, and for the potential reader, who, as a fellow traveller on the Odyssey, can get the benefit of the writer’s experience.
For my part, I blog in order to share not only my experiences on the PKD Odyssey, but also to share “hints” or “techniques” that I’ve “picked up along the way,” especially as a Coach and a trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
When it comes to describing, explaining, sharing, venting, or emoting your PKD challenges, I can help you communicate your experiences by assisting you to use more sensory descriptions of what you are actually experiencing.
So I may ask you, “Does your fear have a color?” or “When you experience the hesitation of telling a loved one of your latest setback, where in your body do you feel that hesitation?”
And, chances are, you will come up with an answer! Thus more fully describing the totality of your experience, and feeling that you have more effectively communicated what you are actually going through!
Most of your friends probably have the skill or willingness to undergo this sort of internal exploration.
If you find that you are frustrated in expressing to people what you’re going through on your PKD Odyssey, feel free to give me a holler at:
and schedule a “Complimentary Consultation” to discover how we might work together to make your PKD Odyssey as smooth as it possibly can be for you!
PKD may be a “Life Sentence,” but it doesn’t have to imprison you!
Peace and Blessings!
Coach Richie Perl
Certified Professional Coach
Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming
