According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14% of Americans are living with kidney disease. I first brought you the story of Ed Strickler, a man living with stage 4 polycystic kidney disease, back in April 2024. We spoke about a fundraiser they threw to raise money for when he can no longer work while getting a transplant. So, I decided to check back in to see how things were going for him.
“It’s gotten a little worse. I’m experiencing more pain in my joints. More swelling. Some mornings, it’s hard to get out of bed because I’m in so much pain,” said Strickler. Though Strickler is experiencing more pain than the last time we spoke, he still works to provide for his family. He was diagnosed with a hereditary form of polycystic kidney disease when he was 30 years old and is currently still waiting for a kidney transplant. “I hope everything works out and I just want to just come through on the other side, hopefully, better than I was when I went in,” said Strickler.