Liz's Story
Liz is a mother, a wife, and a former finance professional whose life was turned upside down when her husband Simon was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). She shares her journey — one of love, resilience, and the quiet toll PKD can take on families — in her own words.
“I met Simon when I was 17 and he was 19. We were young, full of plans and energy, with no idea what life had in store. When Simon was diagnosed with PKD at 21, it came as a shock. There was no family history, so it was classed as a spontaneous mutation — something that happens to around 10% of people with the condition. We didn’t know what it would mean long term. We carried on, built our careers, and started a family.
In 2007, everything changed. Simon’s kidney function declined rapidly. Our children were just two and four years old. It was an incredibly difficult time for all of us. Fortunately, he was able to avoid dialysis because his mum donated a kidney, and he had his first transplant in 2008. That gave us some precious stability and allowed us to keep going as a family.
But PKD is relentless. After several years, and a double nephrectomy along the way, that transplant began to fail. By 2015, aged just 42, Simon’s kidney function dropped again — this time, he wasn’t so lucky. He had to start dialysis, which brought a new wave of complications. His fistula failed, so he needed a Tesio line. It was a frightening time.
I made the decision to step away from my career in finance. I’d worked hard to reach a senior role, but the reality was, Simon needed care, and our business needed running. I stepped in to help run the family Pattern Making business based in Cambridgeshire. It was a steep learning curve, but I had to do it for all of us.
Emotionally, those years were some of the hardest. Simon isn’t someone who talks about how he feels, and I found myself doing the same — putting on a brave face for our children.
Our son was diagnosed with PKD at just nine, which brought new worries. We didn’t want them to carry the weight of it all, but of course, they did in their own way.
In 2018, we were given another chance. Thanks to Simon’s sister Linda and the paired donation scheme, he received his second transplant. Once life began to feel more stable, I found the space to think about the future. That’s when Chester & Cooke began to take shape.
It started with a boot jack Simon had made me years earlier. I loved how practical and personal it was. I wanted to design and make beautiful countryside-inspired products that solved a need, were built to last, and felt uniquely British. With no background in retail or design, I started small — learning everything from branding to websites, mostly by trial and error!
Now, we sell a growing range of country living products, from boot jacks and welly racks to seed boxes and equestrian gear. Everything is still handmade by us in our workshop in Cambridgeshire, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. As a small thank you to the PKD community, I’m offering a 10% discount throughout July 2025 using the code PKD10 at checkout. I'm also donating 10% of my profits to PKD Charity during its 25th anniversary year.
We’ll celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in 2026 — a milestone we feel incredibly lucky to reach.
And as the PKD Charity marks its anniversary this year, I hope our story reminds others that behind every diagnosis is a family doing their best, finding strength in unexpected places."
To take advantage of Liz’s special offer, head to www.chesterandcooke.co.uk. When you make a purchase, simply enter the code PKD10 at checkout to receive 10% off. This offer is valid throughout July 2025 — a heartfelt thank you from Liz to the PKD community.
If you would like to speak to us about what support we can offer you or a loved one, please visit PKD Support or contact us today and speak to a member of our team.
ADPKD, Transplant, Fundraising, Dialysis, Living Donation, Organ Donation, PKD, PKDTreatment