dialysis

At the time, Ms Brixey was already suffering from kidney failure and reliant on dialysis.

Many people with advanced PKD eventually require dialysis.

Early stages often produce no noticeable symptoms, while advanced disease may require dialysis, kidney replacement therapy, or a transplant.

While extremely uncommon, it requires urgent diagnosis and immediate treatment -- often including dialysis -- to remove excess acid and prevent life-threatening complications.

"He then had to have surgery to have dialysis tubes put in and he then had to commence dialysis," she said.