My dad had his kidney removed at 10 yrs old (almost 50yrs ago). He was told, and my grandparents, that his kidney was just a shell. I guess as the story goes that every year up to that point he'd get really sick at the family picnic. Then when he was about ten gramp took him to the hospital and the rest is history. Of course I have also heard his kidney was blocked too. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I'm worried for him and for the fact it could be something genetic. He's in fairly good health now but I still worry.