LaLa Strong

03/12/2026

Today!!

Ask all the kidney questions you have! Let’s talk!

Be a donor!

03/10/2026

Peritoneal dialysis.
I tried this method first in 2015. This is an at home dialysis option. A catheter is placed in the abdomen, with the use of fluids toxins are pulled out of the body that the kidneys can’t get rid of themselves.
This method takes dedication and discipline. It is easier to travel while on this type of dialysis. The catheter hung from my abdomen about 2ft. I’d either have to tape it up or eventually I found a belt specially designed to hold the tubing when not in use.
Peritoneal dialysis comes with a machine, an overwhelming amount of supplies, frustration, alarms, depression, and loneliness.
Another treatment.
Not a cure.
Donate life.
You only need one.

Fun fact-the surgeon that placed and removed this catheter only had one eye. They don’t warn you of that before your consultation with him.

*These photos were taken on a cheap phone in 2015-not the best quality.

03/08/2026

“Emergency Dialysis”
That’s what they told me May 2, 2022. I didn’t know what that meant. The first time around I knew dialysis was coming. I had a fistula placed and there was a plan. Not this time. This time it was a tube placed in the jugular while I was awake talking to the nurses and surgeon. Holding my breath when told. Ultrasound guided. I saw the screen. I watched it cm by cm until it was in the right spot. And straight to dialysis for a treatment. I couldn’t shower with that catheter hanging from my chest. Six months other people washed my hair for me. Six months of tape and gauze and blisters. The tube inside occasionally stabbing my jaw from the inside when I’d eat or talk. It was miserable. Awake again when it was removed. Oh the pressure! Now a scar that often itches. Covered in one of my most cherished tattoos. My life motto from when I started dialysis. “Live Happy”. The second time through dialysis I lived up to that motto with intention. Oh I HATED those tubes but I never let them stop me. I wore outfits that showed them and saw the looks. Answered questions when people would ask.
Dialysis. A life saving treatment. Not a cure. Pain. Depression. Beeping. Blood. Nurses. Fellow warriors.
Be a living donor.
Choose to be a deceased donor.
Donate life.

03/07/2026

03/05/2026

Your strong isn’t my strong and my strong isn’t yours. Don’t compare our journeys they aren’t the same.
I’ve had to be strong because my own kidneys fought against me. I’ve had to be strong because I didn’t get a fair chance. If you’ve had to be strong for any reason, I’m proud of you! Keep going!

03/05/2026

I missed yesterday so I’ll post something later too.
Just getting the word out about kidney health, kidney disease, and all other things kidney.

03/03/2026

They don’t want to get sick so they want the sick to stay home. I don’t want to die so I figured out how to keep myself safe knowing sick people don’t stay home. We are not the same!

This is reality for someone that takes medication to eliminate their immune system so that their body lets them keep their transplanted organ. Transplant is NOT a cure. Transplant IS a treatment. A simple cold could send me into rejection. If I lived in fear of getting sick or blamed others for me getting sick, I’d never leave my house. I learned what I had to do to keep myself from getting sick. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t been able to keep myself from every germ that’s gone around but I’ve avoided most bugs over the years!

Fun fact: I’ve been more sick and shown more flu like symptoms from a UTI than any bug that’s gone around-stomach or respiratory.

Kidney disease takes a toll on the ENTIRE body. Kidney transplant only gets you off the machine, you’re still sick. Protect your kidneys.

03/02/2026

Becoming a donor is one of the best decisions you could ever make.

03/01/2026

Kidney disease awareness month. Ask all the questions. Know all the things. It’s not preventable but it is manageable.
Im an advocate for awareness!!! The more you know the more you can do!

02/07/2026

So I’m at the hospital getting checked out from the wreck yesterday. (Hello shoulder/neck and hip pain)
The Dr that’s working helped keep me alive when I almost stroked out for a second time shortly after my first stroke. When he realized who I was, he stopped everything that was going on and went to grab this lady.
Dr O’Brien.
She’s the one that ultimately made the decisions that saved my life when I had my stroke.
She remembered me and even told me specifics from that day from her perspective. The amount of gratitude I have for this woman can’t even be explained.
Dr Walsh, the one on call today, keeps saying “you look good for having been dead.” “It’s patients like you that keep me from retiring. I like interesting people and you are interesting and keep me entertained.” Keep in mind he is probably 65-70 years old.
These drs are drs in a very busy emergency room. They’ve seen 1,000s of patients since Aug 12, 2023. They both remember me like this all happened yesterday. That’s quality drs. These are drs that should be cherished and be mentors for all.
What a whirlwind of emotions this morning.

01/30/2026

Getting the cyst checked. Wish they would have removed it in November. 😖

01/19/2026

Yall try to contain yourselves. Don’t be lining up at my door for this.

🤦‍♀️ as if knowing you’ll take this for the rest of your life isn’t enough…..they feel the need to remind you that it’s actually dangerous…..cool.