Pam's Lil Kidney / PLK's Journey

So far, I had to become a complete brat to get my checkmarks done.  Feels like when I was building this house.  I new one of us was doing it for the first time (me), but I had no clue the other side ACTS like it.  So I have to become the Team Lead and that's fine, but then don't screw with me, because I WILL lead.  I'm hoping I'm restoring confidence for them as well that I only grow horns and tail as needed, then they go away. -------------------- Since each time I use Linda's name (for whatever reason), I'm still greeted with a bit of a gasp, I'm pretty confident Linda is the Grand Poo-Bah and it was a relief and huge pleasure to meet her on my first day of chemo.  Below is just for me because I don't want to lose the trail.  She played a big part in restoring my confidence and keeping me positive and resolute.  Since this we've visited a couple of times and I enjoy her immensely. (ps. with Cycle 1 about to complete, so far everything she told me w...

Warning ~ Science Nerd Alert! ~ Funny, I don't "feel" smarter, but I AM more and more fascinated!  My Smart Port Since I'll be hooked up to IV's 3x/week (maybe every week) for 12-16 weeks, I get my very own port installed in my chest and here's what I know so far... this is so cooooool! I completely nerd out on science stuff, so you might get bored and skip this! Ultrasound IV For me, the second hurdle to surgery became the IV.  After my kidney removal, my heart is gratefully not pumping through the stage 4 tumor, so my blood pressure has dropped back to lower-than-normal lows and I'm learning my veins are considered small.  Add to that, they're getting pissed off being unsuccessfully and repeatedly poked.  Sigh.  They can't get a vein for the surgery IV, but instead of keeping on poking, they call the "pick team."  In rolls the ultrasound and Batman Danny lets me quiz him.  He shows me multiple veins on the ultrasound that are like an in...