Lymphedema question

jadeblue

OK, so I know that if you've had lymph nodes removed on one side, you should have blood pressure cuff, injections, etc. on the other side to minimize the risk of lymphedema. What if you've had lymph nodes removed on BOTH sides (soon to be my situation)? What options are there? How have others handled this?

Best,
Jade

slg2130

I had 4 removed on one side; 1 on the other.  I normally just have stuff done on the side where 1 node was removed.  They can take your blood pressure around your ankle, but it's always higher than around your arm.  I guess I just not to worry about it too much.

BoobsinaBox

Jade,

They take my BP on my ankle, and if you lie down with your feet level with your heart for 5 minutes first, then the BP reading is not really different.   IVs, blood draws and so on CAN be done in the feet, and while many techs and anesthesiologists will argue about it, you CAN insist and prevail.  If they won't give in, then you need a better tech or doc.  I've been at this for 5 years, and I've had all the above done successfully.  Good luck!

Dawn 

BoobsinaBox

I had my flu shot in my thigh.  Had to go to Visiting Nurses Assoc, as the drug store wouldn't do it.

Dawn 

Binney4

Dawn, for sure, getting flu shots is a bit inconvenient. The rest of the family can go to the grocery store, but all those public clinics have a policy of not doing it anywhere but in the arm. If there's an older nurse there I can usually slip up quietly to her and tell her I've had bilateral mastectomies, and she'll do it in my thigh. But I never have any luck with the younger ones. I get flu shots at my oncs office.

Jadeblue, I always get BP on my lower leg and blood draws from my foot. Most labs will tell you they won't do foot draws, but if you show up with the order in hand and the doctor has written "Draw from foot only" on it, they'll find a way to do it. The gal at my lab who does it sometimes brings her colleagues in to see how it's done. Afterwards, one of them said to her, "I don't see what's different about doing it in the foot." And my gal said, "Nothing. It's exactly the same, except that it's easier because the veins are bigger." Go figure!

There are a few things I do to make it easier. I take baby aspirin for a couple of days beforehand (check with your doctor first!) and make sure I'm well hydrated. Then I warm up a microwave heating pad and wrap it around my foot before I leave the house (not too hot!) While I'm sitting in the waiting room I keep bouncing my legs up and down to help the circulation. And I ask to lie down when doing the blood draw.

Wishing you smooth sailing with your up-coming surgery. Do let us know how it goes!

Warm hugs,
Binney

jadeblue

Wow...thanks, everyone. Lots of good suggestions and things to think about!