Two Questions

You shouldn't shave under the arm you are having radiation on- shaving scrapes away a layer of skin along with the hair- and you need all the layers of skin you can get during rads.  It also irritates the skin- something you don't need during rads either.  I didn't shave and in about 2 weeks into rads all the hair fell out any way- one benefit of rads! 

You cannot have trauma to the arm you have a sentinal node biopsy on because it could cause lymphedema (swelling of the arm)- it is painful and never goes away.  You also have to be careful not to get cuts or bug bites etc.  any trauma can set lymphedema off.  There is a thread on here just for that- check it out if you want to.  Hope you have smooth sailing through everything. Tami

Janey and Donnamarie, I don't know how protecting yourself from a lifetime of lymphedema -- which is distressing, often disabling, and can actually become life-threatening in the case of infection related to lymphedema -- could ever be considered "over-cautious." Unfortunately, our doctors are not taught much about the lymph system in their medical education, so a lot of us have been unpleasantly surprised to find their advice on that issue unreliable.

I had one node removed from my bc side, and a prophylactic mastectomy on the other side, and I have lymphedema on both sides. There are many of us on the "Lymphedema After Surgery" board with the same story. The risk following SNB is lower than after AND -- it's about 7%. (If you have radiation, of couse, that raises the risk, as do a number of other factors.) But you really don't want to be in that 7%, so tell them all kindly but firmly that your affected arm is off limits from here on out.

Here's a page you might want to copy to take to your docs:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/what_we_need_healthcare_providers_to_know_about_lymphedema.htm

Or send them to the National Lymphedema Network here:

http://www.lymphnet.org

The medical professionals who know about and treat lymphedema are not doctors, but well-qualified lymphedema therapists. A referral by any doctor on your team can get you an appointment with one for evaluation, personalized tips for risk reduction, baseline arm measurements for future reference, and fitting for a sleeve and glove to wear prophylactically for exercise and travel. Here's a page for finding a fully-trained lymphedima therapist near you:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

Hope that helps, and that you never have to join us "sisters of swell!"

Be well!
Binney

Lymphadema is certainly distressing and is definitely cause for concern.  However, as someone who just finished chemo, and had SNB on BOTH sides, not using an arm wasn't an option.  I was advised to use the non-cancerous side for blood draws and chemo.  Thankfully, the arm seems to be OK.   

Stacy, if you so choose you can protect both arms. Blood pressures can be done on the leg, IVs and blood tests in the foot (sounds worse than it actually is), and injections in the hip or thigh. It's your call, though you're likely to get some eye-rolling from nurses or docs who don't understand the risk. In fact, if you develop lymphedema in your arms you won't be able to use them and will have to use alternative sites (and you'll still get eye-rolling from those medical folks who know little about lymphedema and find our alternatives inconvenient).

Just a thought,
Binney

Donnamarie, Tuesday (day after tomorrow) will be good. You'll need a referral (from any one of your doctors) to a well-trained lymphedema therapist. I posted a link above to help you find one in your area and know what questions to ask, but I'll put it here as well to make it easier:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

Numbness and swelling are signs of lymphedama. Also you might have tingling, aching, or heaviness, or just plain "a weird feeling." Getting help promptly, as you are, will mean quicker response to treatment and an easier time controlling it. It will also help prevent spread of the swelling and reduce your infection risk.

Infection is another cause of sudden swelling, though. So if you notice redness or rash, warmth to the touch, fever or other flu-like symptoms, or itching, do get help at once, even after hours at the ER. Infection in an arm at risk for lyphedema can spread quickly, so antibiotics are needed quickly.

I'm really sorry about all the worries and "side trips" that come with this breast cancer diagnosis! Hang in there, you'll soon be back in control of your life!

Gentle (((hugs!)))
Binney