Questions on Double Masectomy

I had nodes taken on both sides as well but a few years apart. The most recent is where they took many nodes and the first was just a couple. The hospital and doctors refuse to take blood from my leg despite recommendations. So they do the oldest side where fewer nodes were taken. I find it very frustrating. Best wishes

I had a lumpectomy in rt. breast and then needed surgery on my left upper arm.  During that surgery they took bp from ny foot.

Have RA in my hands and went to a hand surgeon about problem with right wrist and he said I either need a wrist replacement or a wrist fusion.  Spoke to my bs since I had 6 lymph nodes removed on the right side,  He said I CAN have the surgery since "it is so low down on the arm".  I have not had the surgery and am postponing it as long as I can for reasons not related to the bc.

Judy

Butterfly, that's a good question, and I'm really sorry you're in a position to have to ask it. Still, there are good answers, and I hope you'll get good cooperation on it.

Even though most lymphedema shows up within a couple of years of treatment, it can happen at any time, so the older side is not necessarily better. It depends on a number of factors. Some women want to protect their dominant side (right if you're right-handed) because lymphedema in the dominant arm or hand is naturally harder to deal with and more debilitating than on the non-dominant side. Others use the side with the fewest nodes removed, though there are other factors too that can increase lymphedema risk on either side -- like previous surgeries or trauma, or surgical complications (infection, seroma). 

But these are your arms, so it's important to keep in mind that you have something to say about how they're used. You can refuse blood tests, injections, and blood pressure in both arms, if you decide to go that route. In that case they would use your calf for blood pressure, your hip or buttocks for injections, your foot for blood draws, and your foot or neck (sounds worse than it is) for IVs. If you have a history of blood clots, that's a contraindication to the use of your legs, but otherwise it's your call.

To get blood tests done on your foot, the order sheet must have "Draw from foot only" written on it by your doctor's office. If you call a lab and ask if they'll do it they will invariably tell you no, so take the lab sheet with you and just show up, and they'll almost always come up with some way to arrange it for you, even if it's not their "policy."

Judy, you can certainly have surgery on your arm or hand if you need it, but it has nothing to do with how "low down on the arm" it is -- the entire arm is at risk clear to your hand (in fact, that entire quadrant of your body is at risk including your side, chest and back). Here's information about surgery in an arm or chest at risk for lymphedema:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Medical_Care_lymphedema.htm
Scroll clear down to the bottom of the page for the section on Guidelines for Surgery.

We have lots of women dealing with these issue on the Lymphedema board here. Please do feel welcome to come lurk or join the conversation there!

Be well!
Binney

I had bilat at time of Dx....BC side was modified radical Mx with axillary dissection (1st layer only)...prophy side was simple Mx.....they use prophy side for blood draws and B/P...I have also had B/P taken on ankles...    I've had surgery on both wrists...and on write (BC side twice)...when surgery was  on left wrist is when they used legs...