Lymphodema

Welcome to the BC.org forums Ckb234!  Sorry to hear about your new diagnosis and upcoming surgery.  I would like to suggest that you repost your question under the Lymphedema forum where you will get responses from many knowledgeable members more quickly there.

You can try this link and see if it works.  If not just look under the ALL TOPICS tab and scroll down until you find the LYMPHEDEMA forum.

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64

I can give you very quick input on your question and tell you that when a patient is at bilateral risk for LE or already has bilateral involvement of their arms, an IV can be inserted into a foot or into a vein in the neck fairly easily. While there is no clinical research data that can confirm a definite connection between IVs and development of lymphedema, there are enough anectdotal reports that would suggest using caution whenever possible.  I have had 2 separate cancer diagnoses 5 years apart and developed lymphedema in my left arm after the second diagnosis during chemotherapy.  I allowed my right arm (the side of the original cancer) to be used for IVs and wrist BPs for more than 6 years.  I have recently developed early stage lymphedema now in that arm also.

While my LE development was not due to an IV but due to holding a heavy weight in an emergency situation, I think each individual must be aware of the risks and discuss their options thoroughly with their physicians prior to any invasive procedure.  Please discuss your LE risk with your surgeon and his nursing staff as soon as possible so they will have the information they need to provide alternatives to using your arms.  If you have a LE therapist please schedule an appointment so she can evaluate the current status of both your arms and also provide MLD to get your lymph system into the best shape possible right prior to your surgery.  You may also want to ask your LE therapist to follow you on a regular basis following your surgery if needed.  If you do not currently have a therapist, please check out the Step-Up/Speak-Out website for all kinds of LE related information.  You will find info on how to find a qualified therapist at this link:

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

Please come find us on the Lymphedema forum and I am sure you will find many more suggestions and advice there. 

I had 10 nodes taken from my left (IDC) side and 4 nodes taken from my right (LCIS) side at my BMX. I woke up with an IV in my right arm.

For all my reconstruction surgeries after the BMX I have the IV put in my foot.

I have also had 2 liver scans. One right after chemo and another 1 year later. I had to fight both times but again got the IV (dye injection) in my foot.

Be sure to discuss this with your doctors and insist they all put it in their notes for surgery. My PS did this and I had no problems what-so-ever. 

Hey, hey! That's really good news! Hope you can shed the drain soon and be free to move forward. Waiting out the path reports is an extreme sport--hugs while you wait, and looking forward with you to only good news. Please do let us know what you discover.

Be well!
Binney