Medical alert bracelet

Grt42 I never thought of a bracelet---and it should say how many nodes were taken out of each arm.?or how many positive nodes were taken? No one has ever mentioned bracelets before--I have a card that says I have a port, but that's as far as I go. I've never even see anything like thst except for medic alert bracelets, I guesd that would do, engraving sll the nodes---but they are ugly.

So I would put either arm and that's it. right??\

You can find some lovely medical alert
bracelets at these places



http://www.laurenshope.com/



http://www.creativemedicalid.com/shop_



http://www.hahoriginals.com/content/lymphedema.php



http://www.tlcdirect.org/Stainless-Steel-Lymphedema-Medical-ID-Bracelet.html

During my entire diagnosis and surgical treatment for IDC  last fall and winter, none of my medical team really stressed the importance of taking LE precautions. In fact, they MINIMIZED the possibility, as I'd only had an SNB on the left side. Later, when I met with the LE specialist at the hospital (at my request) I learned so much more.

The morning after my BMX, a nurse came into my room to take my vitals. We chatted; she shared with me that she had also had a BMX the previous year. Then before I knew it, she had that BP cuff wrapped around my left arm, and was inflating it.

At the same time, we looked at each other and yelled "NOOOO!" She immediately took the cuff off, then got angry because there wasn't a sign posted above my bed prohibiting BPs, blood draws, etc, on the left side. I told her that wasn't my responsibility.

I asked at Kaiser if there could be something in my chart, or on the computer, that would flag my file to reflect the need for LE precautions. I was told that I'd just need to tell everyone myself.

Several months ago, I read in a post here on BCO about free Lymphedema Alert Bands.

I decided what the heck, and sent away for some. They were free, hot pink, and reusable.

I took them with me on Wednesday, when I had my Exchange Surgery. I asked again about the need for LE precautions, and again, was told that I just needed to mention it to everyone.

Well, I discovered that Kaiser has NO warning band for LE, nor do they write anything special on a different bracelet. It all comes down to the scribbled notes by the Pre-OP Nurse, the Plastic Surgeon, the Anesthesiologist, and the OR Nurse.

I whipped out my LE Alert Band, and asked if I could put one on. The nurses thought they were great, and that they should have something like that in stock.

I am hoping I am done with surgery now, but I'm going to order several more bands, just in case. You can get them from

http://www.lymphedema.com/alertband.htm

As for permanent bracelets, there is also a company called RoadID  that makes medical alert bracelets for runners and bicyclists.  http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx

I'm going to check out all the places I've seen so far, and get something permanent.

(But I was SO glad I had my Alert Bands with me during my Exchange Surgery! Sheesh!)

If hospitalized insist on a paper sign taped above the bed with LE precautions and also find out at pre-op, if staying in the hospital, if they have the bracelets.  If they don't, get your own.  As far as the bracelet goes, before I got mine I called my son who is a fireman and asked him if he knew what lymphedema was, or if his fellow fireman did.  He said no, so I put NO BP/IV/NEEDLES on my bracelet - did not put the work "lymphedema" on it.  In an emergency they are not going to stop and look it up.

I have a regular gold ID bracelet and also have a Road ID one.  Here is a link for an alert sleeve:

http://www.g-sleeve.com./

That may well be a good idea SpecialK, since not all know the word.  Thanks for sharing.

Because I'm bilateral I use a necklace. The TLC catelog has a nice one (well, maybe it's a bit sweet, but hopefully it does the job):
http://www.tlcdirect.org/Stainless-Steel-Lymphedema-Medical-Alert-Heart-Pendant.html?did=29

When you use those free alert bands and hospital staff comment on them, be sure to tell them how they can order them for their patients. I order them by the box for bc events and nurses' in-service classes--very helpful! For myself, I have two rubber-banded to my insurance ID so anytime I'm at a doctor's office I can put the on. A couple in the glove compartment, in assorted tote bags, and in my "in case of emergency" bag (which also contains a set of arm bandages, my medical history and contacts for doctors, and a couple of packets of hot cocoa mix--all the essentials for an unplanned hospital stay.) Those bracelets are a real gift! If you order some, do send them back a note of thanks--it's ReidSleeve company employees who volunteer to fill those orders. Nice people!
Binney

Beautiful medical ID bracelets at http://www.creativemedicalid.com/ (I frequently get compliments on mine as a piece of jewelry!)

They give you information on how to measure & inscription suggestions for various conditions, mine says: "No IV, BP, needles in left arm"

I don't wear mine in the shower, pool etc. I never thought of leaving in on when in water, and I don't think it would hold up. I would be interested in what others have to say too.

I bought my medical alert bracelet through Lauren's Hope on there web site ...they beautiful ones that are for women only and you would never no it was a medical alert bracket.  You can wear it in the shower except for pools and jacuzzis ...I get a lot of complements about the one I have...on this particular site you are able to choose and make the bracelet you want..I have given many of my patients this site for different issues and they were very appreciated ...sherry

Binney4,

Mine looks like a bracelet until you turn it around and it has the medical alert shield and I had my name/BMX-R-Limb restrictions plus my allergies inscribed. So god forbid something happens to me just anything they would be aware...  If you go to the site you will be impressed...