Chemo IV and lymphedema risk

Hi Pattysmiles

I had 4 rounds of FEC. The last round they just COULDNT find a vein. I cant remember if it was  2 or 3 "opinions" sought but in the end they "agreed" and went in on my BC side. At the time my understanding was that this was OK as long as they took every precaution against infection etc...whatever that entailed I don't know. If I had my time again I would see about other options like my foot. I'd be interested what others would do when "push came to shove"....

Im sorry you are having this trouble...

Patty, this is a really tough question. Of course it's best not to use the at-risk arm, especially for something as taxing on the system as chemo. We argue like crazy to avoid our at-risk arms for surgeries, scans, tests of all kinds, and certainly for blood pressure under any circumstances.

But chemo is so critical to our survival that it's tough to argue with them about it. You might remind them that you COULD already have pre-clinical (Stage 0) lymphedema (which can't be detected by eye-balling the arm, but is still a very real compromise of the lymph system), and in that case they couldn't even be certain about the timely delivery of any drugs injected into the arm. But in the end, you need to do what's best to fight the rotten bc, even if it means risking lymphedema. Truth is, you're already at risk, and there's no way to know if your lymph system is right at the edge of it's capacity or so robust that no insult to the system could ever cause you lymphedema grief.

Whatever you do, it's helpful to remember that less than half of women treated for bc ever develop lymphedema. So if you end up having to use the affected arm, know and use all the other risk reduction tactics, then relax and think grateful thoughts about what a strong fight you're putting up against the bc beast.
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/riskreduction_for_lymphedema.htm

Remember to go in there REALLY well hydrated, relax your whole body as they're doing the IV, and take some deep abdominal breaths from time to time (helps stimulate the largest lymph vessel in our bodies). Ask them beforehand if they have any other ideas for facilitating the insertion of the IV (warming the area? whatever...)

Wishing you smooth sailing!
Binney

I would have them call the "best" expert to access the unaffected arm/hand after coming in well hydrated, run the hand under warm water or hot towel on the arm, and whatever other tips they can give you to pop out those veins. I actually did all my chemo in the hand but tend to have good veins.

So this is when I ask the lab girls what they do with an armless patient for needles. They just gawk at me in awe and can't answer then say sorry we can't stick legs. ( they just don't get it) grrrrr Opps wrong thread!

I get my doc to write up a script for leg punctures and get the hospital staff to deliver them. No more street clinics for me, they run when I come.

I have the tiniest veins that run away but they can find a vein still. I ask for the best leg nurse on staff and hot towel my leg and rub my veins using the tiny needle.



When you think about it, Dementia patients can be gnarly and upset when they see nurses. This is why they snuck up on my dementia relative and did foot draws quickly ,preferably when sleepy or distracted . A dementia patient Is very hard to get them to cooperate with an arm. So yes, hospital staff are trained to do foot draws. Can't wait until I run out of feet and ask for a neck draw. Hum should be interesting.Sorry to digress.



Me dumb, can't they give chemo in a leg.