Chemo in Guarded Arm

tlmac
tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
A friend, just finishing her 4th dose dense AC with 4 taxanes to follow. The team was unable to get a vein in her good arm and were "forced" to do yesterday's chemo in her at risk arm. I understood this was never done and ask her why a port wasn't suggested. She said her primary oncologist gave approval for the chemo and has never even suggested a port. Perhaps I'm being overly concerned but have any of you or anyone you know received chemo in their at risk arm following a level I axillary node dissection?
terri

Comments

  • SusanAnne
    SusanAnne Member Posts: 245
    #2
    Terri,

    That seems UTTERLY ridiculous! I would strongly advise your friend to quickly go out and get two other opinions from oncologists regarding what happened. I would not allow it to happen again. Sounds like they took the "easy" way out. Please let us know what happens. I've never heard such a thing! Good luck to your friend.

    Susan
  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #3
    SusanAnne said:

    Terri,

    That seems UTTERLY ridiculous! I would strongly advise your friend to quickly go out and get two other opinions from oncologists regarding what happened. I would not allow it to happen again. Sounds like they took the "easy" way out. Please let us know what happens. I've never heard such a thing! Good luck to your friend.

    Susan

    Boy do I appreciate knowing I'm not the only one shocked by this. Her family is content that the doctor knows what he's doing. After reading posts on this board and listening at my Reach to Recovery meetings, I'm not sure the threat of lymphedema is one the doctors are too concerned with. I'll be interested in hearing if anyone has had chemo in the guarded arm and if they experienced any problems. Thanks Susan.
    terri
  • roxanne53
    roxanne53 Member Posts: 154
    #4
    I also do not think that is the right thing to have done. I have always been told that risk arm from lymph nodes extraction is a NO NO NO. For needles, blood pressure taking, scratches etc.
    so it sounds absolutely irresponsible to suggest that by any cancer medical personnel.
    Especially if treating the breast cancer.
    They usually try for a site in leg, other places besides the at risk arm if no port is in place.
    Have her request a port.

    HOpe all goes well for your friend.
    Roxanne
  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398
    #5
    My experience has been that oncologists are more interested in keeping to the chemo plan and as long as the area is cleaned extremely well there shouldn't be a problem. The suspect arm is a risk for infection and rare case swelling can be a problem but I had blood and chemo given in bad arm and it seemed to be ok. Putting in a port usually means more surgery and often that has more risks which most of us don't even think about, my mother's explanation for not getting a port at the time my veins were a mess. I found doctors unwilling to talk about the side effects that I was experiencing because it was more important to finish the treatments and then they would look at everything else. I have had a double mastectomy with both sides touched for lymphnode disection so now what??? both my arms are touchy now and not much worry on doctors or nurses it seem. Hope this helps.
    Tara
  • sassysally
    sassysally Member Posts: 150
    #6
    tlmac, ihave had bc three different times and am now as flat as a two by four. I have no good arms left, they are both guarded. So, what to do....I had a port put in but was allergic to it. If your friend watches herself, and they find a vein..even in the "guarded" arm she will be ok. I had 32 nodes removed. I am living testimony that it is ok. Please read my web page. I have been doing this journey for 15 yrs now. Hang in there. It really is OK. I heard you shouldnt take blood pressure in guarded arm either... with me and many others, there is no choice.
  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #7
    sassysally said:

    tlmac, ihave had bc three different times and am now as flat as a two by four. I have no good arms left, they are both guarded. So, what to do....I had a port put in but was allergic to it. If your friend watches herself, and they find a vein..even in the "guarded" arm she will be ok. I had 32 nodes removed. I am living testimony that it is ok. Please read my web page. I have been doing this journey for 15 yrs now. Hang in there. It really is OK. I heard you shouldnt take blood pressure in guarded arm either... with me and many others, there is no choice.

    I so appreciate that you shared your experiences. I am also flat as a board. My bilateral was in February 2003 but just a simple on the right so I have "one good arm." My friend, Linda, is a music teacher who also gives private lessons. She's so worried something might happen that would prevent her from playing her beloved piano. Thanks, again.
    terri
  • CindyPR
    CindyPR Member Posts: 36
    #8
    Hey agree with everyone,

    Your good friend, is there, as have been with chemo. Lucky Stage 1 in both breasts, but agree, a guarded arm, you have to take care, as for infections, and agree with the rest, talk to your doctor, as he seems not to bright for your health. As you have the support, as said I would get a second choice, or oppion. If that happened to me, I would say bye, as from California, and living in PR, with all treatments, no doctors have done that. Hope all goes well friend.

    CindyPR
  • CindyPR
    CindyPR Member Posts: 36
    #9
    sassysally said:

    tlmac, ihave had bc three different times and am now as flat as a two by four. I have no good arms left, they are both guarded. So, what to do....I had a port put in but was allergic to it. If your friend watches herself, and they find a vein..even in the "guarded" arm she will be ok. I had 32 nodes removed. I am living testimony that it is ok. Please read my web page. I have been doing this journey for 15 yrs now. Hang in there. It really is OK. I heard you shouldnt take blood pressure in guarded arm either... with me and many others, there is no choice.

    Hey Sassy Sally
    How are you, then the board? Wow did not think you were that bad? Please send a message, as you have been there for me.

    CindyPR
  • twink_
    twink_ Member Posts: 2
    #10
    hi,
    I think you're right to be concerned about your friend- many medical people, including doctors, aren't up on the risk of lymphedema, as it isn't taught in medical schools! That's one of the things the National Lymphedema Network is working to change.

    http://www.lymphnet.org/prevention.html#upper

    Please share this link on LE prevention with all the medical people you can. I have lymphedema, and believe me, your friend wants to do all she can to reduce the risk!
    best wishes to your friend
  • cinder
    cinder Member Posts: 50
    #11
    Have her check into a pic line. No surgery, I had one put in and when my chemo was done they took it out right in the dr. office. They used it for my chemo and all of my blood drawing.
    Cinder

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