Blood draws...is it true??

taleena
taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
While at the onco's office he ordered blood work.. I went down to the lab and had it drawn from my right arm.... when my hubby & I were heading to the door, the nurse stopped us and sent us to genetic testing unit.. thus another blood test.

Well, because they had just taken blood from the right arm I offered the tech my left arm.. when she put the turnekit (sp) on, it hurt, arm still tender (burning) from lympthnodes being removed.. I flinched and she asked if it pinched.. I told her no and about the lympthnodes, and she released my arm... "Oh no" she said... "Back to your right arm"... I asked why and she said I coulnt have blood drawn from my right arm.. I asked how long and she said "forever unless it is a medical emergency"...

So, how come my surgeon didn't tell me that??? Is that true??

~T
«1

Comments

  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #2
    Yes it is true. And, you
    Yes it is true. And, you can never have your blood pressure taken on that arm either. Your surgeon, oncologist, all, should have told you this. It is very important! You have to be careful with that arm for the rest of your life. Sorry noone told you!
  • taleena
    taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
    #3
    susie09 said:

    Yes it is true. And, you
    Yes it is true. And, you can never have your blood pressure taken on that arm either. Your surgeon, oncologist, all, should have told you this. It is very important! You have to be careful with that arm for the rest of your life. Sorry noone told you!

    I am sure that my oncologist
    I am sure that my oncologist thought my surgeon told me... but he didn't.. you would think that it is important information for a patient to have... interesting .. thanks... I had absolutely "no clue".
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #4
    taleena said:

    I am sure that my oncologist
    I am sure that my oncologist thought my surgeon told me... but he didn't.. you would think that it is important information for a patient to have... interesting .. thanks... I had absolutely "no clue".

    You're welcome. They both
    You're welcome. They both should have told you really. Mine did. And, it is also in the literature that I received from my oncologist. Good luck!
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #5
    You are at risk for lymphedema...
    Yes, unfortunately, for the rest of your life, on your surgery side. There are many other precautions to be employed in addition to the no blood draws-no injections-no blood pressure cuff, etc., from/on your BC side. Unfortunate that you weren't informed upfront...

    This site - ACS - has excellent and comprehensive info. A great start to learn more. Just type LYMPHEDEMA into the Search Bar on the home/main page. Also, our dear RE has posted info on the BC Board - you could search here, too.

    I highly recommend a book: "Lymphedema - A Breast Cancer Patient's Guide to Prevention and Healing"... Additional info about this book can be found on the "resources" tab of my own member homepage (Born on Christmas Day); and, therefore, within the Member Resource library (see the brown box, upper left corner of your screen).

    Time to begin reading, T!

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #6
    Christmas Girl said:

    You are at risk for lymphedema...
    Yes, unfortunately, for the rest of your life, on your surgery side. There are many other precautions to be employed in addition to the no blood draws-no injections-no blood pressure cuff, etc., from/on your BC side. Unfortunate that you weren't informed upfront...

    This site - ACS - has excellent and comprehensive info. A great start to learn more. Just type LYMPHEDEMA into the Search Bar on the home/main page. Also, our dear RE has posted info on the BC Board - you could search here, too.

    I highly recommend a book: "Lymphedema - A Breast Cancer Patient's Guide to Prevention and Healing"... Additional info about this book can be found on the "resources" tab of my own member homepage (Born on Christmas Day); and, therefore, within the Member Resource library (see the brown box, upper left corner of your screen).

    Time to begin reading, T!

    Kind regards, Susan

    Everything they said is true
    Everything they said is true Taleena. I am surprised noone told you. It is something you should know and always remember. You have to always be careful of that arm from here on out. Take care of yourself!

    Hugs, Jeanne
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #7
    Christmas Girl said:

    You are at risk for lymphedema...
    Yes, unfortunately, for the rest of your life, on your surgery side. There are many other precautions to be employed in addition to the no blood draws-no injections-no blood pressure cuff, etc., from/on your BC side. Unfortunate that you weren't informed upfront...

    This site - ACS - has excellent and comprehensive info. A great start to learn more. Just type LYMPHEDEMA into the Search Bar on the home/main page. Also, our dear RE has posted info on the BC Board - you could search here, too.

    I highly recommend a book: "Lymphedema - A Breast Cancer Patient's Guide to Prevention and Healing"... Additional info about this book can be found on the "resources" tab of my own member homepage (Born on Christmas Day); and, therefore, within the Member Resource library (see the brown box, upper left corner of your screen).

    Time to begin reading, T!

    Kind regards, Susan

    yes i remember
    The male CNA who tried to take my bp after my surgery got in big trouble from my NR and she made him make and put a sign over my bed that said Right arm only. I felt bad for him but he nor i will not likely make that mistake again.
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #8
    Blood Draws
    Yes, it is true, indeed~ the "affected" side should not ever have anything done to it--not just blood draws, but also B/P cuffs, and even shots, ( flu shots, and the like). I had a med alert bracelet made with that info on it...I am surprised you weren't told, as well. It was one of the very first things my Drs told me post surgery. And it is a forever thing!

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #9
    along with everyone else...
    yes, it is true. What you will also find out is they will never let you donate blood or organs. And Claudia is smart having had a bracelet made up because if you are ever in an accident and not aware, they may put the blood pressure cuff or iv there.
    I have had everyone I ever dealt with during and after surgery tell me the same thing. So ~T, be aware from now on, and only offer your good arm.

    =^..^=
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #10
    cats_toy said:

    along with everyone else...
    yes, it is true. What you will also find out is they will never let you donate blood or organs. And Claudia is smart having had a bracelet made up because if you are ever in an accident and not aware, they may put the blood pressure cuff or iv there.
    I have had everyone I ever dealt with during and after surgery tell me the same thing. So ~T, be aware from now on, and only offer your good arm.

    =^..^=

    Doe A Deer, a Female Deer
    Well, if I can't donate my organs, maybe I can donate my piano???

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • j916
    j916 Member Posts: 141
    #11
    Yup
    I ordered a beautiful bracelet off the internet, i get compliments on it all the time, and they are all surprised when i turn it around and they see it's a medical alert bracelet.
    ALSO, whenever i go in for surgery, i take it upon myself to write on my effected arm "no needles, or BP this arm" right across my forearm....just in case someone "forgets" while i am under, like two nurses have so far (but i caught it in time). Gotta be in charge of our health! :)
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    #12
    j916 said:

    Yup
    I ordered a beautiful bracelet off the internet, i get compliments on it all the time, and they are all surprised when i turn it around and they see it's a medical alert bracelet.
    ALSO, whenever i go in for surgery, i take it upon myself to write on my effected arm "no needles, or BP this arm" right across my forearm....just in case someone "forgets" while i am under, like two nurses have so far (but i caught it in time). Gotta be in charge of our health! :)

    Big question
    I'd never heard any of that about blood draws or blood pressure. Is that just true if you have lymphedema ... or cancerous lymph nodes?

    I "only" had a lumpectomy (right side) ... and all of the lymph nodes came back OK ... I have no lymphedema ... but should I still NOT have blood drawn or blood pressure checks on the right side?

    I will ask the oncologist ... but I don't see him until the 24th ... but ... in the meantime ... I'm just curious ... ?????

    hugs.
    teena
  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    #13
    tgf said:

    Big question
    I'd never heard any of that about blood draws or blood pressure. Is that just true if you have lymphedema ... or cancerous lymph nodes?

    I "only" had a lumpectomy (right side) ... and all of the lymph nodes came back OK ... I have no lymphedema ... but should I still NOT have blood drawn or blood pressure checks on the right side?

    I will ask the oncologist ... but I don't see him until the 24th ... but ... in the meantime ... I'm just curious ... ?????

    hugs.
    teena

    Well, there are exceptions...
    I had a radical mast on right side in '86 and another on left side in '88. So, what they gonna do? They just use the right side when I have blood drawn or take bp because it is the 'older' side.
    Have never had any extra problems from blood draws or bp cuffs. Lymph edema was quite pronounced for 2-3 yrs after surgeries then mostly went away. Only 3 nodes removed from each side, maybe that's why.
    Anyhow, follow drs instructions and take precautions. Better safe than sorry.
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #14
    Oh my gosh T! I can't
    Oh my gosh T! I can't believe they didn't warn you about lymphodema. You cant let them do anything to the arm that had the lymphnodes removed. No blood pressure, no injections, no lifting heavy weights....it can cause the arm to swell and stay swollen because the lymphnodes aren't there to clear the fluids anymore. Now having said this, they had me scared to do anything for awhile, but in fact I havn't had any problems with my right arm. I lift whatever and do whatever, but I am careful to avoid blood pressure, an dinjections on that arm. There are some good older posts on lymphodema.
    Dee
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #15
    tgf said:

    Big question
    I'd never heard any of that about blood draws or blood pressure. Is that just true if you have lymphedema ... or cancerous lymph nodes?

    I "only" had a lumpectomy (right side) ... and all of the lymph nodes came back OK ... I have no lymphedema ... but should I still NOT have blood drawn or blood pressure checks on the right side?

    I will ask the oncologist ... but I don't see him until the 24th ... but ... in the meantime ... I'm just curious ... ?????

    hugs.
    teena

    teena
    I didn't have any lymph nodes involved either though 2 were removed during surgery. And I was told that I could never have my arm on the affected side used for anything(blood drawn,bp-anything like that).Don't quote me on this,but you have obviously had at least one lymph node taken out yourself(check out your pathology report)and because of that,you fall under the same catagory-sorry!
  • taleena
    taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
    #16
    dyaneb123 said:

    Oh my gosh T! I can't
    Oh my gosh T! I can't believe they didn't warn you about lymphodema. You cant let them do anything to the arm that had the lymphnodes removed. No blood pressure, no injections, no lifting heavy weights....it can cause the arm to swell and stay swollen because the lymphnodes aren't there to clear the fluids anymore. Now having said this, they had me scared to do anything for awhile, but in fact I havn't had any problems with my right arm. I lift whatever and do whatever, but I am careful to avoid blood pressure, an dinjections on that arm. There are some good older posts on lymphodema.
    Dee

    Thank you .. all my beautiful Sisters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    See I told you all I was uncomfortable with my medical team. do you believe me now???.. nope... no one told me.... Okay.. so now I have reading assignments... thanks Susan... and writing assingments for future surgeries...writing on the forearm seems like a good idea...lol.. (I may seriously do that in the future if ever I need surgery again).. and need to search the net for a medical alert braclet.. (a pretty one and hopefully no one will mistaken it for just a piece of jewlery)... then I need to have my drivers license changed to take off "donor"... Claudia.. I don't have a piano... think I can donate my guitar??? WOW you would think that something that important would be conveyed to the patient... got it.. hubby (Dennis... aka Denny) now knows too.. and told me to tell you all "Thank You" he agreed that it was pretty important info.

    So.. I called Genomic Health again...I'm telling you ... patience is not my virtue... they completed the test and faxed the results to my old onco.. .who received it on the 7th... let's see what is today???? Oh yeah that's right it's only three days later... So at 4:30 I called his office.. yes they have the report no they won't tell me the results.. dr hasn't viewed them yet.. yadda yadda yadda... So I get into my car drive down there and say ... make me a copy please....

    So now I don't have to sit through the weekend... the damn sagga continues... not under 18 not over 31... instead ... 22 So... I guess I need to switch my favorite color to "grey".. that seems to be the color of choice....

    Ladies.. please help ... I just want them to tell me what to do... I'll do it... anything... .but this; everything being in the middle is really the **its... hot cold... under over... one or the other... someone draw a line.... so to take it all out on that crappy med team I had... can you believe they were going to make me go through another weekend not knowing anything..... well... come to think of it .... I still don't know anything do I??... and considering how informative they are to their patience... well nothing surprises me anymore!!

    Thank God for my NEW MEDICAL TEAM!!
  • confused123
    confused123 Member Posts: 251
    #17
    taleena said:

    Thank you .. all my beautiful Sisters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    See I told you all I was uncomfortable with my medical team. do you believe me now???.. nope... no one told me.... Okay.. so now I have reading assignments... thanks Susan... and writing assingments for future surgeries...writing on the forearm seems like a good idea...lol.. (I may seriously do that in the future if ever I need surgery again).. and need to search the net for a medical alert braclet.. (a pretty one and hopefully no one will mistaken it for just a piece of jewlery)... then I need to have my drivers license changed to take off "donor"... Claudia.. I don't have a piano... think I can donate my guitar??? WOW you would think that something that important would be conveyed to the patient... got it.. hubby (Dennis... aka Denny) now knows too.. and told me to tell you all "Thank You" he agreed that it was pretty important info.

    So.. I called Genomic Health again...I'm telling you ... patience is not my virtue... they completed the test and faxed the results to my old onco.. .who received it on the 7th... let's see what is today???? Oh yeah that's right it's only three days later... So at 4:30 I called his office.. yes they have the report no they won't tell me the results.. dr hasn't viewed them yet.. yadda yadda yadda... So I get into my car drive down there and say ... make me a copy please....

    So now I don't have to sit through the weekend... the damn sagga continues... not under 18 not over 31... instead ... 22 So... I guess I need to switch my favorite color to "grey".. that seems to be the color of choice....

    Ladies.. please help ... I just want them to tell me what to do... I'll do it... anything... .but this; everything being in the middle is really the **its... hot cold... under over... one or the other... someone draw a line.... so to take it all out on that crappy med team I had... can you believe they were going to make me go through another weekend not knowing anything..... well... come to think of it .... I still don't know anything do I??... and considering how informative they are to their patience... well nothing surprises me anymore!!

    Thank God for my NEW MEDICAL TEAM!!

    Taleena I am so sorry you
    Taleena I am so sorry you are not getting onfo when needed. Hope it gets better with the new doc.

    I am curious where the pretty bracelet was ordered so I can get one.

    Also has anyone got any advice for lymphnodes taken from both sides? I get my BP taken on the non cancer side for now and was told manual BP is better to use than the other one. Also I have my blood drawn from my port, unfortunately you have to make an appointment with a nurse to do this but I think well worth it since I am having blood drawn every 3 weeks for the next 9 months. I find many patients do not know this is an option and have blood drawn from the arm still.
  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748
    #18
    susie09 said:

    Yes it is true. And, you
    Yes it is true. And, you can never have your blood pressure taken on that arm either. Your surgeon, oncologist, all, should have told you this. It is very important! You have to be careful with that arm for the rest of your life. Sorry noone told you!

    WOW! I knew about the
    WOW! I knew about the drawing of blood but not the blood pressure. They used my "bad" arm to take my blood pressure just a couple of days ago and it was at the oncologist's office!

    Thanks for the info!
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #19
    confused123 said:

    Taleena I am so sorry you
    Taleena I am so sorry you are not getting onfo when needed. Hope it gets better with the new doc.

    I am curious where the pretty bracelet was ordered so I can get one.

    Also has anyone got any advice for lymphnodes taken from both sides? I get my BP taken on the non cancer side for now and was told manual BP is better to use than the other one. Also I have my blood drawn from my port, unfortunately you have to make an appointment with a nurse to do this but I think well worth it since I am having blood drawn every 3 weeks for the next 9 months. I find many patients do not know this is an option and have blood drawn from the arm still.

    I am surprised your doctors
    I am surprised your doctors didn't tell you this Taleena. It is very important. So, are you having chemo or you don't know yet? I think if I was in the grey area, I would, just to make sure that I had done everything possible to make sure the bc doesn't come back. good luck
  • Eil4186
    Eil4186 Member Posts: 949
    #20
    I only had 2 lymphnodes
    I only had 2 lymphnodes removed. Can I have pressure and blood draw from that arm?
  • dmc_emmy
    dmc_emmy Member Posts: 549
    #21
    j916 said:

    Yup
    I ordered a beautiful bracelet off the internet, i get compliments on it all the time, and they are all surprised when i turn it around and they see it's a medical alert bracelet.
    ALSO, whenever i go in for surgery, i take it upon myself to write on my effected arm "no needles, or BP this arm" right across my forearm....just in case someone "forgets" while i am under, like two nurses have so far (but i caught it in time). Gotta be in charge of our health! :)

    Bracelet
    Would you be so kind to give me the Internet address? I use to have a medical braclet, but it was so heavy that it was uncomfortable to wear. I have soooo many medical issues that I know I should wear one, but I hate the med'l bracelets you find in the phramacies.

    Thank you.


    T,
    I, too, cannot believe that no one told you! No bp, no needles for any reason--that was one of the first things I was told after my surgery. Once, I forgot to say something, but as soon as the blood pressure cup was tighening I remembered quite quickly. Man, it hurt! It only took one time to forget for me to always remember now!
    dmc

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