What to do about lymphedema
There is one foreboding word for all breast cancer survivors: lymphedema. I have been concerned about this since my reconstructive surgery in March, which included a prophylactic mastectomy of my remaining breast. It was simple until then. I would just tell all medical technicians, nurses and the like to take all tests and put the blood pressure cuff on the left arm. At that time, only the right breast had been removed and several lymph nodes in the right arm.
Now it is more confusing. Most all breast cancer patients that have had one mastectomy, even without lymph node removal, are advised to use the other arm for blood tests, needles and other medical procedures. But after two mastectomies, what do you do? Or, is it even necessary to worry if lymph nodes have not been removed? When I was recovering from the March surgery at Johns Hopkins, a male nurse advised me that this was a concern for me and that I should consider having tests done on a leg.
So I took my own advice and asked my doctor – well, all of my doctors – and each one said something different – no help there. I know how serious lymphedema can be as my mother’s cousin is suffering with it in one arm, and she carries her enlarged arm in a sling and calls it useless. Ingrid Bergman, the actress, was afflicted with lymphedema while shooting the film “Golda Mier” and actually had a contraption made that cradled her arm while she slept.
I need to hear from you. What do you know about this, and what do you do for blood pressure cuffs and blood tests if both breasts have been removed? Is there any issue if lymph nodes have not been removed?