| Posts 1 - 15 (15 total) | |
|---|---|
|
Hattie Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 2297 |
Mar 23, 2006 08:12 am
Hattie wrote:
There are many choices if you google medic alert. Some are so beautiful I'm not sure they would get noticed as medic alerts! check the wording on lymphedema.net (or lymph.net --i forget which it is.) They have the best wording, you can add more info too. Take care, --Hattie |
|
rhymeee Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 3508 |
Mar 23, 2006 11:13 am rhymeee wrote: A medic alert bracelet can save the pain of LE. A smart thing to wear. |
|
DoreenF Joined: May 2005 Posts: 2184 |
Mar 23, 2006 11:39 am
DoreenF wrote:
I know many in the lymphedema discussion group recommend that you do not put lymphedema as the message - as many medical professionals do not know what lymphedema is. They Suggest something like "No BP, No IM, No Sticks - left arm" at the top of the lymphema discussion group there's a sticky thread re: this topic with some links to places where some have purchased an alert bracelet. Doreen |
|
JulieP Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 833 |
Mar 23, 2006 11:53 am
JulieP wrote:
I went to the local jewelry store. They have a very nice selection of 14K gold medical alert type bracelets. I have mine engraved with: NO IV OR BP RIGHT ARM Looks really nice. Has the medic alert symbol in red on the face. But...... Nobody pays any attention to it! Every single time I go in for anything, they always grab my right arm!!! I still have to tell them, "please use the other arm." It is even written in my charts! Oh, well. At least I got a pretty gold bracelet out of the deal! Peace and Blessings! |
|
Hattie Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 2297 |
Mar 23, 2006 12:39 pm
Hattie wrote:
See, if only I could get a tatoo on that arm.... I wonder about the bracelet being ignored, the chart being ignored... I could marker it up every day I guess. Take care, --Hattie |
|
burns_la Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 799 |
Mar 23, 2006 01:18 pm burns_la wrote: I found some really nice ones on EBAY. The thing is, you can order very expensive jewelry ones, or also (like I did) an inexpensive one for every day wear. It has three small leather bands and looks very casual. The sellers will let you put anything you want on the wording - I said: Lymphedema - Don't use R arm for iv, im, bp or finger sticks. It was so inexpensive I can order several. I also got one from EBAY that is very summer-like, small sea shells on a cord. My understanding is if that it is the "legal" size with the medic alert symbol on it, it will be found when needed. |
|
junie Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 1629 |
Mar 23, 2006 05:38 pm
junie wrote:
Julie--Nobody pays any attention to it....AMEN!!! Too true!! I've posted my experience some time back but will repeat. I have a neon pink med alert bracelet. A year ago I had elective surgery and asked could I wear the bracelet to the hospital. I was told "no" I was told "yes" I was told "wear it, but you might have to take it off".......and, I was told not to worry, that it would be noted in my chart!!!! I wore it, and nobody said a thing--AND NOBODY EVER LOOKED AT IT!!!! I had some twerp try to take blood and do BP in that arm! Thank God I was still lucid and pitched a fit. Then a surgical nurse explained a few things to me: in a true emergency room situation--say life or death, NOBODY is going to stop and take the time to read that med alert bracelet to see what they should or shouldn't do! And, another problem--all these colored rubber bracelets that people wear to support different causes.......well, in this particular hospital, a red wristband meant DO NOT RESUSCITATE!!! She said, it would only be later that someone took time to see that I was saving whales!!!! That conversation really scared me. I think it is worthwhile to wear a med alert, but I wouldn't depend on it 100 percent. Think it would be invaluable as long as you were alert enough to point it out to medical personnel. Have decided that if I ever need elective surgery again, I will write on the arm with magic marker!!!!! And, have decided that if it was a life or death emergency room situation--they can do whatever they need to that arm to save my life and I'll worry about lymphedema later!!! Always something, isn't it! hugggssssss |
|
ravdeb Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 3037 |
Mar 24, 2006 03:08 am
ravdeb wrote:
I agree. I used to wear a medic alert bracelet before cancer because I was on coumadin. Nobody cares really that it's on my arm. I thought about getting another one for now. The other day I had some tests taken and they were about to do bp on my left arm when I suddenly realized and said NO!!!! The technician did NOT understand why but said okay and did the right arm and afterwards tells me...well..the last time you were here we did it on both arms and I said...the LAST time I had not had a lumpectomy yet! And she said...so????? Wonder if she would have noticed a medic alert bracelet or would have cared? ravdeb |
|
Jorf Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1094 |
Mar 24, 2006 11:15 am
Jorf wrote:
Whoa. Thanks for all the info. Hattie, we were joking about a tattoo too!. I do agree that in the heat of an emergency it probably isn't going to matter even if it was written up and down my arm and, really, would I care? I also worry that those pretty ones no one's going to see. I'll get one anyway. I like the idea of the cheapy with the leather bands. Burns, did you get that one on ebay? Does make me think I'll write on my left arm next week when I get my port put in. I'd think that since the port needs to go in on the right they'll want to use my left for the BP machine. ...! |
|
Hattie Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 2297 |
Mar 24, 2006 07:37 pm
Hattie wrote:
Marker is definitely the way to go. Wish I had. (no ill effects tho and thanks for the perspective--if life or death, give me life!). Take care, --Hattie |
|
burns_la Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 799 |
Mar 25, 2006 12:15 pm
burns_la wrote:
Jorf - yes, it was from EBAY and cost about $12. The seller was very happy to put whatever wording I wanted on the back and I got it within about 3 days! PS - prayers for a smooth port placement... |
|
JulieP Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 833 |
Mar 26, 2006 09:27 am
JulieP wrote:
I agree, in a life or death situation, they can do whatever they want to save my life. When I go in for any medical procedure that requires sedation (colonoscopy, etc.) I use a BIG, RED PERMANENT MARKER! I write on my wrist, crook of my arm and my biceps... <font>NO IV OR BP! <!--color--></font> It's a bear to get off afterwards, but that's ok. Peace and Blessings |
|
txred9876 Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 594 |
Mar 27, 2006 04:33 am
txred9876 wrote:
I had surgery a couple weeks back and the nurse put in perm ink on my arm...even though it was on the medical allert band from the hospital. I never had a problem with it when it was written on my whole upper arm! Tina |
|
rhymeee Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 3508 |
Mar 28, 2006 01:22 pm rhymeee wrote: Wonder why the medical community ignores medic alert braclets. Makes no good sense. |
|
celia088 Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2522 |
Apr 12, 2006 01:04 am
celia088 wrote:
Junie--- I have had the same experience that you have had. I have had and worn a MedicAlert bracelet for 10 years because I am diabetic, an insulin user, and have 3 drug allergies. I have never been allowed to keep it on in the hospital when I am having surgery,(5 surgeries in one year) and the nurses and attendants constantly ask me again and again what drug allergies I have, am I on insulin, etc. I am already nervous enough and they are also asking me over and over in the pre-op room, which breast is going to be removed (don't they know?? They always tell me it is to make sure I am coherent). Makes me have no confidence in them at all, and I am always too nervous to explain everything to them over and over again. Too bad we can't have one of those talking car alarms ("Step back from the car!!) that explains it to them when they touch you or get too close. Peace and Hugs, celia |
© 2009 Breastcancer.org. All rights reserved.