Topic: BC on the right, pacemaker on the left
Log in to post a replyPosts: 1066
- Posted on: May 16, 2008 11:27 pm
Dx 12/22/2004, ILC, 5cm, Stage II, Grade 1, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
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Binney4 Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 3197 |
May 17, 2008 07:18 pm, edited May 17, 2008 07:20 PM
by Binney4
Binney4 wrote:
Hi, Althea, Gosh, that's a tough question! Good for your mom for being so careful with her arm all these years! And super good for her for being such a long-term bc veteran. Any time you invade the chest you run a risk of developing LE. Some women here have gotten it on the unaffected side from their port insertion. Obviously that doesn't happen very often. It's also not REAL likely she'll be at risk for LE from the pacemaker, but it's not impossible. I take it she doesn't have LE in her mastectomy arm, right? I think there'd be more risk of LE from the pacemaker if she already had LE on the other side and was in the habit of massaging lymph fluid toward the unaffected (pacemaker) side. In that case she should see a therapist for instructions on how to massage in a different direction. I've never heard of anyone suggesting no bp, blood draws, injections or IVs due to the placement of a pacemaker. Darleen might know, since she's been around the block with AC-chemo heart problems and LE both. In the meantime, I sure hope your mom is doing well today and resting comfortably. Be well, both of you! Binney |
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althea Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 1066 |
May 17, 2008 11:23 pm
althea wrote:
Thanks binney. No, my mom doesn't have any problems with LE. Her bc was in 1980 and she turned 80 last year. Surgery was the only treatment she received! But I digress. I hope there's no increase risk of LE on the left side from the pacemaker. So, for those of you who had bilaterals, are bp readings taken on your legs? How does that work? My idea of a balanced diet is a cookie in each hand
Dx 12/22/2004, ILC, 5cm, Stage II, Grade 1, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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azdarleen Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 129 |
May 18, 2008 11:32 am
azdarleen wrote:
Hi Althea, sorry to hear about your mom, I have LE on my right side (arm, chest , back, ) and about a year ago had to have a ICD (Implantable cardioverter defibrillator) on my left side, I also was worried about getting LE in my left side, so far I have not had any problems with LE on my left side. As for BP, blood draws, injections or IV on the left side , I have not heard anything that would suggest you couldn't, I have had SEVERAL blood draws, IV and BP on my left side and no problems.I do have to be careful that I don't push to much fluid from massaging , because I also have congestive heart failure and if I massage too much, I get too much fluid around my heart, so I do a balancing act trying to keep my LE under control.
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Binney4 Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 3197 |
May 18, 2008 11:05 pm
Binney4 wrote:
Thanks, Darleen. Soooo sorry you've had to become such an expert on this stuff Althea, bp can be done on our lower legs, blood tests and IVs in our feet (or neck). LE is not for wimps! Be well! Binney |
Give her a big hug for me.
I hope she'll be along soon with some ideas
, but sure do appreciate your sharing your knowledge with us. You're one amazing person!
(I'm only kidding -- I'm the world's foremost wimp. For my last IV the anesthesiologist kindly insisted that the nurses provide him with lidocaine, and I wanted to kiss the guy!!)