Hi all, ok I have a question, I have decided to go with a double mastectomy when chemo ends. My question is because they take lymph nodes out and blood cannot be take from the arms when this happens in the future where do we get blood drawn from? Please don't tell me the foot they would have to put me to sleep.....
Thanks in advance!!! Chriss xx
Chris, you shouldn't need to have an nodes removed on right side, so should be able to have bloods etc on that side.
You have blood taken on the side where no nodes taken - so your "good" breast side
I also decided on bilateral mastectomy, it was a hard decision but 4 wks later now (after surgery) and I'm doing ok :)
Getting prostheses was prob easier getting both sides as I don't have to match a real breast
Good luck ??
Hi Chriss, Wide Local Excision, fancy name for lumpectomy. Sorry to hear chemo is taking such a toll on you. For me each round got worse. Like you I had an extra week off to build strength before next round, that really helped. If all you can do is rest/sleep, that's fine, everything else can wait. Most important thing now is to look after you. Good luck next week, will be thinking of you ??
Brenda they tried my foot in hospital and I screamed the place down it is painful.....
Tracey sorry for my ignorance but what is WLE?? I have a lumpoctomy and lymph nodes removes from left side and now have picc line on right side.
Chemo was a bitch on 3rd round was in bed for 10 days just very very lethargic so I have had 3 weeks off to get stronger for next weeks chemo - 4th AC.
Lyn, I'm having 2nd breast removed for precaution, BC was on left breast with one lymph node positive.
I did ask that same question to my nurse, what if the other breast had to be taken as well. She said you can have a portacath if many tests and injections are needed or there are plenty of places in the leg available.
Hi Chriss, I've only had a WLE & SNB, so only 1 node removed that side. With PICC line in other side and trashed veins, the only place left to take blood was my operative side. Have been doing that for 7 months now and only sign of lymph oedema + inflammation is golf ball lump in breast with radiation. The my dear friend had double mastectomy as preventative ten years ago and she still uses her arm for pathology without complications. Hope you are coping alright with chemo, Tracey??
Hi Chris. Just a couple of questions to start with. Are you having the second breast removed as a preventative measure, or is there cancer in both breasts? Did you have a Sentinal node biopsy initially? Was it positive or negative? If you've had a negative SNB, they shouldn't need to take more nodes from that side, they may want to do another SNB on the other side, as a precaution. Otherwise, I can't see a reas why they'd do a complete node clearance on both sides, so you should be right.
Take cate, Lyn
