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Ad_Lib's avatar
Ad_Lib
Member
9 years ago

Starting chemo tomorrow - a couple of questions

Hi all

I had a lumpectomy a few weeks ago and three lymph nodes were removed. I have a seroma, which has been drained but needs to be drained again. I also had a major surgery on my nose 2 weeks ago to deal with an infection prior to starting chemo. 

I start chemotherapy tomorrow. With the 2 surgeries and many tests that have gone on, I'm feeling like a pin-cushion, which I know is only going to get worse with chemo.

Yesterday, when I was having bloods taken, the nurse was having trouble taking blood from my left arm and asked to take it from my right (the side where the nodes were removed). I asked her not to but she had so much trouble and hurt me so much that I ended up giving in and she took it from my right arm. When I was having my nose surgery, I had a canular in my left arm and the nurses insisted on testing my blood pressure every 15 minutes from my right arm. 

My question is, how fastidious should I be about protecting my right arm? The nurses I've mentioned have all said "it's only 3 nodes, you'll be fine" but others have said I shouldn't let anyone touch me with a needle or bp monitor on that side.

My other question is: Has anyone experienced problems with seroma while having chemo? I've read other threads that mention chemo being delayed but that didn't come up at all with my oncologist.

Would love to get your thoughts, Ladies.

Thanks

Libby
chemotherapy
lymphoedema
surgery
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hey Ad Lib, all the best starting Chemo! So you'll find the medical staff will actually tell you it doesn't matter which arm they use at all. This came from my Oncology Unit at the Epworth Freemasons in Melbourne, as I too always thought they couldnt use the arm in which they took lymph nodes, so you can actually use either. :) I had 4 FEC and 8 Taxol and they use heat packs to help, so a hint is to keep your arms covered up and warm the morning you go in, it all helps. With a Portacath you'll find unless you are having Herceptin as per your diagnosis after Chemo you wont be given one. Never had a Seroma at all so not sure about that one. Honestly with all the infusions I probably only struggled twice due to inexperience unfortunately, but the Staff are really wonderful! Hugs Melinda xo
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    9 years ago

     Good advice above on needles and arms.

    I had the most irritatingly persistent, large seroma right through chemo. My oncologist deferred starting chemo for a week or so, but then went ahead. Drained and cheerfully refilled several times. As far as I am aware, the chemo didn't affect it in any way (good or bad) but the repeated build up of nice warm fluid in the body is a perfect environment for the bad bacteria we all have in our bodies to have a field day. I got two minor infections (flu like symptoms) both of which cleared up quickly, but then nearly 5 months after chemo was finished, got a really bad infection. The only good part was that in order to clear out all the infection, the surgery fixed the seroma once and for all  : ). So good if you can get rid of it soon. Best wishes for tomorrow.

  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    9 years ago
    Ask the oncology nurses if they mind you coming into the unit to have your bloods done in future. That's assuming it is convenient for you to do so. Most oncology units seem happy for you to do that; they are the experts when it comes to veins and are very aware of our unique issues. At least you won't have to explain your concerns and they will take a bit of extra time with hot packs and other tricks to make it easier for you. Many of us have chosen to have portacaths inserted because of crappy veins and all the drama they entail.
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago
    I had to have my chemo through my right arm where 3 nodes taken as they couldn't put a cannula in on the left. I eventually had a portacath put in after 3 cycles as was going on to weekly and the plan was for 12 months herceptin. I always try to have them do all on my left arm if possible including BPs now as I had one scary few days of an enlarged arm which resolved and has never returned. I now wear a lymphodema sleeve when traveling and had some laser under my armpit area with a lymphodema physio which seemed to fix it long term. But only 3 or not it can still happen so it doesn't hurt to be cautious. If you do have proven lymphodema though...then don't let them puncture that arm.

    I don't kniw that chemo can increase seroma but I did get fluid retention issues towards the end which was horrendous, but completely resolved once off steroids and chemo very quickly.