My Dr gave me a medical alert bracelet to put on my arm as a reminder/warning not to do BP or blood draws in that arm. It works so far cuz times I was doing chemo & was not paying attention the nurse would see it and be like or no not this arm and move to the other one. And it’s actually a cute bracelet. So I don’t mind wearing it 24/7/

Trudy, chances are you are fine, but order yourself a medical ID bracelet that states no needles, no BP on (right/left) arm and wear it on that side.

Nurses and lab techs have always had trouble getting draws from my right side (wrist and elbow broken, so the elbow does not allow a straight arm) so for ages I have always extended my left arm for draws- BUT that is the side the lymph nodes were removed from, so I would wear the bracelet on that arm- if I extend that arm out of habit, I see the bracelet and swap.

I only had 3 nodes (left side) removed, and am now out of treatment for 5 years, it is probably safe, but why chance it as they can get draws from the top of my right hand without too much issue. Surprisingly, the last tech asked if she could try the bad arm- (that no one has success with), and she got it on the first try. Told her, no one has been able to do that in years!!

I have to repeat every time in my oncologist office to whatever girl comes in to take vitals. And when I was admitted for gallbladder surgery I had to repeat it constantly even after they put a bracelet on no BP or blood taken. Some medical staff are unaware or take notice of bracelets. I get tired of repeating myself about this.

I have doctors who only check BP in my right arm (non-surgical side) even though I had no lymph node removal. My Oncology nurse checks it in my left arm. She said she doesn't feel it really matters. Since I didn't have any lymph nodes removed the risk of lymphedema is pretty much non-existent. If I had had node removal I would insist on the non-surgical side just to be safe.

I have a friend who did not know lymph nodes were extensively removed from one side along with her mastectomy. Consequently, she never gave any thought to the risks of BP readings, etc on that arm. She has had no problems from those occurrences. Everyone is different though.

If you're not having issues from your experience, I would just adopt a going forward attitude and continue my arm exercises.