[KellyA]

Hi Maria,

I had a mast. on the left side with lymph disection. On the right side I had a propylactic mast. (there was no lymph disection). I cannot have blood drawn or BP's etc. in the left arm, but I can in the right since they did not remove the lypmh pad. Actually, I even had my port put in on my upper right arm and sometimes still have blood drawn below it if they do not directly access the port. They do BP's and all in that arm. I was told (by all three of my docs) that you only have to avoid an arm if the nodes were removed. Some people, however have had node disections in both arms for multiple tumors and can't use either arm. When I worked for a neurologist years ago, we would access veins in peoples' feet sometimes. There are lots of places to draw blood. Don't know if this helps or not.

Love,
Kelly