A while ago Chrissie, my wife had to have a general anaesthetic - She
already suffers from Lymphoedema in her arm after radiotherapy post her
breast lumpectomy.  One thing that you should never been done, if you
suffer from Lymphoedema is to have your blood pressure taken in the
affected arm.   And you've guest it, although she was very careful to
mention the Lymphoedema before the operation, as she was coming round
she noticed the nurse taking her blood pressure in the  Lymphoedema arm.
The nurse was very apologetic. Chrissie went to her GP who told her any
effects would be short term (her hand has now started to swell and
become puffy).  The Lymphoedema specialist, however, has told her the
damage done is permanent.
Certainly she was keeping the Lymphoedema in check by wearing a
compression sleeve and a daily massage.  But know she has been told she
must wear a compression glove and will have to for the rest of her life.
Whether the taking of blood pressure merely brought forward what would
have happened in time or that alone has caused the swelling in her arm
we would love to know.

As husband of breast cancer sufferer, I have to say I am completely
moved by what you poor women have to go through.  It is like a journey
that you never ever dream you would have to make. You have friends that
you meets along the way to give support, but somehow you are making it
alone.  You try to remain positive and upbeat. Thank goodness for this
forum and the lovely people who are there to give a word of
encouragement.
Chrissie rattles from all the pills and tablets she has had to take
daily. tamofixen to kill the oestrogen - she is now on Arimidex which is
much better; clonodine, & efexor to help with hot flushes,  zopiclone to
help her sleep, anti - depressants; monthly visits to the local hospice
to see the Lymphoedema specialist and on top of all that being told by
her employer that she would not be getting a pay rise (everyone else
did), because they had been flexible with her time off because of her
breast cancer.
Sorry got a little carried away there. But all of you husbands,
boyfriends, partners just remember that your dear lady is suffering far
more than you are.  Be there for them, tell that you love them and keep
on telling them so;  If they are worried about their poor damaged breast
- talk to them. Don't say "It doesn't matter" because it does matter to
them. Try to understand how they must be feeling. Go with them for their
visits to the oncologist, whenever you can. Take a notebook so you can
jot down what has been said. Be kind, thoughtful and supportive, loving
and tender.