I have 2 questions.  The first one is about iodine radiation.  I have a
mom with papillary cancer (on her thyroid) who had surgery last summer 7
weeks after her baby was born.  She only had pumped enough milk to give
baby during her surgery.  Now she needs to have a dose of I-131 in July.
Originally the endocrinologist wanted her to have it 6 months after
surgery, but her commitment to nursing encouraged her to delay it.  Her
information now says she will need to be away from her children for at
least 4 days after the iodine treatment and then there is still some
left in her body for 80 days. She will not know the exact dose until
after an initial small dose 2 days before the larger dose. She nursed
her first for 21 months so longer nursing is what she wants to do.  She
would at least like to get her baby to one year of nursing.  Do you have
any research or know of anyone in a similar situation? Part of the
problem is that few people have been so committed to nursing and
delaying treatment that there is probably little research around.  She
would also like to available to others who face her situation and to
help them.

My other question is about nipple confusion.  This woman tried to
breastfeed at the beginning. Baby was fussy and wouldn't latch on well.
This baby was 5lbs7oz. Her first was a premie and she didn't nurse that
baby.  She is committed to breastmilk for baby.  Now she is pumping and
giving her a bottle.  Baby is 4 weeks old. For the first 2 weeks she fed
via syringe.  She tried the SNS.  She saw several LC's and they said she
was doing the right thing.  I don't what or how much suck assessment
was done by LC's or drs.  She was also very tired and depressed and
"just wanting to be a family again" so she started with bottles of
breastmilk.  A friend and WIC peer counselor have been also working with
her.  Perhaps she knows only the pump and feed method from the premie.
How long can she keep this up? and How can I encourage her to try at the
breast again?  How long do you encourage someone before they decide they
have had enough?  Any ideas would be helpful.

Thanks.

Marie, LLLL