First, a quick intro: My name is Ana and I have been an IBCLC for a little over a year; I have also been an LLL Leader for almost 7 years. I have been learning from the wise women on this forum for a few years but don't believe I've ever posted...Usually, the archives provide answers to my questions, but this time, I am not having much luck. I have permission to post for a dear friend. She is 41 y.o. and pregnant with her first child; due in Feb. Was just dx with stage 0 DCIS and they are going in again on Tu to clean up the edges from the initial surgery and set markers, I think, and maybe test lymph nodes? The breast surgeon (she hasn't seen an oncologist yet) has recommended that she start radiation therapy at 6 wks pp. Here are my questions (for now!): 1. If radiation therapy is to be started at 6 wks pp, how many days/weeks prior to that should she wean from the affected side? Should she nurse at all from that side, knowing she'll have to wean shortly thereafter? Would it be a better overall strategy to go to full breastfeeding from the healthy breast from day one? 2. Any thoughts on delaying radiation in order to be able to nurse from both breasts for as long as possible? What factors of her dx would determine whether waiting longer before radiation therapy is an option? 3. From what I understand, a mother should not breastfeed if she is taking tamoxifen. My friend has not been told she will be on tamoxifen, but again, from my understanding, it is the standard to take this drug for five years after radiation therapy, so she will likely be told to take it. Any opinions on this? Should she delay tamoxifen until she is done nursing, no matter how long that is? This is all I can think of for now. I will post as more info becomes available and she gets more treatment recommendations from her docs. I can't thank you all enough for whatever research, experience, thoughts, etc., you are willing to share. Blessings, and happy holidays, Ana Estorino Uribasterra, IBCLC LLLL, South Florida, USA *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome