--I received this urgent email and permission to share with others.
If you can, please copy the sender when you respond.

Thank you.

Jay Gordon

------ Forwarded Message
From: Nancy Beauchemin <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2005 21:37:33 -0700
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: body fluid/blood exposure and breastfeeding...

  
  Hi Dr.  Jay!  I hope you don't mind me e-mailing you.   Tess  Hodgins of
"Positively Breastfeeding" thought you might be able  to help me out with a
very important, time-sensitive issue.  I  tried to reach Dr. Newman in
Toronto, but he hasn't replied either.   I'm getting desperate.

I am a radiation therapist here in Calgary,  Alberta at Tom Baker Cancer
Centre.  About 6 hours ago, I  was exposed to one of my patient's blood.  I
was removing a mask from  this patient and some blood dripped on my hand (?
1mL).  My hand  has several tiny cuts on it resulting from frequent
handwashing  (dermatitis?) and the arid climate here in Calgary.  I
immediately  washed my skin thoroughly with the hospital antibacterial soap
and also  used the alcohol-based Purell hand sanitizer (soaked my hand in
it!).  I also have this patient's blood embedded under my thumbnail  where I
do have a scab, but I cannot remove the blood completely without
compromising the integrity of my skin.  However, the blood is dry  now.  A
risk assessment has been done on this patient and he is  deemed to be at low
risk for HIV, Hep B and Hep C.  Here's my  dilemma.  I have been advised
that I must stop breastfeeding right  away (Alberta Cancer Board policy) and
I must wait for my 6 month lab test  results for HIV, Hep B and Hep C before
I can resume it.  By then, my  daughter won't remember how to latch!  I am
so not ready to stop  breastfeeding.  My baby is only 15 months old.  I also
nurse her 3 1/2 yr old sister.  Based on the situation I  described, do you
know what kind of risk I would be putting my baby in  should I disregard the
Alberta Cancer Board's Occupational Health and  Safety policy?
Breastfeeding is so important to me.  This  is my last baby (I have 4 kids).
I didn't want to end my  breastfeeding relationship this way, yet I don't
want to cause my  daughters harm either.  Please help me.  I am desperate to
find  some answers asap.

Many thanks,

Nancy Beauchemin
(403)  208-9979

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