Karen F.,

In response to your request for input:

Yes, sounds like new tissue. You say "Most recently, though the skin tissue
is clean, not oozing, in depths of the crack now a mound of raw red tissue is
forming",-good description of granulation tissue -AKA scar tissue- forming
during the prolonged healing process as a consequence of the inability of the
wound edges to be brought together. I believe this would normally occur after
an oozing inflammatory reaction. The crack at the base initiating this whole
process. A dimple ring may work better on a nipple that inverts at the
center. Since the ring fixes at the nipple base, it may put pressure on the
healing crack site at the base causing discomfort and irritation, and hold
moisture to that area also. Traditional treatment other than that which you
outlined in your post: Rest that nipple, but I don't know if pumping would be
more restful. Could try a breast shell to keep that left nipple everted so it
does not fold down over the healing wound, during waking hours between fds.
But not if the shell exerts so much pressure on surrounding tissue that the
wound may re-open, or if the opening is not large enough to place the rim
well away from the crack site. What else would hold that nipple up off the
wound? Untraditional treatments /methods to consider if you feel that more
air dry time is needed:


































                                                                           1)
If the nipple tip is not sore, a piece of porous/paper tape could be fixed
carefully to the nipple tip and then up on the breast to lift it just off the
"crack area".            2) If you don't want to stick any tape to the nipple
tip, fold a piece of 1/2 inch paper tape length-wise, sticky sides together,
in half or thirds depending on nipple length, to fashion a little nipple
sling for that nipple to be placed in, secure it up on the breast above the
nipple just enough to hold the nipple up off the healing wound.
Have not been in a situation exactly like yours so have not tried either of
these last two options. Just envisioning what I might try, based on your
description, keeping in mind the need to avoid excess traction of the nipple
upward that could result in re-opening the wound. Bet this sounds just like
something a nurse would come up with!
Option#3) When you're done laughing about 1 and 2 above: Continue doing just
exactly what you have been doing. You are providing untiring, undaunted
support and making steady progress in a challenging situation.

Deborah Tobin
Springfield, VA