Please excuse my using this forum again to let all of you know how I am
doing.
My health has now become a state of RELATIVE health. :-(
Following treatment for a second bout of sepsis, I felt *well* in a matter of
2 days.

I returned to my LC position at Kaiser, Riverside on Oct. 20th on limited
duty. Unfortunately I was only able to continue until the following Monday
when severe pain-that felt like someone had taken a blow torch to my leg-
forced me off work and back to the doctor.  (I was so full of pain
medication--I KNEW I would be dangerous around the babies) The burning pain
kept me awake for 4 nights. I was a zombie.

I  drew a picture of my leg with a relief map of what it feels like and
where.  This was very a cathartic activity for me and it helped the doctor
*see* what I was trying to describe. (Might work for some of our moms with
weird breastpain.)

The doctor says I now have (one more thing for the list) Reflex Sympathetic
Dystrophy Syndrome. It is a nerve disorder related to *trauma.* (I guess so,
I've had 32 operations) The thumb nail sketch of the disorder is that the
nerves in my leg have short circuited. They are sending all the wrong signals
to my brain. This causes various problems including circulatory changes, hair
and nail growth changes and bone loss in the affected limb.

So I am off work again. And I have no idea for how long this time. I'm OK if
I don't do too much. Balancing activity and rest is tricky. If I am too
sedentary, I risk losing mobility in the joint. If I overdo, even the least
little bit, the *Fire* starts up again.

The doctor mentioned I should start thinking about *retiring* (at 41?). I
worry that it might come to that.  I've never let *it* win or let *it* get me
down before.  I want to stay in my clinical position because I love it. And
my family can't afford it.  However, the last day I worked I started Monday
morning rounds in the hospital with 13 moms. No LC during the weekend and ALL
of them had problems, ALL of them had formula in their rooms. If you've ever
made rounds in a hospital you know that it means bending stooping, crawling
into to bed with mom and baby (most of our moms are in queen size beds). We
do whatever it takes to get the baby on the breast. You can't just walk in
and  ask "How is it going?" and then not give hands-on help where it's
needed. From rounds I spend several hours in the clinic with lactation
appointments and telephone calls. On limited duty they only cut out the
classes I teach 2-3 times per week.

I've been trying to think of ways that I can stay in lactation that are
compatible with my disability.  Maybe I could teach or write.  I haven't come
up with anything yet. Maybe I am being stubborn.

I will let you all know what happens

Thank you all for the prayers and kind email. @-->
Marie Davis, RN, IBCLC
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