Hello - I'm posting this for my co-Leader - She has been helping a mother
who now has an 8 month old baby.  The baby was born by cesarean, and at the
time, it was discovered that the mother had ovarian cancer.  She had
a complete hysterectomy, and will be going on chemotherapy soon.  This
brave woman has been breastfeeding throughout.  Her chemotheraphy will be
starting on January 22nd.  She has been told that she must wean completely,
permanently, because there is no information on how long the chemotherapy
drugs will stay in her system.  This mother nursed her older child until
she was 4, and would like to nurse this baby on a long term basis as
well.  She is willing to temporarily wean and pump for as long as 6 months
in order to make this happen - she is very motivated.

Her chemotheraphy treatment (as told to my co-Leader) is as follows:

"4 doses of Carboplatin (360 mg/m 2  IV ) and Cytoxin, repeated every 4 weeks.
Then with adjustments made according to the lowest post-treatment platelet or
neutraphil value as assesed by weekly blood counts."

Above is verbatim as read to my co-Leader, by the mother.

La Leche League's new Breastfeeding Answer Book states that breastfeeding is
contraindicated with Cytoxin.  Does anyone have any information about how long
the above drugs remain in the mother's system.  This mother accepts temporary
weaning if necessary, but is desparate to resume the nursing relationship if
there is *any* possibility at all.  Also, would it be okay for her to nurse
for comfort, immediately after pumping?

Any information anyone has would be greatly appreciated - could you e-mail me
as well as posting to the list?  Thank you very much.

Jane Khondker,
La Leche League Leader
Potsdam New York