Update on mum with breastcancer.

Things seem to be going well under the circumstances. The swelling has
subsided and seemed to be what is often called physiological 'engorgement'.
This morning both breasts were softer and no longer painful. The tumor is
in the left breast on the left upper  ( I think outer ) quadrant. Milk has
'come in' the baby feeds every 2,5  3 hours and is already above birth
weight. The tumor is approx. 4 cm in diameter and can easily be felt,
especially when the breast is soft after feeds. It appears to be a slow
growin tumor, for it's been there since February last year (!). The GP
didn't take it seriously back then he thought that it was 'just a gland'.
The mother has seen him for it twice. He didn't refer her until she got
pregnant and the midwife didn't trust it. She referred her to hospital (
where they found it to be a tumor after all ) and the she was referred to a
specialized medical centre.

That's where they decided to wait and see until after the birth of the baby.
With 38 weeks the mother was induced because she didn't want to go on like
this, also because the baby had a lump in his neck ( later on was
discovered that this was a fluid-filled cyst ). At first the word tumor was
used with the lump in the baby too so you can probably imagine that they
all got a big scare from that. Now, after birth, the baby still has the
lump, but nothing will be done about it unless there are chances because
the lump is fluid filled.

The mum will have surgery at the end of next week. Breast-conserving
therapy will be the first option, unless during the surgery there's reason
for more tissue removal. Immediately afterwards radiation and chemo will be
started. She's already in touch with a mammaconsultant.

What my colleague finds strange is the fact that they have the mother
breastfeed for 14 days, then make her quit.  Her concern is that she
wonders if one can cut in a fully lactating breast.

The mum self thinks that she won't feel up to continue breastfeeding and
she wants to quit altogether when treatment starts.

She feels that partial weaning is in order already for the upcoming surgery.
She'd love to hear my thoughts on all of the above........................

Well, I'll share all info I have with her and will address concerns I have
on the management above. When replying, keep in mind that the wording,
questions and opinions above are mostly my colleagues, words in quotes are
cultural believes and, for a great deal,  have to do with management.

Thanks in advance for all your wisdom and also thanks for your replies sofar.

Renate



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Renate Rietveld, IBCLC
E-mail  : [log in to unmask] Homepage: www.lactatiekundige.com
BreastEd On-line Lactation Studies Senior Tutor ( www.health-e-learning.com )
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