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Date: | Wed, 30 Nov 2005 08:23:14 -0800 |
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--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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