PEOPLE/SUBSCRIBERS of Lactnet,
                             Hello, and thankyou for such an interesting
mail drop -so often. I'm afraid it interferes with my work.
   My occupations are mother, midwife, LC,and occasionally wife, housewife, and
small farmer. There seems no end to it some days, but we're generally happy.
My midwifery clients are actually partners. Active childbirth is more of a
reality here in New Zealand, and many women enter an informal partnership with
a midwife who has experience and trust in natural physiology. The specialists
are part of the team if a problem presents, but mostly the family physician and
the midwife share care. It works well for the women - intervention rates are
low, and breastfeeding rates are high. Midwives phones are always busy.
   I am presenting two concerns, please.
1, I would like some news about inflammatory breast cancer. I have learned to
take all lumps seriously, even when they look like an inflammation. The mother
concerned has had diagnosis at 36 wks gestation, mastectomy, C/S at 38 wks, and
now is facing a vigorous course of chemotherapy.This is far from my normal
experience.
2, I have another mother, successfully breastfeeding, but plagued by
recurrent blocked ducts, along with flare-ups of eczema and joint pain. The
only medication has been Nystatin. Is there
any link between these conditions?
Thank you for your time.
                                 Mary Grant, RM, IBCLC.