I am posting this for a colleague.  She has searched the archives and 
hasn't found the answers to her specific questions.  She has 
permission from her client to post.  If you could reply to the list 
and to her personally, that would be great:  [log in to unmask]

Laura Mundt, ICCE

>
>
>I have a client (single, 40) with newborn twins who was diagnosed with
>breast cancer during her pregnancy. She underwent chemo and a small surgery
>(small lump removed on one side and some nodes on the same side) , and had
>the twins just after the drugs from the chemo wore off. She is doing well,
>breastfeeding most of the time with some formula supplementing and the twins
>are gaining great. But her doctor has given her just a few weeks to
>breastfeed since they want to go in and re-excise her breast to remove
>another small part and then start radiation. Her last visit went poorly,
>with her doctor asking her to begin weaning now, since he wants her to be
>done by 2 mo so they can do the surgery. She is heartbroken, and really
>wanted the first two months to give her babies breastmilk (one is a girl,
>which of course causes us to maximize her breastmilk intake due to her
>potential risk).
>So . . . My question is: Do you know any studies about how long it takes to
>stop your breasts from lactating?
>I am not sure why they need her to stop for the surgery, but I am curious to
>give her some backing to take back to her doctor.
>I told her she can wean quickly (4-5 days) right before the surgery and
>still get in many weeks of breastfeeding. But I need something to back it up
>so she can negotiate with the oncologist.
>We have talked about weaning just the one side, and getting in a few more
>weeks of breastfeeding on the other before radiation starts. She is anxious
>to give her babies the best she can offer, with regard to keeping herself
>cancer free so she can effectively mother them.
>
>
>Thanks so much for helping me with this, Laura. I so appreciate your time.
>Kimberly

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