Dear LactNetters,
       A mother in my LLL group has a 10-month-old who is in remission from
cancer.  The baby was diagnosed at just under 3 months.  Her type of cancer is
actually an aggressive rare form of adult cancer, that is even rarer in
babies.  The baby has been written up in the cancer communications.  Oh, my memory
is failing me here.  "Communications" isn't the right word, and it isn't
"journal", but I forgot just what she called it.  Every week, cancer specialists
have some kind of live Internet meeting where they discuss really different and
difficult cases.  Forgot the name, but that's what I'm talking about.
       Anyway, this mother was able to keep their breastfeeding relationship
going despite very hard times.  There were long stretches when the baby could
not accept anything by mouth.  This mother currently has 800 ounces (that's
not a typo--800!) of expressed breastmilk in her freezer.  And right now, baby
is home in remission, which everyone is happy about.  Baby is barely accepting
any solids yet, which is to be expected, but is breastfeeding just fine.
(Well, except to pop off frequently during the day to check out what her big
brother and sister are doing!)
       The reason for this note:  This mother asked me to let you all know
that she is very willing to talk to any other mother whose baby has been
diagnosed with cancer.  While she didn't want me to post her info online for
thousands to see, she has given me permission to share it with any mother currently
trying to keep breastfeeding going while caring for a sick baby with cancer.  So
keep this note, and if you are currently or in the future working with such a
mother, and she'd like to talk to someone who's been through it, have her
contact me.  I will put her in touch with the mother.  I can be called at
618-346-1919 (USA) or e-mailed at [log in to unmask]
       Dee

Dee Kassing, BS, MLS, IBCLC
Collinsville, Illinois, in central USA

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