Dear Lactnetters,

This mom has given permission to share her story with you.  I have been so
inspired by this woman's story I couldn't resist sharing it with those who
would understand and possibly be touched as I was.

Allison has been in contact with me on the chat, and the message board on
ParentsPlace.com and via email. She has a very serious life threatening form
of renal cancer and has just started chemo.   She was able to breastfeed thru
2 ICU hospitalizations despite the negative reactions of the hospital and
doctors around her. Because she is in Toronto, I was able to connect her with
Dr. Jack Newman  (bless you Jack!!) who was a big help in supporting her and
helping her convince her doctors to let her breastfeed up to her first
surgery and as soon as she was able after.  They had recommended immediate
weaning on learning of the cancer.   The last hospitalization she actually
got the hospital to change policy and allow the baby into the ICU to
breastfeed as much as possible. (this was before chemo started)

Sadly the cancer is not controlled yet and chemo is taking it's toll.   She
has had to wean abruptly, her baby is 8 months old.    Her last contact with
me was last night, Monday, to ask for help in reducing the engorgement from
the sudden weaning.  She finds it unbearable to pump to relieve it because
the chemo is making her skin dry and she has numerous nipple cracks.  I
advised cool compresses and cabbage leaves, she is already on mega pain
killers.  (any additional thoughts on helping her to be more comfy would be
much appreciated)

Those of you inclined, please pray for Allison and her baby Genevieve, (the
mothers on the message board have set up numerous prayer chains) besides her
very serious health concerns she is facing an untimely and unwanted weaning.
I know part of her struggle is her question; "will the chemo be worth it? and
will she survive to continue to enjoy her baby or should she just pack it in
and enjoy breastfeeding while she can and skip the chemo."

I personally encouraged her to continue with the chemo hard as it is because
her baby needs her mom more than she needs her mom's milk. Amazingly she has
already provided her baby with 8 months of breastmilk even though this
illness started shortly after the baby's birth.

Allison turned to the message board for information about weaning and
support.  The usual response to a single post is about 1-6 or so, Allison got
68 responses of encouragement and offers of prayers.   I am not surprised by
the huge response but in awe of how loving and supportive we are as
women.........gosh I am sooo proud to be a woman right now!!  Here is the url
to her post and the responses if you feel like a good cry.

http://boards2.parentsplace.com/messages/get/ppbreastfeeding291/20.html

A few of the moms on the message board suggested that maybe she should drink
her own breast milk to help her immune system fight the cancer.  I questioned
the wisdom of this, first since it is laced with the chemo......wouldn't that
mess up the immune components? and isn't she already getting the benefit of
any immunity she already has?, and secondly since she is in extreme pain when
trying to pump. (how would she get the milk?) But she asked me to ask you
wise folks here so I am.  Any thoughts on this idea?

This is one time I wish my IBCLC came with a magic wand.

Kathy Kuhn
RN BSN IBCLC
ParentsPlace.com LC
private practice LC
Pennsylvania USA

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