This is the first time I have posted to Lactnet, I have been lurking for about six months. I have learned a lot from reading the posts. My name is Mary Marine. I have been a La Leche League Leader for seven years and nursed 3 children. This last July I passed the IBLCE exam and am beginning a small private practice in my community.

I have the mother's permission to post this case. The mother was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time in 2001, when her first child was a one year old. The mother believes the cancer began during her first pregnancy. The mother was treated with chemotherapy and had a mastectomy. The doctors did not do radiation treatment because the mother also has Lupus. During her second pregnancy the mother was diagnosed with a recurrence of the cancer. Her cancer is in the same area where they found the cancer before. The cancer is Estrogen Receptor Negative, Stage 2A. The mother is now at the end of her second pregnancy and is scheduled for a cesarean section on Monday. The doctors are going to remove the lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread when they do the cesarean section. The doctors are planning on doing radiation and probably chemotherapy three weeks after the babies birth. Last June she had a mamogram in the remaining breast and there were no signs of cancer. The doctors have told the mother that they believe there will be too little benefit from breastfeeding for the three weeks. The mother would like to give her baby as much breastmilk as possible given the situation.

My question - Beyond encouraging the mother to discuss her wishes with her doctor to give the baby as much breastmilk as she can, even if for a short time, what other suggestions do you have for the mom to get informed on all the options (including possibly a specialist) she has at this point to meet her breastfeeding goals. The mother lives in California in the San Fransico Bay Area.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions,

Mary Marine, LLLL, IBCLC



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