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TJ_77's avatar
TJ_77
Member
2 years ago

Diagnosed last week- 1yr postpartum & still nursing

Hello,
Sadly like many I'm new here!
My story started in 2009, I was 32 & single when I was first diagnosed with invasive cancer. I was treated at the time with a lumpectomy, radiation & 5yrs on Tamoxifen. Seven months after my diagnosis I celebrated being cancer free with an overseas trip where I met my now husband. 
In July 2022, after 7 years of trying, & with the help of ART, we welcomed our little one, & she's a gem!
Last week, just two days prior to her first birthday party we got the phone call advising me I have the same cancer again.
I'm still nursing her 5-6 times in 24hrs, to any ladies out there in a similar boat, did anyone manage to keep nursing? I'm guessing we'll end up weaning quickly but the thought of that is heartbreaking (even though I know she's resilient & old enough, she just so little 😢).
Side note, I'm still pending my treatment planning meeting but given the preliminary biopsy grades are higher than 2009, I can't imagine the road is going to be any easier than my first go around. 
Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom, especially when I comes to parenting litle ones during this time. 🙏
children
invasive-ductal-carcinoma
ivf
  • TJ_77's avatar
    TJ_77
    Member
    2 years ago
    cranky_granny said:
    @TJ_77  sorry that your back on the roller coaster again a lot has changed since 2009. The multi disciplinary team will advise you whats best for your particular diagnosis its not just 1 person making all the suggestions they should be follow the best practice guidelines. 
    As for it being as bad if not worse than last time  these days its tailored to suit you as much as possible if you find your suffering let your main contact know. Usually a specialty nurse. I’m in NSW but I imagine it would be similar in all states. 
    With the weaning of your daughter  i would start sooner than later. Mine were drinking from a cup and having some solid the breast feeds were more of a comfort thing and rest time for me than actually necessary. The hardest thing i ever did was stop that last feed at night and the first one in the morning. 
    Best wishes for your treatment and jump on here and ask away theres nothing too strange or silly to ask and thetes never any judgement 
    Thanks @cranky_granny! I'm heading for a mastectomy in October!
    We're now down to just the morning & supper feed, hopefully little miss continues to take it all in her stride.
  • TJ_77's avatar
    TJ_77
    Member
    2 years ago
    brightspace said:
    Hi TJ77...sorry this has happened
    Info is that breast feeding is not recommended as you will be starting treatment
    Hoping you get specialist feedback as soon as possible
    Would be good to start the weaning as soon as possible 
    All the best 
    Bright in hope
    @brightspace thanks for your msg, i now know at a minimum i'm having a mastectomy middle of October, so little one will be off the boob (hopefully successfully) by then, so far she's doing ok....apart from those bloody teeth keep coming LOL
  • cranky_granny's avatar
    cranky_granny
    Member
    2 years ago
    @TJ_77  sorry that your back on the roller coaster again a lot has changed since 2009. The multi disciplinary team will advise you whats best for your particular diagnosis its not just 1 person making all the suggestions they should be follow the best practice guidelines. 
    As for it being as bad if not worse than last time  these days its tailored to suit you as much as possible if you find your suffering let your main contact know. Usually a specialty nurse. I’m in NSW but I imagine it would be similar in all states. 
    With the weaning of your daughter  i would start sooner than later. Mine were drinking from a cup and having some solid the breast feeds were more of a comfort thing and rest time for me than actually necessary. The hardest thing i ever did was stop that last feed at night and the first one in the morning. 
    Best wishes for your treatment and jump on here and ask away theres nothing too strange or silly to ask and thetes never any judgement 
  • brightspace's avatar
    brightspace
    Member
    2 years ago
    Hi TJ77...sorry this has happened
    Info is that breast feeding is not recommended as you will be starting treatment
    Hoping you get specialist feedback as soon as possible
    Would be good to start the weaning as soon as possible 
    All the best 
    Bright in hope