This past Fall I had an interesting experience. I was starting to wean my 4th baby and was looking forward to being done nursing forever. I remember on this particular day, it was my Father-in Law's and niece's, Ashlee (not Ashley, hope that doesn't confuse you), birthdays. I found a lump in my breast. Which when you are nursing is very common. This time, for some reason I couldn't work the lump out. I started investigating online what might happen if the milk duct stayed plugged and learned all about Mastitis. It was a surreal experience known what to expect as the infection inside me grew. I want to bed early that night as my body tried to fight back.
I was awoken in the middle of the night as the nausea and fever kicked in to full force. By morning, I was miserable. I remained calm because I had read and knew what was required to cure this. I called my doctor's office and by late morning had begun the antibiotic regiment to kill the Mastitis. I also had a few home remedies to elevate some of the symptoms. All day as I lay there I kept telling myself that by Sunday morning I will have turned the corner.
As Sunday morning dawned, I was no better. In fact, I was worse. Monday morning the same. By this point, I was in need of medical attention. I was able to get right in. The doctor was surprised by my condition. She prescribed stronger antibiotics. Tuesday,still miserable. To be honest, I have been sick quite a few times in my life. I am prone to heat stroke, migraines, sinus infections, and we can't forget the nine months of morning sickness with each pregnancy. Still nothing compares with this experience. Anyway back to my tale, Tuesday I went to the breast imaging specialist for an exam. You know things are bad when a specialist looks at something and is surprised by what she sees. Even with her expertise, she had no suggestions for care above what was being done. Wednesday, I was back at the doctor. I should mention this wasn't my doctor. You know how it is when they were trying to squeeze me in on Monday they put me with whoever had an availability. By this point, this doctor who I was not a patient of was rearranging her schedule to make sure I was getting her consistent care. Thursday I was there again. This time she performed a procedure to aspirate the infection. Friday, I was at the surgeon's. That is basically where the tale was put on hold. The surgeon didn't want to operate since I was breast feeding. She told me to wait 3 months and see what happened.
Luckily, thanks to the infection being drained and heavy antibiotics I began to recover.
I kept waiting for the lump to resolve itself. The reminder card arrived 3 months later and I called for an appointment. I am pretty sure the receptionist didn't understand what I was calling in regards to and told me I couldn't be seen for two more months. I waited those two months with the lump bugging me. Sometimes, I would even wake up at night because of it. It weighted on me because I knew my sister-in-law's experience with a lump in her breast. Finally, I went to the appointment with my doctor. She was horrified to learn I had known about a lump for that long and it hadn't been resolved. I was referred again to the surgeon. Instead of next day availability like last time, this time I had to wait another month to see her.
Seeing the surgeon the second time brought on a sudden flurry of activity. She wanted to perform surgery as soon as possible...my husband had a trip planned and we had to wait for two weeks. She also wanted me to see the breast imaging specialist again...They worked me in the next morning. She decided right then, before any images or consults, that she was removing the lump...hallelujah, that's what I had wanted for months...and that I had 3 hernia that needed immediate repair as well...what?
Well, that is the tale of me falling apart. As you probably figured, the lump was benign. The surgery went successfully. Now, I am just left to recover. Oh my, that is more then I bargained for.
If you read this whole post you deserve a reward. Go have a cookie or something!
