The Cancer War: The First Battle

I just turned 40.  I have 5 kids.  The youngest just turned 1.  I usually have breastfed my babies 15 or so months, but I was diagnosed with cancer last week, so I am weaning my baby to prepare for treatment. It is 5:30 in the morning, and this night went better for the baby than last night.  He is used to nursing at night.  He was ok until 4am, then he was upset about it all, and my sweet husband took him for a walk.  I am so engorged right now that it is hard to hug and cuddle with my children. PAIN!  I hope the swelling goes down soon.  I was looking for some advice for people who have to stop breastfeeding suddenly, and I came across this:

"Abrupt weaning, or ceasing all breastfeedings immediately and at once, is difficult on both the mother and the baby, but sometimes is necessary in cases of serious health issues like cancer. There is great physical discomfort and the mother could end up with a breast infection such as mastitis because her body will not have time to adjust to the fact that she is not removing milk. In addition, the mother's hormones will be shocked. Prolactin, the hormone that is released during breastfeeding, gives the mother feelings of euphoria. When she stops breastfeeding abruptly, the prolactin levels drop dramatically and she may feel depressed. Aside from the issues the mother may have, the baby could potentially have emotional trauma. The mother should take care to give the baby extra affection during this time."

I will have to guard against the effect of prolactin levels dropping.  I want to stay positive and cheerful for my kids.  We told them about what is going on.  I feel very positive and hopeful about fighting cancer.  I know it will be hard, but I have such wonderful reasons to fight, and such a wonderful circle of family and friends to support me.

It will be a busy day today.  I am helping make sets for a play two of my kids are in - Seussical.  They are really excited about it.  There is a lot of work to do.  I am trying to decide how to draw Whoville.