Pregnant and recently diagnosed with Breast cancer

I think you’d really benefit from talking to a Macmillan nurse, call them first thing, they are so helpful, and do try your breast care nurses again some are fantastic, it can be luck if the draw but most are good. I hope someone responds who has more specialist knowledge than me, I just couldn’t leave you with no response x

There is another lady who has posted recently who is also pregnant MariaL I think is her name. I’ve tagged her in so maybe you can talk x

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, I will call them in the morning. Sending you much love and hugs xx

Hello Sal.K,  I am so sorry to hear that you have to deal with a breaSt cancer diagnosis.  Just want you to know that although I don’t have answers to your questions there will be others who have dealt with this and will be able to help you.  It is an emotional process and we are all here to support you.  God bless you and your baby too.

Barbara

 Sal.K this isn’t cancer related but. I don’t know if this is your first pregnancy, I had to have my daughter induced at 36 weeks because I was very unwell, not with cancer, a pregnancy related issue and subsequently I was on monster antibiotics having retained part of the placenta which meant I couldn’t breastfeed. Firstly, my daughter was delivered healthy and a decent weight (she’s 13 now) so I just wanted to reassure you. Secondly I was devastated I couldn’t breastfeed as health visitors were constantly telling me to pump to keep my milk in (I was just too ill) and we always feel it’s best for baby. My daughter was absolutely fine, she’s over 5ft 11 now, healthy in all ways. Not breast feeding meant I could see what she was eating, reducing stress and other people could help me so I could share the load. So try and take some solace that there are some positives to not breast feeding. You can only do your best xx

I’m sorry about your diagnosis, suspect it was a huge shock, but  I agree with Anna12345 - I couldn’t breastfeed my son as I lost a lot of blood during the birth and was badly anaemic. I had to take Ferrous Sulphate 3 times a day for about 6 weeks, and they said that he would be able to taste the iron, and likely spit the milk out, or refuse it completely. He was a very good feeder right from the start (9lbs weight) and they said that I couldn’t have kept up with him anyway, and I would have had to supplement him with formula. Now 6ft 3 and a firefighter …. And bottle feeding was a wonderful quiet time between us … very special. 

Anna12345 yes that was me 

Sal.K firstly very sorry to hear your news. I found out last Monday I have breast cancer approaching 38weeks. This Monday morning at 3.10am I birthed our little boy so it has been one hell of a rollercoaster week.

My cancer team were happy to go full term but having discussed with midwife team I decided to be induced early to get these few extra weeks with him before it all started. 

I am in the same boat as you as want to breast feed & currently am. I don't know where you are based but I am in London & with st Thomas' Hospital & the breast feeding support team have been amazing. I would definitely recommend that you reach out to that team in your hospital as they were able to provide much more information than the cancer team could. I don't know my treatment plan yet but the breastfeeding team are going to assess when I know to see what is the best course of action whether I can do some expressing myself but also told me of a charity where you can get donated breast milk if you wanted to look into that, they also told me about a charity supporting pregnant woman with cancer- I'll check up the names & post separately as my brain can't recall at moment

I don't know if I can offer advice at this stage but for me I made the decision last week that I would concentrate on baby & enjoying this experience now & not try to think about all the treatment until I need to & found that it is working for me. Don't know if you have kids already but this is my first & it is the most incredible, life altering experience & definitely think although will be tough he will be one hell of a reason to help get through it all. Very best of luck & happy to update you on what happens with me as I go along 

Sal.K this is the email follow up I had of how the breastfeeding team would help including the links I mentioned above. Again very best of luck firstly with the birth & then all else to follow

-Hearts Milk bank https://heartsmilkbank.org/milk/  We can be the team supporting you and once baby is here we can refer to Islington. Your GP can help you with application for funding and the Hearts Milk Bank team can coordinate this.

• Mummy’s Star charity – social media information
• Infant feeding team support on the ward as needed and referral to local infant feeding team when going home
• Ongoing support from the team for feeding when starting treatment and for as long as you need
• Liaising with pharmacy and oncology teams as needed for feeding support during treatment

Thank you both that's been really reassuring to hear:) x

Firstly congratulations on the birth of your precious little boy! 

Second thank you for taking the time to write on here, as much as I'm so sorry that you have found yourself on this site I am grateful to you for your post. X

I have managed to call and speak to the head specialist nurse today and they have given me an appointment tomorrow to talk things over. They wanted to give me an appointment for next week Monday with the consultant but with going in for my labour induction on Saturday I told them that wouldn't really be feasible and perhaps I could have a telephone consultation which they've agreed to. Hopefully I'll find out more about everything then, I'm sitting here writing out all my questions just incase I feel overwhelmed and forget anything. 

Again thank you hun for reaching out to me on here and bless you for all the info and links. Take care enjoy your little boy and sincerely wishing you all the best with your journey. XXX