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Less Is More: A Lesson In Breastfeeding
By Teraisa J. Goldman
At 26, I vainly stood naked in front of the mirror admiring my swollen belly. My hands massaged my skin, wishing they could feel a little leg or an arm, but I was only 4 months pregnant, so that would have to wait a little longer. As I put on my maternity bra, I saw something strange -- deformed -- in the mirror: a lump in my right breast.
This was not my first child; Alexis was already 5, so I knew not to panic, it was probably a milk duct preparing for the birth. I decided to wait until the next visit with our midwife to bring it up; I did not want to cause my family to worry needlessly.
I could not help touching it or looking at it. In the morning I would wonder, is it still there? Has it grown? Believe it or not, I was not much more concerned than that, I was just curious...although I suddenly noticed every type of media (magazines, television, books, etc.) that had anything to do with... CANCER. There! I said it.
That is about how it hit me, before seeing a doctor, when I finally added a Woman's Day Magazine to my groceries simply because it had a cancer survival story. All of a sudden, I wanted -- needed -- to know everything about my breasts, and anyone else that was willing to share their story.
When I next met with my midwife, Chari (have you ever noticed how possessive people are about their midwives?), I was told to see my doctor immediately.
At that time, I have to be honest, I wasn't just seeing Chari. I was also seeing an OB/GYN, Dr. Koch. Now, don't worry, they were both aware and, for my particular pregnancies, in approval of each other's existence.
Dr. Koch, throughout the remainder of my pregnancy, monitored the lump. Together we decided to leave it alone until after the baby was born. Maybe it would go away.