Tackle It Tuesday – Tackling Mastitis

by Janice

Tackle It Tuesday Meme

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I am tackling mastitis…

Saturday morning, I woke up to two discoveries. One, my seven week old Olivia had slept through the night – from midnight to six am! And two, something was very wrong with my breast.

It only took me a couple of moments to figure out that I had mastitis. My right breast was hot, swollen, red and intensely painful and I felt terrible. My head hurt, my whole body ached, nursing Olivia was agony – yes – this was mastitis alright.

My initial fear was that I wouldn’t be able to nurse with the antibiotics – which was silly because I know that there are some antibiotics that are safe to take while nursing. But in the first few moments, all I could think about was if I would still be able to nurse. In the “old days” when my mom was nursing Susan and me, my mom’s doctor insisted that my mom stopped nursing when she got mastitis. We were only three months old and she had to wean us. I can’t imagine how painful that must have been to wean while having mastitis! I am sooo grateful that the doctors know better now and that we have antibiotics!!!

After a visit to the clinic to get some antibiotics, I nursed again and then went to bed. And that is where I stayed all weekend – nursing and sleeping. I can’t believe how sick mastitis makes you! Wow – I was absolutely miserable. I had the chills, my entire body ached, my head screamed, and I was so weak. Even my skin hurt.

But thank the Lord for antibiotics! By Sunday evening I was feeling much better. I still have a large, hard lump in my breast. I am massaging it and nursing as often as possible, but I am definitely on the mend.

So, I have no other tackles to show today. As I said, all I accomplished this weekend was nursing and resting. Thankfully it happened on the weekend so my husband was home to help me and I didn’t have to drive Jackson to school or activities.

It sure isn’t an exciting tackle – and I certainly don’t have any photos to show of it! LOL – I don’t think I want to photograph the before and after of my inflammed breast! But that is what I tackled.

How about you? What are you tackling this week? Link up and let us know.

Join Us For Tackle It Tuesday

We’re making housework blog-able!

Each week on Tuesday, we are posting before and after pictures of a project or trouble area that we tackled this week.

Find out more about Tackle It Tuesday here.

The project can be little or big – whatever you want. Basically, Tackle It Tuesday is about giving ourselves incentive, deadlines and satisfaction in getting our household tasks done. (It doesn’t even have to be housework… just whatever is on your To Do list.)

If you tackled a project this week, just add a comment and add your link below.



Email Author    |    Website About Janice

Janice is co-founder of 5 Minutes For Mom. Along with her twin sister Susan and their mother Joan, Janice also owns two online toy stores -- one specializing in Ride on Toys and the other in Rocking Horses. Janice has a spunky little girl and a rambunctious boy who love to make it difficult for her to work from home.

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{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }

1 A Juggling Mum November 20, 2007 at 1:30 am

Ouchhhh I’ve been there and done that and never want to experience it again.

Take care of yourself Janice and hopefully you’ll be back to your good old self very soon :)

Rachel xxx
A Juggling Mum

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2 jen November 20, 2007 at 1:51 am

its lovely when they sleep through :)

pleased your ok again and bless your hubby

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3 Q&Q November 20, 2007 at 2:28 am

Oh Janice! How painful! Oh joy she slept through the night! Oh how painful! Joy! Pain! God bless you and I hope you’re feeling well really soon.

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4 Lois Lane November 20, 2007 at 2:30 am

You and your sister have a wonderful blog. I read it all the time, but this is the first time that I’m commenting… and not in response to a contest. I have never had mastitis, but I’ve heard all about how painful it is. My sis (who’s practically my twin) has had it. I feel for you. So glad you’re feeling better. :)

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5 Tammy and Parker November 20, 2007 at 2:59 am

Oh. Ouch. Really, really, really big ouch.

So glad you are feeling better.

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6 Krista November 20, 2007 at 3:07 am

I think my tackle about matches yours. We actually had a “date” Friday night and for the reward I got food poisoning. So I spent Saturday feeling like I’d been run over by a truck and then Sunday recuperating. Ugh. Glad you’re better, so am I!

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7 melody is slurping life November 20, 2007 at 3:16 am

Just a hug and a prayer for quick healing.

And a thanks for not posting photos. :) Take care.

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8 Cindy November 20, 2007 at 3:21 am

Hey Janice,
I’m glad to hear that you’re on the mend! Mastitis is just no fun…I’ve had it repeatly with all of my kiddos!
Take care,
Cindy

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9 Twisted Cinderella November 20, 2007 at 7:07 am

Ouch, painful! Sorry you have had to tackle this one!

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10 stacey November 20, 2007 at 7:28 am

ooooh, i had that too! i hope you feel better soon!

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11 Kerith Collins November 20, 2007 at 7:41 am

oh…that is the worst…i hope you are over it soon.

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12 HyperactiveLu November 20, 2007 at 8:37 am

Oh goodness! So sorry about the sickies….it sounds so painful. :) Hope you recover quickly!

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13 themommykelly November 20, 2007 at 8:44 am

Well it sure sounds like you did plenty this weekend! Seriously! I wouldn’t want to tackle that at all!

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14 Jill T. at The Well-Read Child November 20, 2007 at 9:29 am

Yikes…I had it three times with my daughter. Make sure you get lots of rest. Warm compresses always seemed to make me feel better.

This Tuesday I’m tackling work. I have so many projects and the new blog that I’m swimming in tasks. My goal is to organize and prioritize my to-do list today.

Hope you feel better!

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15 Summer November 20, 2007 at 9:50 am

I was shocked to the first time I got mastitis. It really does make you so ill you can hardly move. I’m glad you’re feeling better.

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16 Sarah November 20, 2007 at 10:08 am

Yikes…that sounds SO painful!

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17 lauren November 20, 2007 at 10:20 am

Oh, I’m so sorry! I hope you feel better and don’t have any more bouts of mastitis.

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18 Deb November 20, 2007 at 10:43 am

Hope you are feeling ok!

DEB

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19 Tyra November 20, 2007 at 10:48 am

Hope you feel better soon!

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20 Melonie (Momma & More) November 20, 2007 at 11:18 am

I’ve read that a cool cabbage leaf as a compress helps. Then again, thankfully I’ve not had to try that method myself.

It’s wonderful that she slept through the night; I’m so glad your hubby was home for the worst too, to help you out. *phew!*

Glad to hear you’re on the mend. Yay! :-)

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21 Sarah Kimmel November 20, 2007 at 11:21 am

Been There! I got it twice while nursing my daughter for 15 months. I took REALLY hot baths and totally submerged my breast into the water and massaged the heck out of it. It really helped. Plus the antibiotics helped too! Good luck! I know that really sucks.

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22 MyStarbucks November 20, 2007 at 11:21 am

I had mastitis too with my third child. My husband was out of town, I was in the middle of packing for a move, my two boys were bouncing off the walls, and my daughter was about 1 month old. I was so miserable, I had to call a friend to go pick up my drugs for me. I had no furniture to sit on and I just sat in the middle of the living room floor, nursing and crying.
Ahhhhh, memories.
Glad you are feeling better!

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23 Stephanie November 20, 2007 at 11:35 am

Oh, I’m so sorry! I’m glad to hear that you’re on the mend.

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24 Alicia Quarles November 20, 2007 at 11:43 am

Yikes! Mastitis can definately take it out of you. Make sure to take t easy and nurse, nurse, nurse as much as you can! Hope you feel better soon!

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25 Laura November 20, 2007 at 11:50 am

I don’t do this meme, but I wanted to leave you a note of encouragement anyway. I had mastitis after the birth of my children and I remember how painful it was.

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26 Deb - Mom of 3 Girls November 20, 2007 at 11:53 am

Oh no – I’ve had mastitis a couple of times and it is no fun at all. I hope you are feeling better soon and getting lots of rest with that beautiful baby girl!

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27 celeste November 20, 2007 at 12:14 pm

When my goat got it I would also put a warm towel on her. Bag balm was a blessing. Surely they have something like that for humans! I do hope yopu are doing better soon.

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28 Kathie November 20, 2007 at 12:38 pm

I certainly hope you are feeling much better. I breast fed all four of my children. I know how agonizing it can be. Really enjoyed visiting your blog this morning.
Blessings from Costa Rica,
Kathie

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29 Shera ~ A Frog In My Soup November 20, 2007 at 12:41 pm

My first experience with mastitis was with our second son. I hadn’t had even a hint of it with our first, so when I went from feeling fine to feeling exactly as you described within 2 short hours I had absolutely no clue what was going on!

Your description of “even my skin hurt” is so true – ugh!!!! I’m thinking of you and pray you have a quick recovery!

Blessings, Shera

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30 mama k November 20, 2007 at 12:47 pm

Oh ouch!
Hang in there and take care of yourself, mama!

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31 Becka November 20, 2007 at 12:54 pm

OUCH! Been there, still doing that with my 9 month old!! I am adjusting finally though, UGH!

I am tackling getting the house spotless before the out…err. in laws get here tomrrow! What joy…

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32 Danielle November 20, 2007 at 12:58 pm

Hope you feel better soon Janice! :)
~Danielle :)

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33 TCC November 20, 2007 at 1:00 pm

I’m sorry this is what you are tackling today. I never struggled with this but have had friends who did. Ouch!

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34 devildogwife November 20, 2007 at 3:12 pm

Oh, I’m so sorry you’ll dealing with this type of tackle. (((hugs)))

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35 Jennifer Tiszai November 20, 2007 at 3:23 pm

Ooh, I feel for you. I got mastitis whenever either of my two decreased their nursing. I agree that the hot bath and massage, plus lots of bed rest, helped the most. Take care of yourself and get some rest. It’s not fun at all.

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36 Lori November 20, 2007 at 5:23 pm

I’m so glad you are getting better. Mastitis is awful! I’ll never forget how terrible I felt when I had it. Take care of yourself and your sweet baby.

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37 FeeFiFoto November 20, 2007 at 9:10 pm

OUCH!! OUCH!! OUCH!! Glad to hear you’re on the mend.

ouch

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38 heather h November 20, 2007 at 10:07 pm

I would so go straight to the doctor for anything and everything they could give me, but I thought maybe something in this link might help you even further. http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/natural-treatments.html#mastitis

I’ve also heard numerous times applying a raw potato with the whitish inside to your nipple can unplug clogged ducts. Not sure if this is true, but maybe something to file away for future issues.

Hang in there. Yeouch!

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39 Jen November 21, 2007 at 12:43 am

I just wanted to leave a note. I definitely have compassion for you. I got this with both girls and does it HURT! Glad you are feeling better and here is to no more mastitis!

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40 stacie November 21, 2007 at 5:32 am

Oh, Owie! I’ve been there too. Probably not what you wish you were tackling.

Cat barf in the laundry room finally spurred me into action. Quality blogging, for sure.

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