29 April 2008

womens troubles and cabbage= gross


to answer your polite inquiry melissa,

(read no further if you dont want to read an "over-share" about my pain in weaning ambrose)

he hasnt nursed since sunday morning and it is going ok. not great and easy- but not my worst nightmare... except for my sore, huge, painful right breast. that's correct, just the right one (well, lefty hurts too, but is maintaining her original size at least). it was always the bigger one and now it is really big and giving me trouble- like a water balloon with rocks in it about to burst. i want to die. i cant even lift my right arm without wincing or hold ambrose. sorry if this is gross for anyone. actually im not sorry- misery loves company. i got so desperate today that i gave in to the rumor that cold cabbage soothes this sort of problem... i thought: "die or smell like cabbage?" and chose to smell like cabbage and you know what- it is actually helping a lot. hooray for produce.

17 comments:

Melissa said...

you seriously crack me up!:)

Sorry about the pain. I heard that when the pain and swelling get too unbearable during weaning, you can hand express just a little bit to take off the pressure. Not a lot though cause that will make it so your body makes more milk. I don't know if it really helps, but it's worth a shot if your still hurting.

Glad that cabbage is on your side. produce is our friend. Hopefully that will keep working for you.

How's ambrose doing during this process? Is he acting like he's taking it ok? Well thanks for the update and sorry about the long comment.

diana palmer said...

i think its a bummer that you are suffering so much when you did try to go gradually---the same happened to me, even the memory is painful. i think i endured for almost two weeks before i finally went to the doctor. they gave me an antibiotic because essentially i had mastitis. just a thought to consider.

boo face mcjones said...

first off, bless your little heart.

secondly, i don't know if you have tried, but my sister in law just did the cabbage thing and told me that cucmber melon lotion covers up the scent of cabbage quite nicely.

keep on keepin' on, friend.

Melissa said...

I was going to bring up mastitis too. If your achy and feverish with the pain than you have to go to the doctor and get antibiotics.

. said...

Mastitis I've heard of, cabbage I have not. Umm, what exactly do you do with the cabbage? I am getting some Eden-ish pictures in my mind, you with big cabbage leaves covering you swollen breast. Is that about right? I guess cabbage must be pretty amazing!

Emily said...

Oh, Steph. I know your pain, sista! The only thing I wanted to do was take hot showers to massage the pressure away! It's for the best.

Stephanie said...

bille- its just as you imagine and so much more! :)

thanks for all the well wishes friends- no mastistis- went to the doctor today and got some pain pills and the promise that this will go away. someday. hooray! :) she was also so delighted with the cabbage idea and said she was going to start recommending it to other patients!

Carrie said...

I had this when I weaned Banks cold turkey. I totally feel your pain. Wearing a tight sports bra really helped me, so I wore it all the time, even at night. As long as it was on the pain was bearable so maybe it would help you too. Good luck! Ouch.

Ali said...

It sounds like your larger lady friend may be infected with the wickedness that is mastitus.

If this is the case, as your doc to put you on antibiotics post haste.

I've been there, done that with cabbage. Mmmmm. ha ha ha

good luck!

The Prigmore Family said...

Steph! I feel your pain. Sounds like you have Mastitis aka Breast infection. I had 2 of them and they pretty much equal butt. You should go to doc, they put you on antibiotics and then it gets better. Ask for keflax. That works the best. If the ol boob is hot to the touch and hard that is most definitely a sign. May the force be with you my old friend. Hang in there!

Samye said...

We were just there last week!! It took two weeks and finally the girls have "returned" to normalcy. I too suggest a super tight sports bra...makes everything nice and tight. You will make it though... I promise!

J and Christy Brown family said...

I hear you I had been there and cabbage did work as so many other people say in here it will go away eventually.

stef j. said...

wowzers ... maybe gettting dehyrated and running out of milk (which is what happened with Addi) is totally the way to go. :)

Chris & Jackie Kontoes said...

Hey Stepahanie, I jumped onto you blog and am so happy that so many of your friends are worried about your boobies. It is so sweet and funny at the same time! Like Billie asked...what exactly do you do with the cabbage? I pictured you in a bath tub with floating cabbage leaves and Ice cubes? I dont know where I got the tub and Ice thing but that is what I first pictured. Anywho, we should hang and sew with Anna sometime...I am done with school next week! 386-8511 call me Righty! (in reference to you boob)

Stephanie said...

haha! lets sew for sure- i need help! :)

well, the cold cabbage just goes right against your skin under your clothes and feels so nice- relieves a world of pain!

modestmuse said...

I'm learning so much -- thanks for pioneering this whole process! I'm sorry you are in pain :( I hope it's better by the time you read this.

Audra said...

Wow, did realize it would be so painful :( I have heard good things about the cabbage. obviously they were true.