Heart Failure to Transplant: A Rough Night

I posted the following on my CaringBridge journal late in the evening of Nov 8, 2014:

I'm having trouble pumping and my milk is backing up, causing me to be painfully engorged.

They gave me Tylenol, and I tried taking a warm shower aimed across my back and shoulders to attempt to relax me and get the milk flowing, but there are no substitutes for my little boys.

As a result of my attempts to pump in awkward positions, I have a bit of a backache.

As a result of my discomfort, I am feeling restless. I'm also a little anxious about the possibility of developing mastitis.

Time alone has lost its charm. I could do with some company, but I'm also very tired and talking and even chatting on text wears me out.

There is one lactation consultant on call in the hospital and she has been putting me off all day.

Providentially, the floor manager is a nursing mother and has done everything she can to help me.


UPDATE: Early the next morning, Nov 9, 2014:

Last night was pretty rough. The lactation nurse finally came to talk to me, and she gave me some good tips on loosening the plugged ducts and pumping the most effectively.

After my shower, my heart rate went up. It stayed in the 80s when I was still, but if I moved around in bed or got up, it spiked up to 90s and 100s.

That's a normal heart rate for most people, but I tend to stay in the 50s to 70s normally. On top of that the beats were irregular and I could feel the palpitations.

At some point during the night, I woke up feeling overheated, and my left breast was very tight and painful.

I applied a warm compress as the lactation nurse advised in preparation for pumping, and immediately began sweat and to feel nauseated and lightheaded. Though there are signs saying not to get out of bed without assistance, I got up, removed my pajamas from over my hospital gown and rushed to the bathroom.

In the bathroom the nausea lightheadedness and sweating grew worse and I finally called the nurse. She scolded me for not calling her sooner while she patted my back through my dry heaves and vomiting.

Finally I was spent and she helped me back to bed. I started to feel better after sipping on 7up.

Based on that experience, I think the dehydration theory is probably correct...

I asked for cold packs, and slept for a few hours with some draped across my chest. When I woke up the swelling in my breast was much reduced, & I was able to drain them pretty well. I still have some residual soreness, so I'm still taking Tylenol to help treat that.

I'm going without Lasix today (they had already given it to me yesterday when we decided to try cutting it out). I feel pretty good right now, but not super hungry. I had a banana and am not sure if I want the boiled egg and cereal.