World Breastfeeding Week: Stories

As many mothers know there is nothing easy about breastfeeding. Those who embark on this journey face many challenges and emotional struggles. Yet, many mothers set all of those aside for the amazing bond and experience that breastfeeding brings.

This week, Aug 1 to Aug 7, we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. In order to celebrate mothers and honor their journey, I asked mothers in our surrounding town to share their stories.

In this first issue, I want to highlight Crystle Troiano’s breastfeeding journey.

She says:

“It was very stressful in the hospital. I didn’t even know if I was going to be able to breastfeed because I had/have a pituitary tumor. My tumor is on the breastfeeding side of my pituitary, so it was all up in the air.

I have had brain surgery on it twice.

The nurse was super rude and kept me at the pump every 20 minutes. Eventually it got very exhausting and I got very stressed. My husband told them to back off.

My daughter was 3 weeks early and my body was no where near ready to have her, but my health was declining so my endocrinologist thought it was time to get her out.

My milk didn’t come in for about a week. I was never ashamed in that.

My husband was super supportive. My daughter favored one boob for three months. I did pump the other one, thank goodness, because when I went to work she was amazed there were two; even though I showed her numerous times.

My job was really good at allowing me to pump for the year I was allowed to.

I ended up breastfeeding for two years. I gained 50+ lbs. My pituitary tumor came back because I breastfeed for so long and my health was declining. My daughter would have went on for much longer than two years but I had to end it for my health.

We have had three miscarriages since then. One being where I almost bled out. At this point we still hope to get pregnant.

My next round, since I do have an active pituitary/ brain tumor, I would definitely still breastfeed. I would probably only be able to do it for three months which absolutely kills me.

There is nothing like that bond. My daughter still sees me as an extension of herself and she’s eight.

One thing I wish I knew was just how emotional it can be. How judgemental people are. The worst actually being a women’s priest (in Danbury, not my church). And once it’s over, you miss it terribly.”