Breastfeeding problems

Well, I guess I should update you on the last few weeks.  I don't want to complain too much.  But in short, I have just been trying to survive for the past three weeks or so.  I had been having a lot of pain and problems with breastfeeding since she was born, but a few weeks ago it started to all get worse.  So I went to the OB/GYN and got a prescription to take care of a yeast infection (or more commonly known as thrush), and one to take care of a bacterial infection.  He didn't know what it was so he figured he'd just cover all his bases.  He even gave me a refill for the thrush medication.  But, neither worked.  So Holly, my mother-in-law, suggested using Lotromin (which is a cream that would help with thrush) and if that didn't work to try Gentian Violet (also for thrush).  After trying all four medications with no relief I was back in the OB/GYN's office.  They cultured the sores I had, gave me a prescription for a different cream, sent me to get blood work and an ultrasound done, and referred me to a breast surgeon.  After doing all the tests and running around trying to find a pharmacy that could actually make up the cream I was supposed to get, I finally just decided that maybe I should try pumping again.  I had tried it before but my sores would just bleed.  But I was desperate! Looking back, I think that that was Heavenly Father's way of giving me an answer.  I really didn't want to try it.  I had hated it the first few tries and I was struggling enough.  But it just kept coming back to me.  I don't know why or how, but it actually has slowly started to fix the problems.  I am SO relieved!  I'm still recovering, but I am tremendously better than I was.

I was talking to my mom about all the struggles I was having and also telling her how hard this job has ended up being for Brody and I just couldn't help but think back on why we'd come.  We knew it was the right thing for us to come out here, and despite questioning whether we should stay or not a time or two, we knew we still needed to be here.  But why?  I'm still not sure why, and I may never know.  But I am so grateful, despite a very difficult past few weeks, that I have Brody!  He is so supportive and helpful and he really is my best friend!  I couldn't have survived with a smile on my face without his help.  Now that things are starting to get a little better for the both of us, I have realized that the little things in life are what really bring us happiness.  A few minutes alone with Brody, a smile from Alydia, spending time together as a family... those are the things that matter.