The fast track to mastitis

Need to get sick in a hurry with fever, chills and body aches? And a boob that looks land feels like it has golf balls (plural) inside it? Maybe it's an event you're dreading or an awful meeting at work. Can you get out jury duty with this excuse? Whatever the case may be, dehydrate yourself as completely as possible over two consecutive days by running in the late August heat, then fail to adequately rehydrate, but still nurse your large 17-month-old as usual. When you wake up to a lopsided chest that reminds you of something from aliens, don't wait to take some ibuprofen like I did. It WILL start hurting. A simple plugged duct (or several) is one thing, even if it consists of half the available ducts on that side, but this case of mastitis is a whole different ballgame. I tried pumping, nursing, hot compresses, a soapy wide toothed comb (doesn't hurt as badly as you'd think), and massage (hurts worse than you'd think), all to no avail. I was so tired that I fell asleep with Hunter for his nap and woke up to fever. Redness + fever + wanting to cry picking toddler up = husband bringing home antibiotics and supper. This case is a booger, but at least it got me out of my 14x400m workout.