Back in 2015, I was 5 days postpartum with my daughter after being discharged from the hospital where I gave birth. I wanted to breastfeed so bad but did not have support within my circle of family or friends. It was a Friday morning and my first Lactation Support Group meeting with Nancy Feldenkris as the Lactation Consultant. I was coming because just the day before my milk could come in and I did not have a good latch. Little did I know that the bad latch had actually caused what I lovingly refer to as the Grand Canyon in my left nipple. It was also my first time alone with my daughter and driving for the first time after giving birth so I was very scared. I entered a room full of other mothers and their little babies. I did not know what to do but I knew I needed help.

As the group was starting and the mothers were beginning to tell their stories I looked around the room for help. Recognizing I was seeking support, Nancy came over to me and asked if I needed help. Through quiet tears, I responded yes. I was trying to nurse my baby on that left side and had so much pain. The group went quiet and Nancy asked are you having pain? And I cried out yes. She asked if she could assist me. I said yes. She gave me several helpful tips and the pain greatly improved.

I returned to work as a Nurse after 11 weeks. I was able to pump for my baby at work and then breastfeed while at home due to her advice and expertise. Throughout that time and through her support group, I continued to receive excellent advice for working, pumping, and mothering. When my breastfeeding journey came to a close, I gave Nancy white roses to signify each month that I was able to breastfeed my child. I went on to successfully breastfeed for 15 months with her help and support. I was sad when that journey ended not only because the experience was over but because I would not be seeing Nancy anymore.

When my husband and I discussed having another child I was excited for so many reasons but also excited because I would be able to go to support group again. Not only was this a support group for me for breastfeeding but for my motherhood journey in general. As a new Mom, I found the experience very isolating and lonely. So, I looked forward to the day when I would once again have the camaraderie with other Mothers in their journeys and mine.

Then In 2019, we welcomed our second daughter into our family. It was such a joyous event and I was so excited to see Nancy again and to once again rely on her expertise to assist me. Everyone says that with the second child things are not the same and boy were those people right. Every breastfeeding problem and feeding issue under the sun I have now experienced between my first and my second baby. I was so concerned about getting another Grand Canyon this time around. I luckily didn't experience that but I did experience a multitude of new problems. All of which Nancy was right there to see me through. Nancy has a gentle way of speaking. She gave excellent advice and directed to me seek the assistance of other practitioners when my problems became out of her scope of practice.

Throughout the COVID 19 pandemic, Nancy is continuing her work by doing virtual Support Group Meetings instead of in person. This ability to adapt and pivot is also another wonderful example of Nancy’s abilities as a nurse and professional. She continues to be there to answer questions and provide a community in these strange times to Mothers who need her most.

I truly believe that if it were not for Nancy's help I would not have breastfed as long with my first. Nor would I have looked forward to breastfeeding my second. I now have a thriving 5-year-old daughter and a 2 1/2-year-old daughter. They are both happy, and healthy and so am I. So thank you Nancy for everything. For your kindness, your Grand Canyon healing, tongue tie soothing, your lactation expertise, and your nursing abilities. On behalf of myself and the many hundreds of women that you have helped over your years as a nurse, thank you!