[graciegirl]

I would like you to know, to relieve your mind, and for other women who may someday have a mastectomy that it is not as painful or as debilitating as you might think. And I mean right away, right after the surgery. They send you home after 24 hour with a drain or drains and they have to be emptied at intervals. You can do it yourself, I did. Not difficult. For some reason that part of the chest wall is not terribly uncomfortable to have sutured. It required very little pain medication for a very short time. It is not sensitive like the breast tissue. What is hard is not how your body feels but how you are worried and scared. That is what she needs a friend for. To bring her a puzzle or a CD of a good movie, call her and cheer her up, but only if you DON'T have hidden fears to pass on to her. Offer no advice. Just listen.

I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers and you too. I hope that I was not insensitive to you and that I listened. I know her problem is greater with a sick husband too. I hope you can find some answers that will put your mind at ease. Bless all of you.