"I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black" -- Nirvana

talked to my mom last week (instant messenger online because it's easier to say things that way) and asked her if she had been in touch with support groups to talk with other women who have been through this surgery. She said she called a couple but didn't like the people she talked to (she's so like me) . However, she has been in contact with the wife of one of my dad's racing buddies who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and has been through chemo as well as another friends' wife who had breast cancer 20 years ago.

I also told her that she needed to stay positive because being down wasn't going to help her heal any faster and that she HAD to look forward to a better day. Nothing in life is guaranteed, but moping about it wasn't going to change anything. She told me she was sorry & that she didn't want this to be my burden -- thanks mom, toss in a little guilt while you are at it... '

Blood, guts and whatnot don't usually bother me. But I am afraid I am going to have a hard time handling her medical needs/cleaning shunts/changing bandages etc.. when I am there after the surgery. The scary part is that my dad passes out at the first sight of blood and I have NO idea how he is going to handle caring for her when I leave.