I had a simple mastectomy 3/13 for a large cancer. I am only 56, relatively healthy. My surgery was an outpatient procedure but they wanted me to spend a night in the hospital for observation. I walked around the hospital floor so much they talked the surgeon into letting me go home. I probably could have driven myself home but they of course wouldn't let me. I only took
6 pain pills. I guess I am a complicated person too, but that independence felt so good. I've been reading blogs about chemo, and I think I am going to have some rough times. There are so many ways that you can support your friend now by just being there and in the future however it comes out. Cancer is such an unknown in your life and you must be very special to her. Just hang in there with her. I am a hospice nurse, so cancer in the end stages is very familiar to me. The saddest cases are the ones who die alone. Hopefully your friend will be a survivor.