Thank you for such a helpful reply. It helps to know realistically what to expect. My surgeon kind of described things in broad terms and made it sound not so bad. Today I saw my nurse navigator who told a very different story about the extent of the surgery. I came away a little gobsmacked but I think the surgeon just underplayed it because his perspective is what HE has to do. What you said is more in line with what the nurse told me. And I am so sorry your cancer is back and you have to go through it all again. I wish for you strength, peace and love.