Very well put, Michelle, and you are to be admired for being so willing to share what you have been through in an effort to ease someone else's path through similar circumstances.

I have often thought of writing a small pamphlet for surgeons/docs to pass out to women facing open heart surgery, things they don't think to tell the patient because women are in the minority when it comes to that kind of surgery. The psychologist and a couple of other docs have told me they think it would be a great help. With your example, I may be ready to do just that.

Proud to *know* you and glad today went well,

kat