Advice for Upcoming Surgery

Marie wrote asking us to pray for her during her upcoming mastectomy. I put her in touch with Kathleen, who had had the same surgery a year before. Here is what Kathleen shared with Marie.
                                                --Ven. Chodron

Dear Marie,

Before my surgery (which went very well), Venerable told me that my job in the hospital was to be KIND to EVERYONE I met there.  I held that thought very close in my mind, and it took away a lot of my self-centered fear.  Also, Geshela Kelsang Damdul told me always to think of the cancer as only purification of past karma, not anything else.  That made it so I could meet it with a more positive attitude. Another helpful practice was doing Tonglen—the taking and giving meditation—for all those with cancer. In addition, I remembered Lama Zopa saying to think “This is NOT a problem.”  I now see that the cancer has really been an "enemy-friend”—a friend disguised as an enemy—helping me on the path. 

Much peace and healing to you. 

Kathleen