Recovering from a mastectomy

My grandmother has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.  She has had a biopsy and discovered she must have further treatment.  Her choices are either a mastectomy (with removal of the lymph nodes) or a lumpectomy and radiation.  My grandmother is 80 years old and in very good health.  She is leaning towards the mastectomy, but is weary of the recovery from such a surgery.  What is involved in the recovery from a mastectomy and how difficult is it?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Twanda:  The decision between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy is usually a personal one.  A mastectomy is still considered a major surgery but recovery is often very tolerable, even for those who are up in years.  Her doctor could enlighten you on his/her specific protocol for recovery.  In my experience, many older women have opted for mastectomy over lumpectomy.  Their rationale is that they do not feel they