I don't have the answer to the mastectomy question either. They did use staples on me for my hodgkins lymphoma and for my ovca hysterectomy though. And they were both fine and were not painful.
You are so strong, I admire your strength. I always think I couldn't go through that, and then I remember I already did! With my Hodgkins in 1992, OVCA in 2004 and a recurrance in 2006, I feel like I have had Cancer 3 times! And beat it 3 times! (although I am still on Chemo)
And it is so hard to watch someone you love go through this. My sister has a rare form of bladder cancer and is having a hard time of it. She has been so positive and strong this past year, she is unbelievable, it kills me to see her in such pain, but I get comfort in the fact that she gets comfort from me when I can answer her questions and calm her fears because I have been there and really understand how she feels.
She has gone as far as planning much of her funeral and putting it in writing and delivered it to someone at her parish so that the family will not have to decide what she would have wanted if and/or when that time does come. I don't know where she finds her strength.
