Well, I had good news tonight!
My mother emailed me. She went in for the chemo today and as they were getting started, her doctor came in with more results. Initially they thought it was lymphatic lymphoma. But it turns out to be restricted to the breast tissue and is more treatable. So they're going to do just the chemo and the radiation (wahoo, no mastectomy!). The doctor says she's had 4 patients with the same kind of cancer as my mom, they've been doing well for as long as 11 years.
I think it was maryb that said something about not having the inconvenience of breasts anymore (and I have found them pretty inconvenient). I said that to my mom in a joke, meaning to be supportive, and she started to pick a fight with me -- all I've had to do for years was mention height, weight or breasts and it was on (my mother thinks I hold it against for some medical decisions she made for me when I was a kid). But I figure if she was feeling well enough to want to quarrel she was doing okay.
At least she hasn't shown any signs of divvying up the jewelry. :)