Although undergoing surgery is a largely passive experience, you can use the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to help your body through the process.

Because your body's energy fluctuates according to nature's cycles, the time at which you undergo surgery has particular importance in TCM. It's best to schedule your surgery for the time at which you were born. This is when your body's energy is at its peak each day. If you don't know exactly when you were born, then schedule treatments for the morning, when your energy is naturally rising. Other good times to undergo surgery are the day before and the day of a full moon.

On the day of your surgery, do your best to remain peaceful and to keep your emotions as even as possible. This is, of course, easier said than done. However, the more calm and peaceful you are, the less energy you are expending, and the more energy your body will have to heal. Eliminate everything and everyone who does not support your peace and serenity at this point.

As the surgery begins, take slow, deep breaths. Concentrate on your navel, and continue doing so as the anesthesia begins to take effect. Focusing your attention on this special point directs your Qi inward, helping you conserve it.

After surgery, there will be many demands on your mental, emotional, and physical energies. If at all possible, take a few days to recover before beginning chemotherapy and radiation to give your body the chance to rebalance itself. Try to eat the recommended foods for breast-cancer prevention. Practice qigong at least twice a day.

It is essential at this point to rest, rest, rest . . . and rest some more. You may be tempted to start working again, to "get back in the game." But give yourself as much time as you feel you need to rest. This can be a difficult choice to make in Western society. Rarely is resting seen as productive, yet nothing could be further from the truth, especially when it comes to healing the body. Simply resting is one of the easiest and best ways to preserve and build up your healing energy.