>Fiona,
  I totally agree with Catherine Watson Genna's comments on the recurrent
plug issue.  I would only add that it is very important that these women
get a very careful breast exam.  I recently had a woman like this. She had
a breast mass in the vicinity of the recurrent full/plugged area.  It felt
benign, but I called her breast surgeon of choice, and explained the
situation.  He did a needle biopsy, which was benign, and subsequently her
recurrent plugs disappeared!  I also want to add that if your mom is soon
to be traveling, she is at much greater risk of plugs, due to all her daily
routine changes.

                                        Anne Eglash, MD