>>Then she went  right into a story about her friend who was so engorged that
the breast blew apart and needed stitches. I tried to ask creative questions
that would  give me more information, but she kept on insisting  that is what
happened.  [snip] I wonder what really happened?<<

Pat-
Perhaps her friend developed mastitis, and then an abscess which ruptured,
from the severe engorgement.  That was a good story to illustrate a) why
babies should be nursed frequently around the clock, and b) that a mother
should seek out help from a qualified lacation counselor *before* a situation
gets this bad!

-Lisa