Sentinal Node Mapping

I've done a little more research on the topic since I last posted. It's very interesting. This particular procedure has only been used on breast cancer patients since 1993. Before this, they would remove all of the lymph nodes under the arm. There are anywhere from 30-50 lymph nodes in the arm pits. Sounds quite painful to me. Anyway, with this new procedure, according to MD Anderson, they will inject a radioactive tracer around the tumor site. Then, during surgery the doctor will inject a blue dye around the tumor site. The lymph fluid will then carry the dye and tracer to the first lymph node or sentinal node. This is what the doctor will remove during surgery along with my lump. They will test the node for cancer. if there is no cancer present, then it has not spread through my lymph system (that's good), if there is even a miniscule amount present, most likely chemo will be necessary. I'm sure I will be pretty sore, but at least the lump will be gone and we'll find out if more treatment is necessary. If it is, then so be it. I'll deal with it like I've done the lump. We'll get rid of it.

My favorite biblical story is of footprints in the sand:

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:

"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

God is carrying me now as He has so many times before. He will be with me tomorrow and always. I've told several people about my intent to have footprints tattooed around my wrist, with a cross and the words "He carries me." It was only a thought before. I may change what it looks like, but I have every intention of getting something like it or just like it after I've gone through this ordeal.