[mekasan]

Lymph system

It is my understanding that the sentinel node is the name of the first node in the chain of lymph nodes the fall in the lymphatic system at the point where your breast meets your arm pit. We have clusters of nodes primarily where out limbs and neck leave or torso's and then there are several more down each limb. Everyone is different.

The dye in my case, was injected into the nipple - be prepared for about 30 long seconds of stinging. It hurts less if you know its coming. I had no idea when she did it the first time and man did it hurt. The second one hurt, but I was ready for it and it was not as bad

The idea is for the dye to travel through the lymphatic system and stain the lymph nodes as it passes. It does not matter where the tumor is. Everyone has a lymphatic system. It collects germs and foreign material in our systems channels it into the nodes... that is why our lymph nodes in our through swell when we get a sore throat. The node in the neck are closest to the infection.

After the dye is injected, I had to sit under an xray machine and wait for it to travel. At that point when nodes lit up as they collected and stored larger amounts of the radioactive dye, the doctor then marked where the first node cluster was, then the second, and third, until they were satisfied.

The dye is radioactive. Why could you not have rad? Is there a connection at all btw you not recieving radiation and not being offered a radioactive dye? (just a thought).

Which Arm?
I had 1 node from my left and two from my right taken. Left was done first, so I always used my right. After my right side was operated on, my onc said I could use my left for blood work and pressure, b/c risk of only having 1 node = lymphedema is not high. I am right handed so I like them to use my left.
I have had no problems at all. I began using my left side for herceptin in March 06 and continues every three week with IV stick, pressure, etc on the left until 12/06 withone one problem.

Two Surgeries - I was told to spaee them 3 weeks apart
please check with your doctor about how long to wait btw surgeries. I once scheduled two surgeries a week a part with two different doctors. I informed them both through their assistants. Neither got back to me so I thought it was ok, since both recoveries would be 2-3 days.

Then my plastic surgeon explained that it is not that simple. Even though you feel fine to move about, the body is still healing. When operating again, bacteria may be introduced that normally would not be a problem. However, since you will have a "weak spot" from the previous surgery, that site could become adversely affected by germs introduced during the second process. He told me to wait three weeks in order to prevent any complications.


It sounds to me like you would like the node checked, but your doctor's opinion is preventing this from happening. I know that you do not need a tumor to have it done. I know that my doctor informed me she would be doing it, before I even asked her to. I know that not all doctors are the same. If I were you, and I know this is a huge inconvenience on so many levels, but I would seek a second opinion. AND I would begin by informing my current onc that I was doing so out of a courtesy so he knows what happening when another doc calls for the records (esp if you decide to stay with the one you are with).