Hi @bevvzy, on the morning of my mastectomy I was put into a gown and injected with a radioactive dye around the tumour while lying down. An ultrasound is used to guide. The procedure only takes 5-10 minutes and is just a little sting. I was then asked to wait for an hour, massaging my breast to get the dye moving. (this bit can take longer, we are all different) The idea is that the dye will travel to various lymph nodes the tumour drains into. I was then put into an MRI type machine which picked up all the nodes effected by the dye. Just because a node is reacting to the dye does not mean it has cancer in it. I was covered in crosses all around my armpit and my nodes were all clear.
my surgeon did another dye test while I was having surgery (this dye is blue) which further showed up the nodes. I still have 3 blue stains on my breast after 7 months!
The waiting is so difficult bevvzy, it really does feel better once you have your results and a plan of attack. Hang in there, we are all behind you.
Jane xx