Bloop,
Are you being treated at a major Cancer Center such as the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix? If not you should consider being seen by one - at least for a second opinion and their review of your proposed treatment plan, facility and doctors.

I recommend you ask questions now about your treatment plan including the upcoming ND. Is it necessary and why, what kind of ND are they planning, probable short and long term side effects, etc...

These days many people having chemo/radiation can avoid needing a ND. The chemo can adequately shrink the cancerous lymph nodes so that the radiation is effective.

Other times a ND might be required due to the size or location of the affected node(s) and need to assess advanced staging for treatment planning (such as extra-capsular invasive spread), but a 'Selective' ND where only cancerous nodes and surrounding tissues are excised is often adequate with less side effects.