Liz,

I will be thinking about you and sending good thoughts your way.

I think you are in better hands with this dentist than Rob's. He seems very human to me in being concerned about your health and your emotional state. It is nice to me to read about a doctor/dentist who sees you as a person instead of just a symptom. Even though he sent you home for a couple hours, it sounds like he never stopped thinking about you. You're probably still in his thoughts today. (Mike, I'm not trying to disagree with you from a protocol standpoint...I'm just sharing my thoughts from a patient/personal perspective).

I'm sure he is being super cautious. Liz, wasn't it you who wrote to me when I was frustrated that both of my kids had to have CT scans for swollen lymph glands that you thought it always best to err on the side of extra procedures and over caution?

I think gut instinct is a powerful thing. I can feel your fear, but also your belief that this isn't cancer. Hold onto that belief as you go through the procedures.

I didn't think my kids lymph nodes were anything to worry about, although I did pick up on the doctors' fears. I went ahead with the procedures and all was well. I hated putting each of them through the ordeal, but in the end everyone had peace of mind.

It's an oft-repeated line but it worth repeating...it's not cancer until the biopsy says so. With that logic, right now you are cancer free. And, there's a good chance you will be cancer free after the biopsy too.

My you have had so much to deal with this year.

Many, many good thoughts to you my dear friend. Whatever the news, we will rejoice with you, we will support you, we will be here for you...just as you have been here for each of us through our times of joy and/or concern.