Thank you all so much for your replies. My sister tends to block people out when she is going through anything and I know next week is going to be so difficult for her. Christmas is her favourite time of year and she so wants to be up and about for it. At this stage we are really praying for 'best case scenario' which will be that once he opens her and takes out the glands they will not be cancerous. Her biggest fear right now is that they will take the muscle from her neck and that she will end up with her head resting on her shoulder and that the nerves leading to her lip & tongue will be affected too. I will keep you updated. I know that it is my sister going through all of this but I am finding it very difficult not to be angry and bitter and jealous of people who are not going through anything like this and who are looking forward to a nice normal Christmas. Is that so wrong of me.