Consult with a surgeon this week... What can I expect?

AutismMamma

Back in July I found a lumpy area on my left breast. I went to the dr. that day to get it checked out.

About a week later, I went in for a mammogram and ultrasound. The results of that were negative, and the radiologist recommended an MRI. It took weeks to get the MRI approved by my insurance company and I had the MRI last week.

The next morning, my dr. called me and said the results were back. My left breast has a suspicious mass, the shape and structure is what is typically seen in malignancy. Birads 5. I need a punch biopsy.

Additionally there were areas of concern in my right breast as well, in the same location as the mass in my left breast. This was given a Birads 4, and the recommendation from the radiologist was an ultrasound, and if the ultrasound is negative, then they want an MRI-guided biopsy.

I got these results on Friday. In speaking to my doctor, he was pretty candid with me. He's been my doctor for 15 years. He said that he's concerned, and he would be surprised if the biopsy was benign. He said the reason for the punch biopsy is because up to this point, everything is pointing to IBC, and the punch biopsy is the best way to see that. He said he wants me to get this done as quickly as possible because, while breast cancer is very treatable, IBC tends to be very aggressive. Since this has already been ongoing since July, I tend to agree. But, then, I did a little research on IBC and it seems like the symptoms progress much more rapidly than they have with me.. I literally woke up one day with a dimpling and lumpy skin change. But in the 2 months since then, it's not changed a whole lot. It's gotten bigger. This abnormal area has doubled in size. But I see stories where people wake up one morning and their entire breast is red or itchy or doubled in size. That's not my experience. I have had some itching in both breasts, near the nipple, off and on, and a small amount of discharge. But I feel like if it was IBC, I'd have more changes by now, no?

I have an appointment on Wednesday at the breast center for a consult, and then they will schedule the biopsy and ultrasound. I guess I'm wondering what to expect from here. I will meet with a surgeon, and then they schedule the biopsy? How long does this take? How long until I get results? How long before I can just put this behind me and not think about it anymore?