what should i expect?

I would also encourage you to get copies of all reports and paperwork concerning your diagnosis and build a binder.  I have referred back to mine many times over the course of treatment for informational and insurance purposes.  If you don't have someone to go with you to your appointment it can be helpful to take a handheld recorder of some type to record the appointment.  It gives you something to refer back to later, you can listen again to the questions/answers - sometimes that can provide some clarity if there is something you missed or forgot.  Good luck!

Hi Jen...we all feel your anxiety. We have the monopoly on the fear factor. This is a great forum to bring your concerns and questions. It was and still is my lifeline. I like the questions Peggy posed and totally agree with SpecialK...take someone with you if you can. You will be inundated with information. My sister in law advised me to do that and I am so glad I did. Its hard to focus on anything but your DX so to expect to ingest more information if expecting way too much. My husband asked questions I didnt think of. All I wanted to know was whats the worst it could be and the best I can hope for. I did do my homework before I went...looking up definitions, etc. but that can be problemmatical because we all know the internet isnt, and shouldnt be, the go to place for information. Try and relax - hard to do and realize whatever happens it isnt the death sentence anymore. Keep us posted and we will keep you in our prayers. diane

jen - they wont stage you, or give you a definitive pathology report, until after the surgery.  Are you considering reconstruction?  Have you had a plastic surgery consult yet? 

Most of us who have chosen non-flap reconstruction have had tissue expanders placed during the mastectomy surgery if implant reconstruction is what was chosen.  This type of surgery is done with a breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon simultaneously.  If you are considering an autologous reconstruction (one of several types of flap type of reconstructive surgery using your own tissue) this can be done later, and sometimes an expander is placed at the time of mastectomy, but you may want to discuss this prior to your first surgery.  This question is not meant as a criticism but may I ask why you are moving to surgery so quickly without any consideration about whether or not you may want reconstruction now or later?  There are future surgical considerations that really should be discussed, and surgical decisions that may need to be made prior to this first surgery, if you do wish to have reconstruction.

jen, there are several sets of questions at the main Breastcancer.org site that can help you know what to ask to get the information you'll need:

• Your Diagnosis: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
• Questions to Ask Your Surgeon About Mastectomy
• Questions to Ask Your Surgeon About Breast Reconstruction

Have you had any other tests besides the biopsy? Many of us had ultrasounds or pre-op MRIs that helped provide a bigger picture as to what we were dealing with. That also helped me prepare for my meetings with the surgeon and what type of questions to ask. My breast surgeon made me see a plastic surgeon so I would know all my reconstruction options (that was even before I had decided on a bilateral mastectomy). While I agree that it is great they want to take it out quickly, it might be helpful to see if you can schedule a second opinion if possible. If your doctor is able to tell you it's IDC I'd push for a copy of whatever report at least that they are getting this information from.