Just Diagnosed - What should I have been told??

The most frustrating and scary time is when you know the least.  I guarantee you that you will know everything there is to know within a month.  I'll also make another prediction, you'll be surprised how much there is that the docs don't really know, that is still a matter of conjecture and is beyond the realm of modern medicine.  But, the bottom line to all of it is:  "you'll be fine".  And you will.  I'm not defending what the OB/GYN said, but I understand why she said it. 

I was given my biopsy results by one of the radiologists in the practice that did my biopsy.  He gave me his opinion, which proved true, about what my treatment would be.  He also made sure I knew of a surgeon to see.  My primary care doctor also had me schedule an appointment where she talked with me.  A nurse navigator connected with the breast center where my biopsy was done contacted me to see if I had questions or needed help scheduling an appointment with the surgeon.  

I think, from reading on this site, that there are many different ways that people are informed of their results.  Waiting for information and appointments is stressful.  I feel I was lucky to have a nurse navigator because I could call her with questions, and she would take as much time as I needed answering them.  She was able to interpret my biopsy report ... I had gotten a copy of it.

when I had my biopsies done the radiologist told me his opinion and two days later he called and said yes it was what I thought its cancer your primary care will call u thanks and have a good day..that was in a nut shell...after that it has been a world wind of more test mri genetics and on my mri they told me I have to go back in as they found another tumor and have to have a mri guided biopsy..but im not to sure why cause I met with my surgeon and we already agreed on a mastectomy on that breast....but ine day at a time...deal with what  you have in front of you today not what may be....were all here for u...

Your breast biopsy performed by the radiologist is the first step.  You will see a surgeon who will give you their opinion on your surgical options and what they think is best.  Once you have your surgery and the mass is removed, that  pathology report will guide your treatment plan.  You will be fine......you have done everything that you could do correctly. Now the science comes into the picture...

There is no one way that all are told the path. results.  Different Drs are different, just as we are and our DX.

Basically, the biopsy path. report will tell what type of BC is present.  It does not 'tell' everything - the Stage can be estimated, if nodes are also biopsied, and the one(s) checked,come back positive, then it is known that there is node involvement.  The path. report post surgery will basically tell 'all' as the entire area removed will be checked - not just the small area examined from biopsy tissue.  My DX remained the same as it had been from the FNB (Fine Needle Biopsy).  It is possible to get a different DX after surgery for some though.

The information on the biopsy path. report will guide the surgeon in what is the TX plan.  If may be that you will be referred to a Chemo and/or Rads Drs first before any surgery but you may not be.  In some case neoadjuvant chemo (chemo before surgery to shrink and get better margins) is the TX plan (SOP for IBC but becoming more common for other types also).  There may/will be more scans and tests (CT/MRI/PET/bone, EKG/MUGA, etc.) ordered for further info about the extent of the cancer and your over all ability to handle the possible effects ot different TXs.

My biopsies and thus DX were from Fine Needle Biopsies.  Post surgery path showed the same DX.  

See you Dr for the,information,that appplies to YOU - not anyone else.  No one here can telll you what is going on with you - only your Dr(s) can.  We can give our personal experiences but no 2 of us have exactly the same experiences.  Ask and take,in everything but do not expect to experience everything/anything someone else may have.

Write down alll the questions/concerns you have.  I find it often helps to make a second copy and give it to the Dr.  That way he/she can often cover a couple of the concerns that are related at he same time.  If while he/she is explaining, another question comes up, make a quick note and ask it before you leave.  Recording what is said (if allowed) is a good idea - if you later are not sure what was said (even with good notes), you can relisten to the exact words used.