what questions should I ask?

The first decision most women face is whether to get a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Recommended treatment will depend on that decision and on the characteristics of your tumor. You can learn a lot from reading the profiles that show up when most women post. I knew exactly what would be recommended for me before I met with my MO because I'd spent quite a bit of time on this site.

Let me start by saying that I think dr's should hand you a prescription for anti anxiety meds the same time you discover the lump. Until you get your treatment plan your mind just goes to too many scary places. Don't be afraid to ask for a prescription to get you through to surgery.

Your appointment should be a teaching appt, kind of like breast cancer 101. My appt lasted 2 hrs and my dr even drew me pictures. The dr will discuss treatment options and what they recommend. If they recommend lumpectomy/radiation you can choose that or a mastectomy, either one side or both. If that's what you choose then it's also your choice whether you want reconstruction or not. You don't have to rush your decision, surgery isn't usually an emergency.

Your dr probably will cover any question you could think of but be sure you understand the basics - the kind of cancer, a guess at the size, the grade, whether it's hormone and Her2 positive or negative, if they think lymph nodes are involved. Ask your dr if genetic testing should be done. I also had a screening breast MRI. Have you had one? Best to leave no stone unturned.

I know this is incredibly overwhelming but you'll be on the path to healing in no time.

Sending hugs, Lucky

My surgeon tuned to me after my biopsy and asked what he could do for me. I told him I thought I would have to have zanax for the wait on pathology .He turned to his nurse and told her to call my pharmacy so I could pick it up when I got home. That was a Thursday and he left for vacation the next day. My report came in that following Monday and he called me from Disney world in Florida on his wife's cell and talked to me about my path. His kind face is forever burned into my memory. Tell the doctor what you need!!!!

I agree with the cancer 101 appointment should be first and almost right away if possible. There is such a long wait time for everything. I can see this community will be somewhere I am at regularl

Dani, so glad to hear your appointment went well. The most important part of this whole thing is having a dr you trust.

It might be a good idea to take one of those anti anxiety meds before the MRI. The sound really did me in so when I had to have the MRI biospy I took a Xanax and it made a world of difference. Just be sure you have someone who can drive you home

I've had about 6 or 7 MRI's and I always take a xanax ahead of time. I have claustrophobia and the noises are really loud in those MRI machines. I've had an mri of the brain (they thought I had MS), cervical spine (2x), lumbar spine (2x), abdominal w/contrast and breast mri w/contrast. I wouldn't be able to tolerate being in those machines for an hour without an anti-anxiety medication ahead of time. I take it about half an hour before the test. Also, the higher Tesla machines (3T) can make you feel disoriented due to having a bigger magnet. Some people are also affected by gadolinium. I'm supposed to have another mri sometime next year.

I always have someone come with me for these tests so I don't have to drive.