The hardest part is waiting. You will get information on the type of breast cancer you have, whether it is fed by hormones, HER2 positive or negative, what grade and stage, size and eventually whether lymph nodes are okay.

A test called the Oncotype (done if your cancer is a common type of hormonally responsive and HER2-) can determine whether you have chemo or not. It is done after surgery (and sometimes after biopsy).

I tried not to research TOO much before seeing what I was dealing with. I really liked the Mayo Clinic book because it gave all the essential info without being overwhelming.

While you wait, distraction can help: Netflix was my friend! Exercise. If you really need it, you can get some Ativan from doc (I got two pills) or take melatonin for sleep. Once you have a plan, you just kind of do it 🙂