A good place for learning is the following site:
http://www.breastcancer.org/
Another good site is: http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/Diagnosis.html
Click on the blue and you'll get a new screen....go on from there.
There will be a LOT of tests done before any real decisions are made. At that point, bring a note pad & pen, plus either a good friend or spouse along to be that extra 'pair of ears'. There will be points during the diagnosis and discussions about what to do next where your brain just mite 'shut off'. Between your 'notes' and your extra 'ears', you'll have time to asorb all the info assaulting you. Be sure also? That you trust your docs [surgeon & oncologist] and better yet, like or respect them as well...that makes it easier to ask all those important questions often unasked.
At this point gloss over all the sub-stages and just get the basics, but don't really panic until all those tests [and there are many] are in! Then you can cram your brain full of facts and info and not with info you really don't need to know about.
I hope that you come in at stage 1, as I did! I was very lucky with the timing of THAT doc's appointment. Please don't be shy about asking questions and be patient w/us all. 's!!!!!!!!!!! - j