My name is Taurus Dotson. I am a 11 year survivor as of May 28, 2024. I give my diagnosed date and surgery date (August 7) the anniversary of 11 years as well.

I was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer in May of 2023. Confused and fear set in quickly.

I went straight into information overload as I knew nothing about stages of cancer. I was told from the results of my very first mammogram. After breaking the news to my family which has been my major support as I had a 3 year old son at the time of finding out. I went back to my next doctor's appointment at Grady where we set a date for surgery. I wanted a last great outing before being down for a while. So my doctor suggested it be after the 4th of July. So August 1st was the D-day to change my life. We decided I would have a tram procedure where your stomach tissues are used to rebuild your breast after deciding to have a mastectomy instead of a suggested lumpectomy.

The surgery was a success. Eight hours and I was walking the next day. One of my close friends was able to come to town to help take care of me as my Mom was still working. After being released after 3 days maybe 4 I was to come back in two weeks for a check up and to get my drain tubes out. Making the appointment was a lot. The breast Clinic in Grady was on the 9th floor on the opposite side of the hospital from the parking lot. We had to get a wheelchair, I was way too weak to make that walk and my Mom/friend were too nervous to leave me alone. Finally getting to the appointment and getting the drains out felt like I was on  my way back to a normal life. Had to get paperwork for a temp handicap car sticker. Hopefully the next appointment would go smoother.

Little did I know it was going to get worse before getting better. I was home for a week and my high school friend that is an RN came to visit and saw my incision and was not happy with the look.  I contracted an infection. Had to wait over the weekend in order to get back to the doctor and was admitted to the hospital again. Several surgeries began. 

I was in the hospital for 5 days and it wasn't easy to treat the infection because I had something called the big bug along with other types of infections. After about 5 trips to the OR they decided I needed a womb vac on my abdomen and the rebuilt breast. I was released with this machine with two open wombs. I was afraid and did not want my 3 year old to see me this way. Little did I know he needed to see me as much as I needed to see him. He ended up being my best company and kept me fighting. I was in bed for the next 4 months. I was not sewn back up so had to heal from the inside out. A Lot of praying, resting and medication took place.