Yolanda Taylor

Survivor

I was diagnosed with DCIS September 2023. I wish I could say I was surprised when I received the diagnosis, but I was not. I had my first lumpectomy when I was in college and another in recent years. Perhaps it was me being overly sensitive or simply in tune with my body, but I had noticed a “sensation” for quite some time in the exact location of my DCIS. I am currently cancer free after this third lumpectomy and radiation treatments. I chose to keep my spirits uplifted because as I was told by another survivor, if I had to have breast cancer, DCIS was the one to have. I consider myself fortunate. I am a firm believer in maintaining a positive outlook on life and not allowing my emotions to have me spiraling. I write poetry and express my thoughts and emotions through my poetry. The following poem was composed as a result of my diagnosis and treatment. I always introduce a poem with an applicable quote; “cancro” is cancer in Italian. Also, the idea of providing my cancer a name came from another friend who had a double mastectomy and is a role model cancer survivor. I have found the breast cancer community much larger than I ever imagined, empathetic and supportive.