Breast cancer patient dances before double mastectomy

ATLANTA — Doreta Norris is the picture of inspiration.

In November 2013, doctors at Piedmont Henry Hospital noticed a "worrisome spot" on her right breast during a mammogram.

A biopsy later revealed Norris, 52, had breast cancer.

Her surgeon, Scott Timbert, M.D., recommended removing her right breast. Norris opted to have a double mastectomy, in fear of finding cancer later in her left breast.

There was something she had to do first.

In the airport after visiting her mother-in-law, Norris saw a video of a patient dancing with her operating team before undergoing her own double mastectomy. The video inspired her to do the same thing.

On the morning of her surgery at Piedmont Henry, Norris told her nurse, Brooke Galimore, that she wanted to dance. Galimore didn't even hesitate.

When Norris stepped out of her hospital room she found doctors lining the halls. Music was blasting. She started dancing.

"I stepped out of my room and found hospital staff and doctors lining both sides of the hall," said Norris. "I heard the music playing and began to dance. It was an emotional dance. Staff came up to hug me, dance with me and give me words of encouragement. I truly felt like I could conquer the world."

Norris is now cancer-free. And although she is still too weak to dance, she knows she will dance again.