Yahaira Lopez: A Courageous Battle with Stage Four Metastatic Breast Cancer and a Tale of Transformation

Join us on a heartfelt journey as we sit down with the remarkable Yahaira Lopez. Yahaira courageously shares her battle with stage four metastatic breast cancer, recounting her experiences from the first inkling that something was off, right through to chemotherapy. Her touching narrative underscores the vital importance of paying attention to our bodies and acting swiftly when something seems amiss. This is a story that will remind you of the critical importance of self-care.

The episode progresses with Yahaira exploring her transformative journey post-diagnosis. She boldly details her internal struggles, the shifting dynamics of her relationships, and her discovery of purpose amidst adversity. Brace yourself as she shares her life-altering experience at a spiritual retreat in Columbia – a unique experience that significantly shaped her perspective. Lopez’s inspiring tale of self-discovery and transformation is sure to leave you moved and awestruck.

As we wrap up, Yahaira highlights the essential role of connection and support. She recounts the invaluable bonds she formed with other breast cancer survivors and sheds light on how these relationships served as a beacon during her shocking journey. Lopez’s story not only exemplifies her strength but also serves as a rallying cry for us all to be more cognizant of our health and cultivate a robust support system in our lives. Don’t miss this heartening episode that’s brimming with hope, resilience, and fortitude.

Yahaira is helping to Change The World, One S.M.I.L.E. At A Time by helping to spread the word on the importance of self-care, knowing your body, and listening to it.
If you want to connect with Yahira you can find her best on Instagram.


Reach Out to Yahaira Lopez:

● Her Personal Instagram Page: Yahaira Lopez

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Hey there and welcome to Bust an Out of Breast Cancer, the podcast that educates and powers and inspires those impacted by breast cancer. I'm your host, Shannon Burroughs, a realtor who found her purpose at the intersection of passion and pain while navigating her own breast cancer journey and loves giving back to my community. Having worked with many breast cancer survivors and their families, I understand the challenges they face and the importance of raising awareness about this disease and bridging the gap between the medical and fitness industries. Join us as we share stories of survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals who are making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Our goal is to raise awareness, provide resources and create a community of support for those affected by this disease.

Speaker 1: 0:34

I have a mission of changing the world one smile at a time. So, whether you're a breast cancer survivor, a loved one, a friend or just interested in learning more, this podcast is for you. Let's bust out a breast cancer together and make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disease. Today we have a super special guest and her name is Yohara Lopez. She's probably going to pronounce it differently because she has the the accent to go with it, and I'm very not. I think I did a good job, though no, I think I think you did.

Speaker 1: 1:06

You have to work a little bit on it but you're getting there.

Speaker 1: 1:09

I know what do you say. That sounds so pretty. It's like I say, yohara Lopez, maybe you love the R-roll. Anyway, welcome. Thank you so much for being here. I'm so glad to have you on the podcast and so you can share your journey and your story with others that maybe they can relate. Maybe they just need that inspiration, that hope that they need to hear today, because you have a pretty spectacular story and we can talk about how we met and all the good things that have come along with your diagnosis, because when we get a diagnosis, it's a pretty shitty thing, but there are good things that do come along with it. We just have to wait and see what those things are. Right, yes, that's so true.

Speaker 2: 1:47

So welcome, thank you. Thank you for inviting me. I have never done a podcast. I love being the first. I think this is cool to be the first one. Again, I think we're here to chat and just tell you my journey and, if I can help others, that's the main idea of what we're doing right now, so I think that's super good.

Speaker 1: 2:12

So when were you diagnosed?

Speaker 2: 2:16

I was diagnosed last year on February and it was kind of, I think, like all of us, it gets us when we think we're really inspiring or just doing our lives and working and doing our things. I just came back from a trip I was in Spain. I came back, I started a new job. I was super happy with my new job and I was like I was feeling great. I was running four miles a day, I was doing my gym, I was doing my exercise. I was feeling great really and I started having a pain between, like in the middle of my two lungs, maybe under the breast, and I thought it was maybe something.

Speaker 1: 3:15

I ate something that Like indigestion kind of thing.

Speaker 2: 3:19

Something like that. Yeah, because the day before we went out to have a big lunch with my brother-in-law. So I was like you know what, I think I went over the top and I thought it wasn't digestion, so the pain continued. So you know, when we get those messages and it tells you, you know you should get checked, there's something that is off. We go through life getting those messages and we don't listen to them. But this time I did and I was like you know what? It was a Sunday and I was I thought I'm going to wait until Monday.

Speaker 2: 4:00

But then again, you know just, I was feeling off and I went to the emergency, got there, I got a scant note, I got an x-ray done, an x-ray done. They checked all my vitals. When they came back with the x-ray, they said they had a seat, they saw like a shadow in my liver. So I was like okay, that was. You know. That was like okay, they said that I had to stay at the hospital to get further exams. So you know, at that time I was like oh, maybe, you know, maybe it's, I don't know, like I don't know. You think so many things but really never. Really in a million years I never thought cancer Really. I was just, you know, maybe there's something and that can be solved. And they just want to check everything. So I was like, okay, I'll stay. I drove myself because I wasn't it was just that pain, but it wasn't that bad. But it was again. You know, it was something that it was telling me that I needed to get it checked. I call my lawyer-.

Speaker 1: 5:13

I always advocate and say you have got to listen to your body. You've got to listen to your body.

Speaker 2: 5:17

Oh my god, now. Now I completely, 100%, listen to my body, but I have to get to this you know to where I'm at to understand that and people don't listen to. You know, the body is just, I think, is just so perfect that it tells you you need to do this Right, and we start just doing things and we're like no, no, you know, I'm going to keep on with my life, I'm busy, I have to get to work, and but no, it really, it really is a, it's a perfect body. So I end up staying at the hospital. I call my husband and I told him you know, they said this I don't know what's going on. I'm, I'm staying in the hospital. So he was like so that's weird. Do you want me to?

Speaker 3: 6:01

go there.

Speaker 2: 6:02

I'm like you can come, you know, bring me some clothes. But I really don't know what's happening. You know, they just said that and I'm getting, I'm getting a scan early in the morning. So he was like, wow, okay.

Speaker 1: 6:16

So that's such an unsettling feeling.

Speaker 2: 6:19

Yes, I was going to say I couldn't sleep that night because I was just thinking. You know, I'm always this is something that I got from my grandmother. I grew up with my grandmother. My grandmother was like a really positive person, so I always tend to think positive. So I was like you know what, it's nothing big, I shouldn't be even worrying, I should sleep. But no, you know I couldn't.

Speaker 2: 6:46

So next morning I got a scan and they said that I had a tumor and that I had. No, it wasn't. They didn't mention tumor. They said they saw how do they call it? Like like they said something I don't remember right now, but like a weird body, like something there before body. Yeah, yes, they saw something there. So, and when they came back they said that it was like they saw, you know, something in my liver. I don't remember right now. So. So I was like okay, really.

Speaker 2: 7:32

But after that, again, it wasn't, it wasn't so clear, because it can be a lot of things. So after that they did other exams. I had to get a colonoscopy, I had to get an endoscopy, I had to get another scan. It was like you know, a bunch of tests that I had to get done until somebody came to say you know what we need to talk. But before that it was like I think it passed like two days of getting a lot of scan you know a test and doing a lot of exams and here in the hospital for two days.

Speaker 2: 8:09

Yeah, I'm sorry.

Speaker 1: 8:11

You were in the hospital for two days.

Speaker 2: 8:13

I was in the hospital for two days.

Speaker 1: 8:15

Me nor, like I thought I just had an ingestion.

Speaker 2: 8:19

Yeah, yeah, um, so then it's so. It's crazy because you know you get all this test done and nobody comes and tells you you know this, this is going on. Everything is like like you know, like like like hello, talk to me, yeah, and I'm like what's going on. But then, after, after those two days, the first visit I got was an oncologist. I was like whoa.

Speaker 1: 8:49

I was like whoa, okay where'd you come in the picture? Yeah, I was like okay, then Okay.

Speaker 2: 8:54

So so, yeah, this is, this is something else.

Speaker 1: 8:57

This escalated quickly.

Speaker 2: 8:59

Yep, yeah, uh huh. So he came in, um, um, you know, really charming doctor, that's a good part, you know. Just to put something positive.

Speaker 2: 9:12

Um. So he was like Hi, you know, this is um, this is my name, this is um, I'm doctor. I don't know if I can say names. Um, can I say, yeah, okay, his name is. His name is Dr Peles, he's from South Africa and he will. He grew up in Israel, so, um. So I was like okay, so you know what are you doing here? He's like because all the exams we have done, there's a possibility that that you know, it can be cancer.

Speaker 2: 9:48

So when he said that, I was like, okay, so, based on your experience, uh, this is cancer, because you know, again, it's still. You see somebody, you know somebody like that, get into the room, you know you want answers, so. So he was like you know what? I don't want to rush into things. I need for you to get, um, further exams. Uh, I need to. I need for you to get a CT scan now, um, just to know you know where we're standing, okay. So I was like, okay, we're getting a CT scan, but again, you know it's. It's that time when you feel something that you know, this is.

Speaker 2: 10:35

This is not that they want to do more exams because they want to make sure they know. They just want to know where, how they're going to proceed.

Speaker 1: 10:44

Right.

Speaker 2: 10:45

But, but you know, at that time I was like okay you know, this is it.

Speaker 2: 10:49

Um, and I was like in shock mode. Um, I continued to do what the doctor said, but really I was just thinking I'm dying. You know, this is it for me. I'm um, you know, this is the end of the road. That's immediately, shannon.

Speaker 2: 11:07

I didn't think okay, so we're going to fight, we're going to do this. I immediately I was like okay, you know what, you know, I'm going to do whatever they say, just, but really, to get out of the hospital and start planning of what I'm going to do, my I mean my last days, really, that's how I saw it. I was like you know what I? I mean, I was like, because I'm always that type of person that really does things and and completes things, and you know, and, and, and I have my plans and I have to do this and so and I took it that way I think it was like a surviving mode. So I was like okay, so I need to have this fixed, I have to do this, the papers, I have to leave. I was really thinking like that Meanwhile you didn't even have a diagnosis yet.

Speaker 2: 11:53

No, and I was already. You know I was. My husband came in and I told him and he was all like prying, sobbing. He was like, oh my God, and I'm like you know what it is, what it is. I even said that to him. I was like it is what it is. I need for us to start planning what we're going to do. And he was just looking at me at are you okay? You know what's wrong with you? Like you don't understand what's going on. I'm like, yeah, I understand. That's why we have to do things. Let's go right.

Speaker 1: 12:24

Three two, one, let's go.

Speaker 2: 12:26

He's like wait, you know I'm in shock, don't ask me to do things, because really right now I don't even know where I'm standing, I'm really off. So I was like okay, so that called me down because I was. I think I was requesting too much of him at that time. He was just trying.

Speaker 1: 12:47

Because you're the one who's been going through all these tests and all these things and you're the one talking to the doctor. This is the first he's been really part of it. Yes, yes.

Speaker 2: 12:53

So at the moment, he was like wait a minute.

Speaker 2: 12:59

Yeah, calm down because right now, and I cannot even think, so I'm like, okay, I understand. So he was like you know what? Just, you know, finish whatever you're doing that you need to do. Let's wait around the doctor. So I got the CT scan. The doctor came back and no, I got the CT scan and the next day this woman doctor comes in not the same oncologist, another oncologist and I was like because nobody came and said anything just to confirm 100% that I was diagnosed with cancer, that I was like, so when am I leaving? Because I already had all the exams? Can I go home? And she was like, no, you need to start chemo right away. And I'm like what? Yeah, you need to start chemo, like tomorrow. And I'm like wait a second.

Speaker 1: 13:54

We don't even have a diagnosis yet.

Speaker 2: 13:56

But you know, the doctor said that he wanted to do further exams for me, you know, to get a complete diagnosis. She was like, yeah, no, you know, it came back because they did a biopsy. They did a lot of things you know I'm not gonna go into that they did a lot of things. So she was like, yeah, no, it's confirmed, you have cancer and we need to start chemo immediately because, you know, we have to be really aggressive.

Speaker 1: 14:20

And what stage were you? Stage four, stage four. And you thought you just said indigestion. Thank God, you listened to your body, right?

Speaker 2: 14:27

Yes, yes, and stage four and it was metastic breast carcinoma. So you know, when she said that, I just I was like in shock and I was like, well, you know, nobody came in and said anything. You're the first person that comes. That's why I asked you when I was leaving. So she apologized, she was like you know, I'm sorry, I didn't know. You know, miscommunication, blah, blah, blah, blah, standard yeah. And I'm like, okay, okay, so what can I expect? And she said you know it's gonna be tough, but we need for you to do chemo right away.

Speaker 2: 15:12

So at that time the first person I thought of was my uncle. My uncle. He's like my dad, he's the person I look for advice, he's the person that I look for support. He's like my man. And the first person I thought it was calling him. I don't remember, but I think he was in Europe. I don't remember. I don't remember, but I called him and I told him you know this is going on. So I quite don't remember that call, but I just remember that one of the things I told him was that I needed his help for him to go and talk to my mom, because I didn't want to tell her over the phone, and my mom lives in Miami. He lives in Miami and I wanted for him to drive there and just and just, you know, tell my mom, because I, you know, I couldn't tell her over the phone. I could tell her over the phone, but I think it was too serious that I was concerned about how she was going to react. So that was one of the first things I requested from him.

Speaker 2: 16:24

And then he was like, okay, you know what? Okay, I'll do that and I think it's good to ask for a second opinion. I would like to talk to the doctor because you know, at that moment you think you know you should look for other options and have other opinions when they tell you something like that is happening to you so drastic. So I talked, you know. Then the doctor showed up and I told him you know my uncle that you know he's like my dad and you know, usually when I take decisions I it goes through him. I would like for you to speak with him. And he said you know, that's fine. And when my uncle started saying, you know, we would like to maybe come to Miami and just get another opinion, he said it's up to you, but because of the severity of how she's doing right now, that will be risky because then you would have to get an appointment and wait and you know, I think the best thing to do is to act right away. So with those words you were like, okay, so you know what, let's just start right away and after that we can look for another opinion.

Speaker 2: 17:38

So immediately the day after I started chemo, I was super scared because I, you know, I have never maybe met somebody close to me that has had chemo. I have heard stories, but never yeah never knew how it was, but I just heard that it was really bad. So I was scared, you know, when it's the unknown and what you know is just you hear just really bad stories of people even dying of getting chemo. So I started my chemo that day and I was like completely freaked out. I was really the day before I couldn't sleep. I was just, you know, thinking what my body was gonna go through. I didn't even because usually you go to Google and try to look for information. I was like you know what, I'm not even gonna go there.

Speaker 1: 18:37

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 18:39

So I did my first chemo. Then the doctor told me that I needed to get six rounds. On the first one I felt weak, but it wasn't like that bad. It was like weak and just had pain over all my over, over over all. It's just. And it wasn't like. I cannot explain the pain because I cannot tell you. It's like a headache, like it was just like I don't know, like complete on all your body pain. It's kind of. It's really. It's really something that I never had experienced before. So I was like okay, so this is the first one, let me get ready for what. What's coming up.

Speaker 2: 19:33

So then, after that, I was discharged from the hospital. I came home, my mom drove and she came to my house and the first well, I'm sorry, let me just go back when I was in the hospital I had this I think he's slash priest, psychologist and other things he came to my room and he said you know what? I would like to talk to you. When you're discharged from the hospital, come and visit me. And I was like you know what? Okay, he has like his office in the hospital. So when I went home I made an appointment with him and I saw him like maybe a week or two weeks later. And when I came into his office, he says you know what? I usually don't do this I don't see patients. I usually I see them when they're in the hospital, but I'm super busy, they don't have time.

Speaker 2: 20:48

But for some reason, when I met you, I just thought that I needed to talk to you. So I was like, hmm, interesting, okay, I'm here. So I talked to him and something that he mentioned well, he started asking about my life, how my life has been, how I got to that point. Now I understand why. At that moment I couldn't understand. I was like, okay, I'm here.

Speaker 2: 21:20

I really went because I felt that he was really nice, let me go and just get it over with, but not really looking for answers or that I was gonna feel better At that moment. I just I just decided to think that that was it and that it was over. So I wasn't even thinking you know what this is gonna help me know? Really, I wasn't thinking that way. So I went to see him and after we talked, I think for an hour, he said okay, there's two things that you can do Hold to your spiritual beliefs and connect to your spiritual beliefs. If you want to get through this, and if not, that's fine too. There's not good and bad, but if not, I'm just gonna tell you that things gonna get worse and maybe you'll die.

Speaker 2: 22:30

And I was like, but like that, I was like, okay, you know like because even though I thought about it.

Speaker 2: 22:37

But when he said, it was like so matter of fact he had, like you know, I was like okay, but that way he talked with me it was like I don't know, like like a wake up call, like I was in shock and that just woke me up. So after that I got all my six chemo sessions. There were horrific, I cannot, even I can. I was just thinking, you know, if this is the medication, I really don't understand, because I just feel that the medication is killing me. And you know, I couldn't understand how can a medication was going to solve something or fix it if it was making me feel worse. So I had those internal battles of thinking if I should continue to do it, if I should stop, if I was going to be able to get through this. You know, a lot, of, a lot of questions come up when you're feeling that bad and and you're just having negative thoughts at that moment there's not a chance for you to have a positive thought. Everything is negative. At that moment you don't even I couldn't even feel thankful that I had my mom, that I had my husband. I was just, everything was just negative, completely negative, and went through that.

Speaker 2: 24:23

But when, when all that happened, shannon, I I started going to church, I started to pray, I started to do things on my own. I was really working on myself Because I understood that it was not in my hands for me to to change any outcomes. Just what can I do with what I have now Right? And for me that that was. I felt like it was another person when I started thinking that way, because I just started seeing everything completely different and and even though I was going through such a bad time, I have to, I have to talk about the whole picture that positive things came out from that. Right, I wouldn't have maybe changed my way of how I think now if that didn't happen.

Speaker 2: 25:37

And one of the things that I started to work on besides myself, was me and how, and my relationship, my relationships with other people, First being my mom. You know, we, we grow up with so many ideas in our head that we're convinced that that's how it works. So it's not programmed right. Yeah, completely. And I realized that, nope, we can change that if we want to.

Speaker 2: 26:17

It's hard, we have to put a lot of work on it, Absolutely, but you know it's. It's, it's a day by day work that you have to put into yourself, but it's, it's worth it, because you see the effects. You see the effects on yourself and on your body and your healing and and everything else, and it's and then it's just, um, it's so helpful that then you, you start to get into that mode that you're like, okay, you know, I'm seeing this benefits, Let me just continue this path. For me to, For me to to thrive, really, because when you feel that you're so low and you're in a place that you think that everything is done and it's over with that, when you feel that there's a little light. For me that was a wake up call. Not a wake up call, it was a, it was a beginning of of another jahida. Really, that's how I saw it.

Speaker 1: 27:24

That's awesome. That's a really, really awesome outcome because we are programmed from our parents, because they do the best that they can with the tools that they have, but they write the narrative for us and then that's what we believe. And then we've found it at some point and some people don't even get to experience this. But at some point you get to point you're like no, that's not, that's not me, that's not who I am, that's not what I want to be, that's not what I want to do, that's not like. At some point you realize I'm going to live my life for me and I'm sorry that that's not what you want, but you know, this is my life and I'm going to live it for me.

Speaker 2: 27:56

Yes, yes, but but you know it takes. It takes a lot for you to get to that point, not a lot.

Speaker 1: 28:02

It's not easy. It's not easy, it's a lot of work. So it is a very freeing feeling. And so now, like in hindsight, you can look back and be like oh, this is what that doctor was talking about. This is what he meant. Yes, yes, don't you feel like a whole new person now, like you're just, like it doesn't feel free, like it feels so good, right.

Speaker 2: 28:35

Yes, it does. I was going to say that it you know, even though you go through things. I just something that I'm aware is that, yes, you know, this is your physical body, but we are so much than that.

Speaker 2: 28:55

You know this is this, is just this, and we can do so many things. Just, I think, just giving energy to, to to somebody you know that can be besides you, or just saying a word that can change their life, you can do so much things. So, and just, you know, when you have your mind just focusing on you know what I'm diagnosed with this. I feel bad, this, and that you, you, you don't have, you don't have that room to, to give that positive energy to others and just to do much more than what, what we're doing, because, at the end of the day, I think we all are here to to do more, and I don't know how to explain it, but just to your purpose.

Speaker 2: 29:49

Exactly, it's like you have a purpose. You're not just this body walking around and just you know doing this and like a robot, you're so much more than that. So, you know, after, after I finished my my six sessions of chemo, and then I was getting a little bit of more energy, I started doing I went to a spiritual retreat in Columbia and that was just. You know, the retreat is called transformation and I can tell you, yes, it completely transformed me. So that was one of the first steps for me. I needed that inner transformation for me to just to understand that.

Speaker 2: 30:37

You know, you, you have to give forgiveness, and, and one of the first forgiveness I did was to my mom, and that was a big thing. I even get emotional because it was a big thing. And when you start just acknowledging all that, you just feel the weight coming off, so automatically you're, you feel lighter and you feel, I don't know, you just feel better, even though you're going through some physical things. Again, you know, just, you just feel better, and and, and, and, and. The body is so intelligent that it knows when you're happy or sad, and so it, you know if you're feeling good and if you're feeling grateful and if you forgive, automatically even the body, you know, feels it and you know I'm not. I'm saying this because I don't want people to be like, yeah, it's not that, no, the thing is that it's your experience.

Speaker 1: 31:46

This is just your exact.

Speaker 2: 31:48

Yeah, this is my experience and I'm just telling how I felt. You know, that's how really how I felt, that I was just, you know, I was just getting healthier from the inside, from the inside. That, I think is is really more important. Yeah, so so after that I, you know, I started to recuperate. I started to do some exercise, I started doing all other things. I was still getting medication, I was getting immunotherapy every month, but still I was doing other things on my side. I was doing homeopathic medications, I was doing acupuncture, I was doing massage, I was going to the beach, meditating, yoga, doing all of the things that I was able to control, because the other things I wasn't. So, you know, I let that go. I wanted to, because that's why we are we want to control.

Speaker 2: 32:55

We want to control everything, because that's what happened to me. It gives us. For some reason, it gives us a type of a security. That is not right. That's what we think. So when, when we think we're in control is like okay, so I have everything under control, and it's not that way. So, that was one of the things that when I started to say you know what? This is what I can control, and these are the things that I cannot. Let me focus on the things that.

Speaker 2: 33:30

I can control. And that's what I'm going to do. And you know, I'm going to keep on going. And this was something else that my uncle mentioned to me. He said you know what, just focus on the things that you can control, because there are some things you can't. So I was like, yeah, you know, I listen a lot to him, I talk when we talk over the phone, I talk with him for an hour. My husband is like what, why?

Speaker 3: 33:56

what are you guys talking about?

Speaker 2: 33:57

You know he's like my best friend, because we talk so much of a lot of things, and that's how you know. That's how it started last year and we have kept it that way.

Speaker 1: 34:09

So for me that was my thing too with cancer is realizing that, okay, I have to stop trying to control everything because I really can't control everything. So once you start doing that, that also adds into the whole freeing feeling of like, okay, well, I can't control everything, so I'll just control the things that I can. Life certainly is easier. And then I find myself sometimes I'm like no, I'm just going to go ahead and try this. And then I'm like slowly roll Shannon, like why, why are we going to do this dance again?

Speaker 2: 34:35

Yeah, no, because we tend to. But the thing is that the important thing is to recognize and you're like okay, wait, no, no, no, no, no. Let me just chill again. What's going on? Calm down, yeah. I talk to myself. I'm like, yeah, what's going on. You know, remember what we talked about, right? I talk to myself, I'm like calm down, I'm like it's okay.

Speaker 1: 34:55

You know, do you remember that conversation we had two weeks ago? Sitting on the couch, were you not listening? To me I was fine, but it's true, I want to take a break real quick and have a word from our sponsor and then, when we come back, let's talk about what happened as you carry on with your journey.

Speaker 3: 35:14

Okay. This podcast is sponsored by the Shannon Burroughs Real Estate Group, where we are committed to changing the world one smile at a time, in giving back to breast cancer and our communities. Did you know that Shannon Burroughs, our founder and lead realtor, is a breast cancer survivor? Shannon found her purpose at the intersection of passion and pain while navigating her own journey and wants to give back and help others. At the Shannon Burroughs Real Estate Group, we're dedicated to providing exceptional service to our clients while also making a positive impact in our community.

Speaker 3: 35:45

For every home sold, a portion of our commission goes towards supporting breast cancer organizations to help women on a local level and be a resource through their journey. We believe that everyone deserves a safe, comfortable and happy home, and we're here to help make that a reality. Whether you're buying, selling or investing in a real estate will be with you every step of the way, and when you're working with us, you will not only be supporting your own goals, but also helping others through their breast cancer. So chance the Shannon Burroughs Real Estate Group, where you can trust that your dreams and values are in good hands, no matter where you live. We can help you. Visit our website at SharonBurroughscom or give us a call today at 561-494-6389 to learn more.

Speaker 1: 36:33

All right, so welcome back. We are still sitting here with Yahara Lopez talking about her incredible journey of just feeling like she thought she just had indigestion and ended up in the hospital for three days to have a stage four breast cancer that haven't intensified already, so holy crap. But she's come a long, long way with her spiritual being, her emotional health, her like just kind of getting in touch, and not only because a doctor mentioned something to you, it just was kind of your path, and then you were able to look back and be like, oh right, okay, I got it now. So this, so your diagnosis was February of 2022. So here we are it is October of 2023. And so you did your six rounds of chemo already at this point, Last year, yeah, last year yeah.

Speaker 1: 37:20

Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy.

Speaker 2: 37:23

Immunotherapy, you know. And again after the chemo, I was just working on myself and just every day that passed I was feeling much better, stronger and more at peace, and just really I was feeling great, really because, and again, and it's more internally than physically. But I think again, it just makes you feel way better. You can be physically perfect maybe, but if inside, if you're not, you're not going to get there.

Speaker 1: 38:07

So right.

Speaker 2: 38:09

So you know, I was feeling good At in March of this year I started to take a course online because I wanted to. I wanted to start studying something just to get my mind and doing other things. So I was doing it online and I noticed that when I was writing, my writing was off. But when I say off, it was like, instead of, you know, just being a straight line, it was going down. So I was like, hmm, that's kind of weird. And I even mentioned it to my husband and my husband he's like you know what, maybe because you haven't worked for more than a year, you haven't been writing and all of that, maybe that can be. But again, you know, listening to my body, you know what?

Speaker 1: 39:02

I did this dance once before, I'm going to start listening to your body.

Speaker 2: 39:05

You know, maybe, even though I want to believe of what my husband is saying and say, yeah, you know maybe that I'm like I don't think so. So that maybe started on a Thursday. But I was seeing, you know, I had my doctor that I was seeing on. I was, I was getting my, my monthly immunotherapy on Tuesday. So I was like you know what, let me wait, I'm not feeling that bad, it's just something that is off and I need to mention it to him. So here comes Tuesday. You know, I get my blood work. He's saying that everything is showing good. So after he's done because I thought with my blood work something was going to come up, so I was just waiting for him to say something he was like you know, everything is showing good, your cancer markers keep going down, everything is great. I'm like really OK, let me just mention something to you.

Speaker 2: 40:01

You know this happened to me. Oh, the other thing was that when I went to the supermarket or to a store, if I was like doing so many things, I got a little bit dizzy. So I was like, hmm, so I mentioned those two things to him. So he was like OK, ok, I need for you to get a number right, like right away, and I was like OK, but I think this doctor is just being exaggerated, you know, just going all nuts here, and I was like OK, do you want me to do it next week? He was like no, no, no, I need for you to do it. Like, if you can do it today, I was like OK.

Speaker 1: 40:35

Do you need doctors that like to rush things? I was like wait a minute.

Speaker 2: 40:39

Yeah, let me, you know, let me get home, let me have my lunch, and then I'll, you know, I'll come back. He's like no, I need for you to do it right away. So you know, they get in contact with insurance because you know how insurance works. They wanted the insurance to get an OK and that was going to take about a day or no. It was going to take about a week maybe for them to get the OK, for me to get the MRI. So the doctor said you know what? I need you to just go to the emergency. Tell them that I sent you, that you're feeling this and this and this and that you need to get up. Again, the same thing that happened last year. The same thing I went into the emergency.

Speaker 2: 41:21

I had a scan of my head. No, I'm sorry, I had an X-ray. Was it an X-ray? Yeah, I think it was an X-ray. And they said they saw, yeah, another, a shadow or something in my brain. So when they said that, again, you know, just you, you, you know you start thinking, oh my God, but I, you know, I have made all the work. You know, I just feel great. What's right, what's, what's the meaning of this? I even, you know, I even started talking to God. I was like what do you want to let me know? It's like what you know, why am I here again? And I was just thinking what, what else do I need to learn, what else do I need to work on? Because I, that's how I see things now. Because when things like that happen, let's not say good or bad, but situations they happen because for a better good that's how I see it for something better. So I'm like okay, so what's?

Speaker 3: 42:24

you know what's all this.

Speaker 2: 42:28

So I stayed in the hospital, I got I got an MRI of the head, and then the surgeon comes in and he's like you know what? You got a. You got a tumor in your head. It's not that big, it's almost three centimeters and it's encapsulated and we need to do a surgery right away. That was like a Thursday and I was like what do you mean right away? Well, that you have to stay in the hospital and we're doing the surgery on Monday.

Speaker 3: 42:58

Oh, geez, okay, Okay.

Speaker 2: 43:01

So he's like do you have any questions?

Speaker 2: 43:03

And I was like, like doctor, you know, right now I'm not even, I don't know, I'm just in, you know, like in shock, I, I, I, there's nothing I can ask you. I don't, I don't know, I don't, you know, come tomorrow and I'll have my questions, give me the day to think about it and just, but right now I don't, you know, I don't, I can't, even, I, I let me just digest all this information you just gave me right now, and then we'll talk about it. So he's like, okay, but you need to stay in the hospital. So that night I couldn't sleep and I was just thinking, and I was just, I wasn't being I, you know, and that's the other thing that I used to pray and I used to ask God for things or asking why. And now my approach to that is completely different.

Speaker 2: 43:57

I'm like so what are you trying to tell me? You know, just, just give me the strength. If this is what I, you know, I I trust in you. If this is what I need to go through, I, I understand, I trust you it's it's for a better purpose. Just, you know, give me the strength and and, and, you know, let's see what happens. And at that moment I receive a message saying that, a message from the universe, whatever you know, god, you know, and it was just saying don't, don't ask anything to the surgeon. Just, you know, believe that things are going to be fine and things are just going to be. You know, god is in control, it's not the surgeon. So everything is going to be okay.

Speaker 2: 44:49

So the surgeon got there in the morning and he was like okay, so I'm ready for your question. I'm like I don't have any questions, you're sure. I'm like, no, I don't have any questions, I don't. You know, the only thing I'm going to say is Jewish, and I know this because he had like the little hat I don't know how you call it, yeah, and I told him. You know what, I'm ready, I'm ready for Monday. I'm just going to, I'm just going to tell you, you know, put your hands, put your hands in God, do your best job, and you know, we'll, we'll make, we'll make this is going to happen, it's going to be everything Okay, I really like you know what you just said right now, and I just feel it that everything is going to be okay. So I was like, okay, good.

Speaker 2: 45:35

So then I had to stay in the hospital, because if I get out, you know, just to get back in again and just to get the bed for the surgery. So I, I, I needed to stay in the hospital. And that was really funny because I was feeling good. So I was doing yoga in the hospital in my computer and when the nurses came in, they were like, okay, so where's the patient? And I'm like I'm the patient. And they were like, no, really, I'm like, yeah, I'm the patient and you're doing yoga. And I'm like, yeah, there's nothing I can do, so I'm just going to do my thing.

Speaker 2: 46:04

So the surgery, you know, the day of the surgery got there. That was a Monday. There was my mom, my husband and a friend. We prayed before going into the surgery and I told them you know, everything is going to be okay. I believe it. And even my mom told me. She was like I completely believe everything is going to be okay. So I was like, really, that's the other thing. You know that when you work on yourself and you believe and you trust, everything is just much easier.

Speaker 1: 46:39

Yeah, for sure.

Speaker 2: 46:41

Because when they tell you that you know that you're going to get a, brain surgery, you're like hello, yeah. So after the surgery, because I didn't have any questions, I didn't know that that surgery can affect your motor skills. I didn't know that because I didn't ask anything. So when I got up from the, from the surgery, one of the things that made they made me move my hands, just to see you know how everything was working and I even asked the nurse.

Speaker 2: 47:14

I was like why are you making me do these things? She was like I was like I want to sleep and she was like, because we want to see, you know, there was any effect in your motor skills. I was like what? Okay, good that I didn't ask. I was like, really Okay, yeah, you know, because the surgery can be, you know, it can affect you. So, motor skills, I'm like, oh man, okay.

Speaker 2: 47:36

So it's like, yeah, everything was good the next day. They put me to walk, they made me go to the bathroom and again, you know, everything was everything was fine, everything was fine. I didn't, I didn't ask anything. You know, the doctor could have said you know, this can happen, this can happen. So I think that was the best, the best thing to do at that moment, because then you don't stress about it. Yeah, so so got out. The recuperation was kind of slow. I had some really bad nights, but again, try to walk, try to walk my dog, try to do the most that I was able to do, always doing my meditations, always connecting with my, you know, with just connecting to my spiritual beliefs and just with my inner spirit and and and again, you know it's just every day is a learning experience and and and again I get a gift and a gift and a gift.

Speaker 2: 48:43

and for me, like every day, I'm just so grateful that I'm not even thinking. You know, you know what's going to happen tomorrow. I'm like you know what today. Let me just enjoy the day with the people that I'm at. Yeah, if I'm going to eat with my husband, if I'm going to eat with my mom, with my uncle, with, with my friends, I just enjoy the day because, you know, things for me have have happened that it's just a turnaround from one day to another that I really don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. So I just try to enjoy my days and and really enjoy the people that that are around me and just be super thankful of everything that I have. That's, you know, that's perfect advice. That's, I think, if worth thankful.

Speaker 2: 49:31

Everything just use you see the world with different eyes and everything, just it looks completely different, and so I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful that, because of my diagnosis, where I'm at right now as a person, absolutely, and you know I it had to happen that way. It had to happen that way and and I see the, the benefit of everything. You have to again look at the whole picture and there's some things that weren't that convenient, that I didn't want to, but you know that was the way to, that was the way to do it.

Speaker 2: 50:09

And now I'm just trying to again, you know, still working on on me and trying to, you know, eat healthy, trying to enjoy and I was just with you on Saturday and just enjoying, you know, being with the other girls there and just and being grateful and continue to go on and try to help others. If you know, if, if there's a possibility that I can help someone, I'm there. That's the meaning of it all and and just continue. And if somebody, you know, wants to talk with me, and if my story is going to help somebody, just to feel better For me, that's you served your purpose right.

Speaker 2: 50:56

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 50:56

Yeah, yeah, so those are listening. We just had her. So your heart lives here in the West Palm Beach area near me and I actually train her a few days a week in the morning. She found my information at the sorry center, which is a local organization, and since I am a certified cancer specialist, I had my information and they're still. I didn't even know they had so sad stuff of mine there, but that's awesome. Yeah, so we've been training and I just. We just had our first inaugural breasties who brunch luncheon and so for me, I love connecting people more than anything like, I just love the camaraderie, the relationships, the connecting to help me one another.

Speaker 1: 51:33

So it's like breasties who brunch. And we do have a Facebook page I just started, but it is local for now. Who knows what will ever happen with that, but anyway, it's just. You know, like, like you said, you know if someone might have a similar diagnosis to you my friend, judith silver at Moffitt Center right now she's going through something that I can't really do, but I can certainly connect her with. You know another one of my friends, maria, who ended up with you know, blood cancer, like. So it's all those like I'm I actually had a therapist once tell me that I was put on this world to be a connector, and I'm like, okay, well, that's good thing. Real estate makes me a connector. Yes, yes.

Speaker 2: 52:06

And I really appreciate it because the thing is that you know you, you have your family, you have your friends, but it's not the same thing when you talk with somebody that has gone through a similar to you. You have that special connection and they understand and you just feel so free to talk about it that you cannot maybe with you, know a friend that hasn't gone through that, through with family, right they?

Speaker 1: 52:30

really don't. You know, really don't understand.

Speaker 2: 52:32

So that's that's really nice for us to have that moment to get together and just you know what I feel this way. I feel this other way. You know I felt this way when this was happening. You know this happened to me. It's really nice. It's just you talk so, so freely, and that's all. I don't know, it's it's. I have never met none of them until Saturday, but I just felt like they were part of my group of friends from long time ago. So you know that it's incredible. I have never met them in my life and we were talking. They're like like, we're friends like from years Correct, you know, just to have that connection. It was, it was really nice, it was, it was awesome. If you can bring more people, the bigger, the better. Is just going to be, it's just going to be a great group.

Speaker 1: 53:19

It's going to be amazing and it makes my heart super happy and full, so that was good. So we'll see. Our next one will be in April.

Speaker 3: 53:26

So that'll be good.

Speaker 1: 53:27

So if people would like to find you, to follow you, to chat with you, to support you, be part of your journey, you are on the Graham on Instagram, at Julian below 22. And you don't know how long you're going to have that name for, because you're going to change.

Speaker 2: 53:42

I put that name because of my dog, because, well, I you know my dog has been, you know a part of this journey to.

Speaker 3: 53:49

He's like my best friend and companion.

Speaker 2: 53:52

He's like my you know, if he's like my kid. So when I did the Instagram I put his name. So I think maybe I'm going to change it. Yeah, because then people are just going to get confused, are going to be like wait. So your name is your height. About Julian, what you know.

Speaker 1: 54:08

Exactly.

Speaker 2: 54:10

So for now, that's, that's. That's the name.

Speaker 1: 54:12

We'll roll with that, right yeah.

Speaker 2: 54:15

I'll work on that. I'll work on that.

Speaker 1: 54:17

Okay, perfect. So, yes, you go find her over on Instagram the email, the handle will be in the show notes there and whatever podcasts platform that you're listening on. I think you so much for being here and I'm so thankful that you're in my life and I'm glad that we can do this journey together. I think our spirituals connected in jive, so I think that's pretty awesome. I think we connected right from the get go, when we first chatted on the phone and then when we met at your place. So I love it. So thank you so much for being here.

Speaker 2: 54:44

Thank you, thank you really is. It's just I was. I was worried when you said okay, you know what I do a podcast. Yeah, I'm like, oh, my God wait. I'm like, oh, I'm going to do myself into what we need to do. You're like no, just, you know, we're just going to talk. I'm like, oh, okay, okay, okay, okay. But you know, well, I'm guessing you guys will follow Shannon, you know how she is. She's like Okay, let's do it. I'm like wait a minute.

Speaker 1: 55:08

You know like, let me know, no time to think about it, just say no, no, no, no, no. Let's do it, Okay, yeah when let's do it Monday.

Speaker 2: 55:17

I'm like, but Shannon and she's like, yeah, so what you know?

Speaker 1: 55:21

I'm like, okay, see what is great and everything turned up just fine.

Speaker 2: 55:26

Yes, it did, it did and I'm really thankful for your invitation and just forgiving me the opportunity to share my story. And you know, and I'm here if somebody wants to talk with me. Really, you know, I'm here if I can help someone.

Speaker 1: 55:41

I'm really happy to be there. Yep, that was. That's the gift that we were given after this diagnosis. Right is we're going to help others.

Speaker 1: 55:47

Yep, yes, all right. So thank you for joining us on Bustin on a Breast Cancer. We hope you found our podcast informative, uplifting and inspiring. We want to remind you that you are not alone in this fight against breast cancer. If you are someone you know needs support, please reach out to a healthcare professional, breast cancer support organization or me. I'm always happy to listen, chat and help anyway I can. Breast cancer detection is key, so please schedule your regular cancer screenings. Also, if you're in the market for a new home, looking to sell or start investing, don't hesitate to contact me, your favorite friend, realtor and podcast host. Together, we can make a real estate dreams of reality and make the difference in the fight against breast cancer. If you are someone you know would like to be a guest, please reach out to us at smile at Shannon Broscom, and thank you again for the scene. We'll see you next week. I'm busting out of breast cancer.