October 25, 2023 • 56 mins
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
➡️If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on our podcast, please email SMILE@shannonburrows.com
➡️If you have any real estate needs anywhere in the world, please email shannonburrowsrealtor@gmail.com
Follow us at:
● Personal Instagram: @shannonmburrows
● Podcast Instagram Page: @bustinoutofbreastcancer
● Personal Facebook: Shannon M Burrows
● Podcast Facebook Page: Bustin' Out of Breast Cancer Podcast
Don’t forget to Follow, Subscribe and Share this podcast so you can help us Change The World, One S.M.I.L.E. At A Time!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey there and welcome to Bust an Out of Breast Cancer
, the podcast that educates andpowers and inspires those
impacted by breast cancer.
I'm your host, ShannonBurroughs, a realtor who found
her purpose at the intersectionof passion and pain while
navigating her own breast cancerjourney and loves giving back
to my community.
Having worked with many breastcancer survivors and their
families, I understand thechallenges they face and the
importance of raising awarenessabout this disease and bridging
(00:21):
the gap between the medical andfitness industries.
Join us as we share stories ofsurvivors, caregivers and
healthcare professionals who aremaking a difference in the
fight against breast cancer.
Our goal is to raise awareness,provide resources and create a
community of support for thoseaffected by this disease.
I have a mission of changing theworld one smile at a time.
So, whether you're a breastcancer survivor, a loved one, a
friend or just interested inlearning more, this podcast is
(00:41):
for you.
Let's bust out a breast cancertogether and make a difference
in the lives of those affectedby this disease.
Today we have a super specialguest and her name is Yohara
Lopez.
She's probably going topronounce it differently because
she has the the accent to gowith it, and I'm very not.
I think I did a good job,though no, I think I think you
(01:04):
did.
You have to work a little bit onit but you're getting there.
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 beinghere.
I'm so glad to have you on thepodcast and so you can share
your journey and your story withothers that maybe they can
relate.
Maybe they just need thatinspiration, that hope that they
(01:27):
need to hear today, because youhave a pretty spectacular story
and we can talk about how wemet and all the good things that
have come along with yourdiagnosis, because when we get a
diagnosis, it's a pretty shittything, but there are good
things that do come along withit.
We just have to wait and seewhat those things are.
Right, yes, that's so true.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
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 thefirst one.
Again, I think we're here tochat and just tell you my
journey and, if I can helpothers, that's the main idea of
(02:08):
what we're doing right now, so Ithink that's super good.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
So when were you diagnosed?
Speaker 2 (02:16):
I was diagnosed last year on February and it was kind
of, I think, like all of us, itgets us when we think we're
really inspiring or just doingour lives and working and doing
our things.
I just came back from a trip Iwas in Spain.
(02:37):
I came back, I started a newjob.
I was super happy with my newjob 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 andI started having a pain between,
(03:03):
like in the middle of my twolungs, maybe under the breast,
and I thought it was maybesomething.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
I ate something that Like indigestion kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Something like that.
Yeah, because the day before wewent out to have a big lunch
with my brother-in-law.
So I was like you know what, Ithink I went over the top and I
thought it wasn't digestion, sothe pain continued.
So you know, when we get thosemessages and it tells you, you
(03:42):
know you should get checked,there's something that is off.
We go through life gettingthose messages and we don't
listen to them.
But this time I did and I waslike you know what?
It was a Sunday and I was Ithought I'm going to wait until
Monday.
But then again, you know just, Iwas feeling off and I went to
(04:04):
the emergency, got there, I gota scant note, I got an x-ray
done, an x-ray done.
They checked all my vitals.
When they came back with thex-ray, they said they had a seat
, they saw like a shadow in myliver.
So I was like okay, that was.
(04:27):
You know.
That was like okay, they saidthat I had to stay at the
hospital to get further exams.
So you know, at that time I waslike oh, maybe, you know, maybe
it's, I don't know, like Idon't know.
You think so many things butreally never.
(04:48):
Really in a million years Inever thought cancer Really.
I was just, you know, maybethere's something and that can
be solved.
And they just want to checkeverything.
So I was like, okay, I'll stay.
I drove myself because I wasn'tit was just that pain, but it
wasn't that bad.
But it was again.
You know, it was something thatit was telling me that I needed
(05:10):
to get it checked.
I call my lawyer-.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
I always advocate and say you have got to listen to
your body.
You've got to listen to yourbody.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Oh my god, now.
Now I completely, 100%, listento my body, but I have to get to
this you know to where I'm atto understand that and people
don't listen to.
You know, the body is just, Ithink, is just so perfect that
it tells you you need to do thisRight, and we start just doing
(05:38):
things and we're like no, no,you know, I'm going to keep on
with my life, I'm busy, I haveto get to work, and but no, it
really, it really is a, it's aperfect body.
So I end up staying at thehospital.
I call my husband and I toldhim you know, they said this I
don't know what's going on.
I'm, I'm staying in thehospital.
So he was like so that's weird.
(06:00):
Do you want me to?
Speaker 3 (06:01):
go there.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
I'm like you can come , you know, bring me some
clothes.
But I really don't know what'shappening.
You know, they just said thatand I'm getting, I'm getting a
scan early in the morning.
So he was like, wow, okay.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
So that's such an unsettling feeling.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Yes, I was going to say I couldn't sleep that night
because I was just thinking.
You know, I'm always this issomething that I got from my
grandmother.
I grew up with my grandmother.
My grandmother was like areally positive person, so I
always tend to think positive.
So I was like you know what,it's nothing big, I shouldn't be
(06:42):
even worrying, I should sleep.
But no, you know I couldn't.
So next morning I got a scan andthey 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 theycall it?
(07:03):
Like like they said something Idon't remember right now, but
like a weird body, likesomething there before body.
Yeah, yes, they saw somethingthere.
So, and when they came backthey said that it was like they
saw, you know, something in myliver.
(07:27):
I don't remember right now.
So.
So I was like okay, really.
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 otherexams.
I had to get a colonoscopy, Ihad to get an endoscopy, I had
to get another scan.
(07:49):
It was like you know, a bunchof tests that I had to get done
until somebody came to say youknow what we need to talk.
But before that it was like Ithink it passed like two days of
getting a lot of scan you knowa test and doing a lot of exams
and here in the hospital for twodays.
(08:09):
Yeah, I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
You were in the hospital for two days.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
I was in the hospital for two days.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
Me nor, like I thought I just had an ingestion.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Yeah, yeah, um, so then it's so.
It's crazy because you know youget all this test done and
nobody comes and tells you youknow this, this is going on.
Everything is like like youknow, like like like hello, talk
to me, yeah, and I'm likewhat's going on.
(08:39):
But then, after, after thosetwo days, the first visit I got
was an oncologist.
I was like whoa.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
I was like whoa, okay where'd you come in the picture
?
Yeah, I was like okay, thenOkay.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
So so, yeah, this is, this is something else.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
This escalated quickly.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
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.
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.
(09:21):
Um, can I say, yeah, okay, hisname is.
His name is Dr Peles, he's fromSouth Africa and he will.
He grew up in Israel, so, um.
So I was like okay, so you knowwhat are you doing here?
He's like because all the examswe have done, there's a
(09:44):
possibility that that you know,it can be cancer.
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 knowsomebody like that, get into the
(10:04):
room, you know you want answers, so.
So he was like you know what?
I don't want to rush intothings.
I need for you to get, um,further exams.
Uh, I need to.
I need for you to get a CT scannow, um, just to know you know
where we're standing, okay.
(10:25):
So I was like, okay, we'regetting a CT scan, but again,
you know it's.
It's that time when you feelsomething that you know, this is
.
This is not that they want to domore 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.
Um, and I was like in shock mode.
Um, I continued to do what thedoctor said, but really I was
just thinking I'm dying.
You know, this is it for me.
I'm um, you know, this is theend of the road.
That's immediately, shannon.
(11:07):
I didn't think okay, so we'regoing 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 planningof 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'malways that type of person that
(11:29):
really does things and andcompletes things, and you know,
and, and, and I have my plansand I have to do this and so and
I took it that way I think itwas like a surviving mode.
So I was like okay, so I needto have this fixed, I have to do
this, the papers, I have toleave.
I was really thinking like thatMeanwhile you didn't even have
(11:52):
a diagnosis yet.
No, and I was already.
You know I was.
My husband came in and I toldhim and he was all like prying,
sobbing.
He was like, oh my God, and I'mlike 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 planningwhat we're going to do.
And he was just looking at meat are you okay?
(12:14):
You know what's wrong with you?
Like you don't understandwhat'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 reallyright now I don't even know
where I'm standing, I'm reallyoff.
So I was like okay, so thatcalled me down because I was.
I think I was requesting toomuch 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 thesethings and you're the one
talking to the doctor.
This is the first he's beenreally part of it.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
So at the moment, he was like wait a minute.
Yeah, calm down because rightnow, and I cannot even think, so
I'm like, okay, I understand.
So he was like you know what?
Just, you know, finish whateveryou'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, Igot the CT scan and the next day
(13:20):
this woman doctor comes in notthe same oncologist, another
oncologist and I was likebecause nobody came and said
anything just to confirm 100%that I was diagnosed with cancer
, that I was like, so when am Ileaving?
Because I already had all theexams?
Can I go home?
(13:41):
And she was like, no, you needto 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, youknow, it came back because they
did a biopsy.
They did a lot of things youknow I'm not gonna go into that
they did a lot of things.
So she was like, yeah, no, it'sconfirmed, you have cancer and
we need to start chemoimmediately because, you know,
(14:18):
we have to be really aggressive.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
And what stage were you?
Stage four, stage four.
And you thought you just saidindigestion.
Thank God, you listened to yourbody, 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 thatcomes.
(14:48):
That's why I asked you when Iwas leaving.
So she apologized, she was likeyou know, I'm sorry, I didn't
know.
You know, miscommunication,blah, blah, blah, blah, standard
yeah.
And I'm like, okay, okay, sowhat can I expect?
And she said you know it'sgonna be tough, but we need for
(15:08):
you to do chemo right away.
So at that time the first personI thought of was my uncle.
My uncle.
He's like my dad, he's theperson I look for advice, he's
the person that I look forsupport.
He's like my man.
And the first person I thoughtit was calling him.
(15:30):
I don't remember, but I thinkhe was in Europe.
I don't remember.
I don't remember, but I calledhim and I told him you know this
is going on.
So I quite don't remember thatcall, but I just remember that
(15:51):
one of the things I told him wasthat 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 momlives in Miami.
He lives in Miami and I wantedfor 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
(16:14):
that I was concerned about howshe was going to react.
So that was one of the firstthings I requested from him.
And then he was like, okay, youknow what?
Okay, I'll do that and I thinkit's good to ask for a second
opinion.
I would like to talk to thedoctor because you know, at that
(16:37):
moment you think you know youshould look for other options
and have other opinions whenthey tell you something like
that is happening to you sodrastic.
So I talked, you know.
Then the doctor showed up and Itold him you know my uncle that
you know he's like my dad andyou know, usually when I take
decisions I it goes through him.
(16:59):
I would like for you to speakwith him.
And he said you know, that'sfine.
And when my uncle startedsaying, you know, we would like
to maybe come to Miami and justget another opinion, he said
it's up to you, but because ofthe severity of how she's doing
right now, that will be riskybecause then you would have to
(17:20):
get an appointment and wait andyou know, I think the best thing
to do is to act right away.
So with those words you werelike, okay, so you know what,
let's just start right away andafter that we can look for
another opinion.
So immediately the day after Istarted chemo, I was super
(17:43):
scared because I, you know, Ihave never maybe met somebody
close to me that has had chemo.
I have heard stories, but neveryeah never knew how it was, but
I just heard that it was reallybad.
So I was scared, you know, whenit's the unknown and what you
(18:07):
know is just you hear justreally bad stories of people
even dying of getting chemo.
So I started my chemo that dayand I was like completely
freaked out.
I was really the day before Icouldn't sleep.
I was just, you know, thinkingwhat my body was gonna go
(18:30):
through.
I didn't even because usuallyyou go to Google and try to look
for information.
I was like you know what, I'mnot 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 Ineeded to get six rounds.
On the first one I felt weak,but it wasn't like that bad.
It was like weak and just hadpain over all my over, over over
(19:01):
all.
It's just.
And it wasn't like.
I cannot explain the painbecause I cannot tell you.
It's like a headache, like itwas 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 Inever had experienced before.
(19:22):
So I was like okay, so this isthe first one, let me get ready
for what.
What's coming up.
So then, after that, I wasdischarged from the hospital.
I came home, my mom drove andshe came to my house and the
(19:47):
first well, I'm sorry, let mejust go back when I was in the
hospital I had this I think he'sslash priest, psychologist and
other things he came to my roomand he said you know what?
I would like to talk to you.
(20:10):
When you're discharged from thehospital, come and visit me.
And I was like you know what?
Okay, he has like his office inthe hospital.
So when I went home I made anappointment with him and I saw
him like maybe a week or twoweeks later.
(20:30):
And when I came into his office, he says you know what?
I usually don't do this I don'tsee patients.
I usually I see them whenthey're in the hospital, but I'm
super busy, they don't havetime.
But for some reason, when I metyou, I just thought that I
(20:53):
needed to talk to you.
So I was like, hmm, interesting, okay, I'm here.
So I talked to him andsomething that he mentioned well
, he started asking about mylife, how my life has been, how
I got to that point.
Now I understand why.
(21:15):
At that moment I couldn'tunderstand.
I was like, okay, I'm here.
I really went because I feltthat he was really nice, let me
go and just get it over with,but not really looking for
answers or that I was gonna feelbetter At that moment.
I just I just decided to thinkthat that was it and that it was
(21:42):
over.
So I wasn't even thinking youknow what this is gonna help me
know?
Really, I wasn't thinking thatway.
So I went to see him and afterwe talked, I think for an hour,
he said okay, there's two thingsthat you can do Hold to your
spiritual beliefs and connect toyour spiritual beliefs.
(22:13):
If you want to get through this, and if not, that's fine too.
There's not good and bad, butif not, I'm just gonna tell you
that things gonna get worse andmaybe you'll die.
And I was like, but like that, Iwas like, okay, you know like
(22:35):
because even though I thoughtabout it.
But when he said, it was like somatter of fact he had, like you
know, I was like okay, but thatway he talked with me it was
like I don't know, like like awake up call, like I was in
shock and that just woke me up.
(22:56):
So after that I got all my sixchemo 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, becauseI just feel that the medication
(23:17):
is killing me.
And you know, I couldn'tunderstand how can a medication
was going to solve something orfix it if it was making me feel
worse.
So I had those internal battlesof thinking if I should
continue to do it, if I shouldstop, if I was going to be able
(23:41):
to get through this.
You know, a lot, of, a lot ofquestions come up when you're
feeling that bad and and you'rejust having negative thoughts at
that moment there's not achance for you to have a
positive thought.
(24:02):
Everything is negative.
At that moment you don't even Icouldn't even feel thankful
that I had my mom, that I had myhusband.
I was just, everything was justnegative, completely negative,
and went through that.
(24:23):
But when, when all that happened, shannon, I I started going to
church, I started to pray, Istarted to do things on my own.
I was really working on myselfBecause I understood that it was
(24:45):
not in my hands for me to tochange any outcomes.
Just what can I do with what Ihave now Right?
And for me that that was.
I felt like it was anotherperson when I started thinking
that way, because I just startedseeing everything completely
(25:11):
different and and even though Iwas going through such a bad
time, I have to, I have to talkabout the whole picture that
positive things came out fromthat.
Right, I wouldn't have maybechanged my way of how I think
(25:33):
now if that didn't happen.
And one of the things that Istarted to work on besides
myself, was me and how, and myrelationship, my relationships
with other people, First beingmy mom.
You know, we, we grow up withso many ideas in our head that
(26:02):
we're convinced that that's howit works.
So it's not programmed right.
Yeah, completely.
And I realized that, nope, wecan change that if we want to.
It's hard, we have to put a lotof work on it, Absolutely, but
(26:24):
you know it's.
It's, it's a day by day workthat you have to put into
yourself, but it's, it's worthit, because you see the effects.
You see the effects on yourselfand 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
(26:48):
that you're like, okay, youknow, 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 ina place that you think that
(27:08):
everything is done and it's overwith 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 awesomeoutcome because we are
programmed from our parents,because they do the best that
they can with the tools thatthey have, but they write the
narrative for us and then that'swhat we believe.
And then we've found it at somepoint and some people don't
even get to experience this.
But at some point you get topoint you're like no, that's not
, that's not me, that's not whoI am, that's not what I want to
(27:46):
be, that's not what I want to do, that's not like.
At some point you realize I'mgoing to live my life for me and
I'm sorry that that's not whatyou want, but you know, this is
my life and I'm going to live itfor me.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
Yes, yes, but but you know it takes.
It takes a lot for you to getto that point, not a lot.
Speaker 1 (28:02):
It's not easy.
It's not easy, it's a lot ofwork.
So it is a very freeing feeling.
And so now, like in hindsight,you can look back and be like oh
(28:25):
, this is what that doctor wastalking about.
This is what he meant.
Yes, yes, don't you feel like awhole new person now, like
you're just, like it doesn'tfeel free, like it feels so good
, right.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
Yes, it does.
I was going to say that it youknow, even though you go through
things.
I just something that I'm awareis that, yes, you know, this is
your physical body, but we areso much than that.
You know this is this, is justthis, and we can do so many
(28:59):
things.
Just, I think, just givingenergy to, to to somebody you
know that can be besides you, orjust saying a word that can
change their life, you can do somuch things.
So, and just, you know, whenyou have your mind just focusing
on you know what I'm diagnosedwith this.
(29:19):
I feel bad, this, and that you,you, you don't have, you don't
have that room to, to give thatpositive energy to others and
just to do much more than what,what we're doing, because, at
the end of the day, I think weall are here to to do more, and
(29:43):
I don't know how to explain it,but just to your purpose.
Exactly, it's like you have apurpose.
You're not just this bodywalking around and just you know
doing this and like a robot,you're so much more than that.
So, you know, after, after Ifinished my my six sessions of
(30:07):
chemo, and then I was getting alittle bit of more energy, I
started doing I went to aspiritual retreat in Columbia
and that was just.
You know, the retreat is calledtransformation and I can tell
you, yes, it completelytransformed me.
So that was one of the firststeps for me.
(30:30):
I needed that innertransformation for me to just to
understand that.
You know, you, you have to giveforgiveness, and, and one of the
first forgiveness I did was tomy mom, and that was a big thing
.
I even get emotional because itwas a big thing.
(30:51):
And when you start justacknowledging all that, you just
feel the weight coming off, soautomatically you're, you feel
lighter and you feel, I don'tknow, you just feel better, even
though you're going throughsome physical things.
Again, you know, just, you justfeel better, and and, and, and,
(31:17):
and.
The body is so intelligent thatit knows when you're happy or
sad, and so it, you know ifyou're feeling good and if
you're feeling grateful and ifyou forgive, automatically even
the body, you know, feels it andyou know I'm not.
I'm saying this because I don'twant people to be like, yeah,
(31:42):
it's not that, no, the thing isthat 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 howI felt, that I was just, you
know, I was just gettinghealthier from the inside, from
the inside.
That, I think is is really moreimportant.
Yeah, so so after that I, youknow, I started to recuperate.
(32:10):
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 wasdoing other things on my side.
I was doing homeopathicmedications, I was doing
(32:33):
acupuncture, I was doing massage, I was going to the beach,
meditating, yoga, doing all ofthe things that I was able to
control, because the otherthings I wasn't.
So, you know, I let that go.
I wanted to, because that's whywe are we want to control.
(32:55):
We want to control everything,because that's what happened to
me.
It gives us.
For some reason, it gives us atype of a security.
That is not right.
That's what we think.
So when, when we think we're incontrol is like okay, so I have
everything under control, andit's not that way.
So, that was one of the thingsthat when I started to say you
(33:23):
know what?
This is what I can control, andthese are the things that I
cannot.
Let me focus on the things that.
I can control.
And that's what I'm going to do.
And you know, I'm going to keepon going.
And this was something elsethat my uncle mentioned to me.
He said you know what, justfocus on the things that you can
control, because there are somethings you can't.
(33:45):
So I was like, yeah, you know,I listen a lot to him, I talk
when we talk over the phone, Italk 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, andthat's how you know.
That's how it started last yearand 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 tostop trying to control
everything because I reallycan'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 thethings that I can.
Life certainly is easier.
And then I find myselfsometimes I'm like no, I'm just
going to go ahead and try this.
(34:30):
And then I'm like slowly rollShannon, 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 theimportant 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 wetalked about, right?
I talk to myself, I'm like calmdown, 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 younot listening?
To me I was fine, but it's true, I want to take a break real
quick and have a word from oursponsor and then, when we come
back, let's talk about whathappened as you carry on with
your journey.
Speaker 3 (35:14):
Okay.
This podcast is sponsored bythe Shannon Burroughs Real
Estate Group, where we arecommitted to changing the world
one smile at a time, in givingback to breast cancer and our
communities.
Did you know that ShannonBurroughs, our founder and lead
realtor, is a breast cancersurvivor?
Shannon found her purpose atthe intersection of passion and
pain while navigating her ownjourney and wants to give back
(35:35):
and help others.
At the Shannon Burroughs RealEstate Group, we're dedicated to
providing exceptional serviceto our clients while also making
a positive impact in ourcommunity.
For every home sold, a portionof our commission goes towards
supporting breast cancerorganizations to help women on a
local level and be a resourcethrough their journey.
We believe that everyonedeserves a safe, comfortable and
(35:58):
happy home, and we're here tohelp make that a reality.
Whether you're buying, sellingor investing in a real estate
will be with you every step ofthe way, and when you're working
with us, you will not only besupporting your own goals, but
also helping others throughtheir breast cancer.
So chance the Shannon BurroughsReal Estate Group, where you
can trust that your dreams andvalues are in good hands, no
(36:22):
matter where you live.
We can help you.
Visit our website atSharonBurroughscom or give us a
call today at 561-494-6389 tolearn more.
Speaker 1 (36:33):
All right, so welcome back.
We are still sitting here withYahara Lopez talking about her
incredible journey of justfeeling like she thought she
just had indigestion and endedup in the hospital for three
days to have a stage four breastcancer that haven't intensified
already, so holy crap.
But she's come a long, long waywith her spiritual being, her
(36:55):
emotional health, her like justkind of getting in touch, and
not only because a doctormentioned something to you, it
just was kind of your path, andthen you were able to look back
and be like, oh right, okay, Igot it now.
So this, so your diagnosis wasFebruary of 2022.
So here we are it is October of2023.
And so you did your six roundsof chemo already at this point,
(37:18):
Last year, yeah, last year yeah.
Immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy.
Speaker 2 (37:23):
Immunotherapy, you know.
And again after the chemo, Iwas just working on myself and
just every day that passed I wasfeeling much better, stronger
(37:45):
and more at peace, and justreally I was feeling great,
really because, and again, andit's more internally than
physically.
But I think again, it justmakes you feel way better.
You can be physically perfectmaybe, but if inside, if you're
(38:05):
not, you're not going to getthere.
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 courseonline because I wanted to.
I wanted to start studyingsomething just to get my mind
and doing other things.
So I was doing it online and Inoticed that when I was writing,
(38:33):
my writing was off.
But when I say off, it was like, instead of, you know, just
being a straight line, it wasgoing down.
So I was like, hmm, that's kindof weird.
And I even mentioned it to myhusband and my husband he's like
you know what, maybe becauseyou haven't worked for more than
a year, you haven't beenwriting and all of that, maybe
(38:56):
that can be.
But again, you know, listeningto 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 andsay, yeah, you know maybe that
I'm like I don't think so.
So that maybe started on aThursday.
But I was seeing, you know, Ihad my doctor that I was seeing
on.
I was, I was getting my, mymonthly immunotherapy on Tuesday
(39:29):
.
So I was like you know what,let me wait, I'm not feeling
that bad, it's just somethingthat 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 isshowing good.
So after he's done because Ithought with my blood work
something was going to come up,so I was just waiting for him to
(39:50):
say something he was like youknow, everything is showing good
, your cancer markers keep goingdown, everything is great.
I'm like really OK, let me justmention something to you.
You know this happened to me.
Oh, the other thing was thatwhen I went to the supermarket
or to a store, if I was likedoing so many things, I got a
little bit dizzy.
(40:10):
So I was like, hmm, so Imentioned those two things to
him.
So he was like OK, ok, I needfor you to get a number right,
like right away, and I was likeOK, 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 todo it next week?
He was like no, no, no, I needfor you to do it.
(40:31):
Like, if you can do it today, Iwas 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 todo it right away.
So you know, they get incontact with insurance because
you know how insurance works.
They wanted the insurance toget an OK and that was going to
take about a day or no.
(41:00):
It was going to take about aweek maybe for them to get the
OK, for me to get the MRI.
So the doctor said you knowwhat?
I need you to just go to theemergency.
Tell them that I sent you, thatyou're feeling this and this
and this and that you need toget up.
Again, the same thing thathappened last year.
The same thing I went into theemergency.
(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
(41:44):
know you start thinking, oh myGod, but I, you know, I have
made all the work.
You know, I just feel great.
What's right, what's, what'sthe meaning of this?
I even, you know, I evenstarted talking to God.
I was like what do you want tolet me know?
It's like what you know, why amI here again?
And I was just thinking what,what else do I need to learn,
(42:05):
what else do I need to work on?
Because I, that's how I seethings now.
Because when things like thathappen, let's not say good or
bad, but situations they happenbecause for a better good that's
how I see it for somethingbetter.
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 surgeoncomes 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 almostthree centimeters and it's
encapsulated and we need to do asurgery right away.
(42:49):
That was like a Thursday and Iwas like what do you mean right
away?
Well, that you have to stay inthe 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?
And I was like, like doctor, youknow, right now I'm not even, I
don't know, I'm just in, youknow, 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 methe day to think about it and
just, but right now I don't, youknow, I don't, I can't, even, I
(43:23):
, I let me just digest all thisinformation you just gave me
right now, and then we'll talkabout it.
So he's like, okay, but youneed to stay in the hospital.
So that night I couldn't sleepand I was just thinking, and I
was just, I wasn't being I, youknow, and that's the other thing
(43:46):
that I used to pray and I usedto ask God for things or asking
why.
And now my approach to that iscompletely different.
I'm like so what are you tryingto tell me?
You know, just, just give methe strength.
If this is what I, you know, II trust in you.
If this is what I need to gothrough, I, I understand, I
(44:09):
trust you it's it's for a betterpurpose.
Just, you know, give me thestrength and and, and, you know,
let's see what happens.
And at that moment I receive amessage saying that, a message
from the universe, whatever youknow, god, you know, and it was
(44:33):
just saying don't, don't askanything to the surgeon.
Just, you know, believe thatthings 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 beokay.
So the surgeon got there in themorning and he was like okay, so
(44:53):
I'm ready for your question.
I'm like I don't have anyquestions, you're sure.
I'm like, no, I don't have anyquestions, I don't.
You know, the only thing I'mgoing to say is Jewish, and I
know this because he had likethe little hat I don't know how
you call it, yeah, and I toldhim.
You know what, I'm ready, I'mready for Monday.
I'm just going to, I'm justgoing to tell you, you know, put
(45:14):
your hands, put your hands inGod, do your best job, and you
know, we'll, we'll make, we'llmake this is going to happen,
it's going to be everything Okay, I really like you know what
you just said right now, and Ijust feel it that everything is
going to be okay.
So I was like, okay, good.
(45:35):
So then I had to stay in thehospital, because if I get out,
you know, just to get back inagain and just to get the bed
for the surgery.
So I, I, I needed to stay inthe hospital.
And that was really funnybecause I was feeling good.
So I was doing yoga in thehospital in my computer and when
the nurses came in, they werelike, okay, so where's the
(45:55):
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'snothing I can do, so I'm just
going to do my thing.
So the surgery, you know, theday of the surgery got there.
That was a Monday.
There was my mom, my husbandand a friend.
We prayed before going into thesurgery and I told them you
(46:16):
know, everything is going to beokay.
I believe it.
And even my mom told me.
She was like I completelybelieve everything is going to
be okay.
So I was like, really, that'sthe other thing.
You know that when you work onyourself and you believe and you
trust, everything is just mucheasier.
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, brainsurgery, you're like hello, yeah
.
So after the surgery, because Ididn't have any questions, I
didn't know that that surgerycan affect your motor skills.
I didn't know that because Ididn't ask anything.
(47:03):
So when I got up from the, fromthe surgery, one of the things
that made they made me move myhands, just to see you know how
everything was working and Ieven asked the nurse.
I was like why are you making medo these things?
She was like I was like I wantto sleep and she was like,
because we want to see, you know, there was any effect in your
motor skills.
I was like what?
(47:24):
Okay, good that I didn't ask.
I was like, really Okay, yeah,you know, because the surgery
can be, you know, it can affectyou.
So, motor skills, I'm like, ohman, okay.
So it's like, yeah, everythingwas good the next day.
They put me to walk, they mademe go to the bathroom and again,
you know, everything waseverything was fine, everything
(47:47):
was fine.
I didn't, I didn't ask anything.
You know, the doctor could havesaid 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'tstress about it.
Yeah, so so got out.
The recuperation was kind ofslow.
(48:07):
I had some really bad nights,but again, try to walk, try to
walk my dog, try to do the mostthat I was able to do, always
doing my meditations, alwaysconnecting with my, you know,
(48:27):
with just connecting to myspiritual beliefs and just with
my inner spirit and and andagain, you know it's just every
day is a learning experience andand and again I get a gift and
a gift and a gift.
and for me, like every day, I'mjust so grateful that I'm not
(48:49):
even thinking.
You know, you know what's goingto happen tomorrow.
I'm like you know what today.
Let me just enjoy the day withthe people that I'm at.
Yeah, if I'm going to eat withmy 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 turnaroundfrom one day to another that I
(49:12):
really don't know what's goingto happen tomorrow.
So I just try to enjoy my daysand and really enjoy the people
that that are around me and justbe super thankful of everything
that I have.
That's, you know, that'sperfect advice.
That's, I think, if worththankful.
Everything just use you see theworld with different eyes and
(49:36):
everything, just it lookscompletely different, and so I'm
thankful for that.
I'm thankful that, because ofmy 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 andand I see the, the benefit of
(49:58):
everything.
You have to again look at thewhole picture and there's some
things that weren't thatconvenient, that I didn't want
to, but you know that was theway to, that was the way to do
it.
And now I'm just trying to again, you know, still working on on
me and trying to, you know, eathealthy, trying to enjoy and I
(50:21):
was just with you on Saturdayand just enjoying, you know,
being with the other girls thereand just and being grateful and
continue to go on and try tohelp others.
If you know, if, if there's apossibility that I can help
someone, I'm there.
That's the meaning of it alland and just continue.
(50:45):
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 purposeright.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (50:56):
Yeah, yeah, so those are listening.
We just had her.
So your heart lives here in theWest Palm Beach area near me
and I actually train her a fewdays a week in the morning.
She found my information at thesorry center, which is a local
organization, and since I am acertified cancer specialist, I
had my information and they'restill.
I didn't even know they had sosad stuff of mine there, but
(51:17):
that's awesome.
Yeah, so we've been trainingand I just.
We just had our first inauguralbreasties who brunch luncheon
and so for me, I love connectingpeople more than anything like,
I just love the camaraderie,the relationships, the
connecting to help me oneanother.
So it's like breasties whobrunch.
And we do have a Facebook pageI just started, but it is local
(51:39):
for now.
Who knows what will ever happenwith that, but anyway, it's
just.
You know, like, like you said,you know if someone might have a
similar diagnosis to you myfriend, judith silver at Moffitt
Center right now she's goingthrough something that I can't
really do, but I can certainlyconnect her with.
You know another one of myfriends, maria, who ended up
with you know, blood cancer,like.
So it's all those like I'm Iactually had a therapist once
(51:59):
tell me that I was put on thisworld to be a connector, and I'm
like, okay, well, that's goodthing.
Real estate makes me aconnector.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (52:06):
And I really appreciate it because the thing
is that you know you, you haveyour family, you have your
friends, but it's not the samething when you talk with
somebody that has gone through asimilar to you.
You have that specialconnection and they understand
and you just feel so free totalk about it that you cannot
maybe with you, know a friendthat hasn't gone through that,
(52:28):
through with family, right they?
Speaker 1 (52:30):
really don't.
You know, really don'tunderstand.
Speaker 2 (52:32):
So that's that's really nice for us to have that
moment to get together and justyou know what I feel this way.
I feel this other way.
You know I felt this way whenthis was happening.
You know this happened to me.
It's really nice.
It's just you talk so, sofreely, and that's all.
I don't know, it's it's.
I have never met none of themuntil Saturday, but I just felt
(52:55):
like they were part of my groupof friends from long time ago.
So you know that it'sincredible.
I have never met them in mylife and we were talking.
They're like like, we'refriends like from years Correct,
you know, just to have thatconnection.
It was, it was really nice, itwas, it was awesome.
If you can bring more people,the bigger, the better.
(53:16):
Is just going to be, it's justgoing 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 thatwas 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 supportyou, be part of your journey,
you are on the Graham onInstagram, at Julian below 22.
And you don't know how longyou're going to have that name
for, because you're going tochange.
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 Iput his name.
So I think maybe I'm going tochange it.
Yeah, because then people arejust 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 overon Instagram the email, the
handle will be in the show notesthere and whatever podcasts
platform that you're listeningon.
I think you so much for beinghere and I'm so thankful that
you're in my life and I'm gladthat we can do this journey
together.
I think our spiritualsconnected in jive, so I think
that's pretty awesome.
I think we connected right fromthe get go, when we first
(54:38):
chatted on the phone and thenwhen we met at your place.
So I love it.
So thank you so much for beinghere.
Speaker 2 (54:44):
Thank you, thank you really is.
It's just I was.
I was worried when you saidokay, you know what I do a
podcast.
Yeah, I'm like, oh, my God wait.
I'm like, oh, I'm going to domyself 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'mguessing you guys will follow
(55:04):
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 whenlet'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 forgivingme the opportunity to share my
story.
And you know, and I'm here ifsomebody wants to talk with me.
Really, you know, I'm here if Ican help someone.
Speaker 1 (55:41):
I'm really happy to be there.
Yep, that was.
That's the gift that we weregiven after this diagnosis.
Right is we're going to helpothers.
Yep, yes, all right.
So thank you for joining us onBustin on a Breast Cancer.
We hope you found our podcastinformative, uplifting and
inspiring.
We want to remind you that youare not alone in this fight
against breast cancer.
If you are someone you knowneeds support, please reach out
to a healthcare professional,breast cancer support
(56:02):
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 marketfor a new home, looking to sell
or start investing, don'thesitate to contact me, your
favorite friend, realtor andpodcast host.
Together, we can make a realestate dreams of reality and
make the difference in the fightagainst breast cancer.
If you are someone you knowwould like to be a guest, please
(56:24):
reach out to us at smile atShannon Broscom, and thank you
again for the scene.
We'll see you next week.
I'm busting out of breastcancer.
Hey there and welcome to Bust an Out of Breast Cancer
, the podcast that educates andpowers and inspires those
impacted by breast cancer.
I'm your host, ShannonBurroughs, a realtor who found
her purpose at the intersectionof passion and pain while
navigating her own breast cancerjourney and loves giving back
to my community.
Having worked with many breastcancer survivors and their
families, I understand thechallenges they face and the
importance of raising awarenessabout this disease and bridging
(00:21):
the gap between the medical andfitness industries.
Join us as we share stories ofsurvivors, caregivers and
healthcare professionals who aremaking a difference in the
fight against breast cancer.
Our goal is to raise awareness,provide resources and create a
community of support for thoseaffected by this disease.
I have a mission of changing theworld one smile at a time.
So, whether you're a breastcancer survivor, a loved one, a
friend or just interested inlearning more, this podcast is
(00:41):
for you.
Let's bust out a breast cancertogether and make a difference
in the lives of those affectedby this disease.
Today we have a super specialguest and her name is Yohara
Lopez.
She's probably going topronounce it differently because
she has the the accent to gowith it, and I'm very not.
I think I did a good job,though no, I think I think you
(01:04):
did.
You have to work a little bit onit but you're getting there.
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 beinghere.
I'm so glad to have you on thepodcast and so you can share
your journey and your story withothers that maybe they can
relate.
Maybe they just need thatinspiration, that hope that they
(01:27):
need to hear today, because youhave a pretty spectacular story
and we can talk about how wemet and all the good things that
have come along with yourdiagnosis, because when we get a
diagnosis, it's a pretty shittything, but there are good
things that do come along withit.
We just have to wait and seewhat those things are.
Right, yes, that's so true.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
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 thefirst one.
Again, I think we're here tochat and just tell you my
journey and, if I can helpothers, that's the main idea of
(02:08):
what we're doing right now, so Ithink that's super good.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
So when were you diagnosed?
Speaker 2 (02:16):
I was diagnosed last year on February and it was kind
of, I think, like all of us, itgets us when we think we're
really inspiring or just doingour lives and working and doing
our things.
I just came back from a trip Iwas in Spain.
(02:37):
I came back, I started a newjob.
I was super happy with my newjob 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 andI started having a pain between,
(03:03):
like in the middle of my twolungs, maybe under the breast,
and I thought it was maybesomething.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
I ate something that Like indigestion kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Something like that.
Yeah, because the day before wewent out to have a big lunch
with my brother-in-law.
So I was like you know what, Ithink I went over the top and I
thought it wasn't digestion, sothe pain continued.
So you know, when we get thosemessages and it tells you, you
(03:42):
know you should get checked,there's something that is off.
We go through life gettingthose messages and we don't
listen to them.
But this time I did and I waslike you know what?
It was a Sunday and I was Ithought I'm going to wait until
Monday.
But then again, you know just, Iwas feeling off and I went to
(04:04):
the emergency, got there, I gota scant note, I got an x-ray
done, an x-ray done.
They checked all my vitals.
When they came back with thex-ray, they said they had a seat
, they saw like a shadow in myliver.
So I was like okay, that was.
(04:27):
You know.
That was like okay, they saidthat I had to stay at the
hospital to get further exams.
So you know, at that time I waslike oh, maybe, you know, maybe
it's, I don't know, like Idon't know.
You think so many things butreally never.
(04:48):
Really in a million years Inever thought cancer Really.
I was just, you know, maybethere's something and that can
be solved.
And they just want to checkeverything.
So I was like, okay, I'll stay.
I drove myself because I wasn'tit was just that pain, but it
wasn't that bad.
But it was again.
You know, it was something thatit was telling me that I needed
(05:10):
to get it checked.
I call my lawyer-.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
I always advocate and say you have got to listen to
your body.
You've got to listen to yourbody.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Oh my god, now.
Now I completely, 100%, listento my body, but I have to get to
this you know to where I'm atto understand that and people
don't listen to.
You know, the body is just, Ithink, is just so perfect that
it tells you you need to do thisRight, and we start just doing
(05:38):
things and we're like no, no,you know, I'm going to keep on
with my life, I'm busy, I haveto get to work, and but no, it
really, it really is a, it's aperfect body.
So I end up staying at thehospital.
I call my husband and I toldhim you know, they said this I
don't know what's going on.
I'm, I'm staying in thehospital.
So he was like so that's weird.
(06:00):
Do you want me to?
Speaker 3 (06:01):
go there.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
I'm like you can come , you know, bring me some
clothes.
But I really don't know what'shappening.
You know, they just said thatand I'm getting, I'm getting a
scan early in the morning.
So he was like, wow, okay.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
So that's such an unsettling feeling.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Yes, I was going to say I couldn't sleep that night
because I was just thinking.
You know, I'm always this issomething that I got from my
grandmother.
I grew up with my grandmother.
My grandmother was like areally positive person, so I
always tend to think positive.
So I was like you know what,it's nothing big, I shouldn't be
(06:42):
even worrying, I should sleep.
But no, you know I couldn't.
So next morning I got a scan andthey 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 theycall it?
(07:03):
Like like they said something Idon't remember right now, but
like a weird body, likesomething there before body.
Yeah, yes, they saw somethingthere.
So, and when they came backthey said that it was like they
saw, you know, something in myliver.
(07:27):
I don't remember right now.
So.
So I was like okay, really.
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 otherexams.
I had to get a colonoscopy, Ihad to get an endoscopy, I had
to get another scan.
(07:49):
It was like you know, a bunchof tests that I had to get done
until somebody came to say youknow what we need to talk.
But before that it was like Ithink it passed like two days of
getting a lot of scan you knowa test and doing a lot of exams
and here in the hospital for twodays.
(08:09):
Yeah, I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
You were in the hospital for two days.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
I was in the hospital for two days.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
Me nor, like I thought I just had an ingestion.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Yeah, yeah, um, so then it's so.
It's crazy because you know youget all this test done and
nobody comes and tells you youknow this, this is going on.
Everything is like like youknow, like like like hello, talk
to me, yeah, and I'm likewhat's going on.
(08:39):
But then, after, after thosetwo days, the first visit I got
was an oncologist.
I was like whoa.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
I was like whoa, okay where'd you come in the picture
?
Yeah, I was like okay, thenOkay.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
So so, yeah, this is, this is something else.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
This escalated quickly.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
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.
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.
(09:21):
Um, can I say, yeah, okay, hisname is.
His name is Dr Peles, he's fromSouth Africa and he will.
He grew up in Israel, so, um.
So I was like okay, so you knowwhat are you doing here?
He's like because all the examswe have done, there's a
(09:44):
possibility that that you know,it can be cancer.
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 knowsomebody like that, get into the
(10:04):
room, you know you want answers, so.
So he was like you know what?
I don't want to rush intothings.
I need for you to get, um,further exams.
Uh, I need to.
I need for you to get a CT scannow, um, just to know you know
where we're standing, okay.
(10:25):
So I was like, okay, we'regetting a CT scan, but again,
you know it's.
It's that time when you feelsomething that you know, this is
.
This is not that they want to domore 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.
Um, and I was like in shock mode.
Um, I continued to do what thedoctor said, but really I was
just thinking I'm dying.
You know, this is it for me.
I'm um, you know, this is theend of the road.
That's immediately, shannon.
(11:07):
I didn't think okay, so we'regoing 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 planningof 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'malways that type of person that
(11:29):
really does things and andcompletes things, and you know,
and, and, and I have my plansand I have to do this and so and
I took it that way I think itwas like a surviving mode.
So I was like okay, so I needto have this fixed, I have to do
this, the papers, I have toleave.
I was really thinking like thatMeanwhile you didn't even have
(11:52):
a diagnosis yet.
No, and I was already.
You know I was.
My husband came in and I toldhim and he was all like prying,
sobbing.
He was like, oh my God, and I'mlike 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 planningwhat we're going to do.
And he was just looking at meat are you okay?
(12:14):
You know what's wrong with you?
Like you don't understandwhat'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 reallyright now I don't even know
where I'm standing, I'm reallyoff.
So I was like okay, so thatcalled me down because I was.
I think I was requesting toomuch 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 thesethings and you're the one
talking to the doctor.
This is the first he's beenreally part of it.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
So at the moment, he was like wait a minute.
Yeah, calm down because rightnow, and I cannot even think, so
I'm like, okay, I understand.
So he was like you know what?
Just, you know, finish whateveryou'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, Igot the CT scan and the next day
(13:20):
this woman doctor comes in notthe same oncologist, another
oncologist and I was likebecause nobody came and said
anything just to confirm 100%that I was diagnosed with cancer
, that I was like, so when am Ileaving?
Because I already had all theexams?
Can I go home?
(13:41):
And she was like, no, you needto 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, youknow, it came back because they
did a biopsy.
They did a lot of things youknow I'm not gonna go into that
they did a lot of things.
So she was like, yeah, no, it'sconfirmed, you have cancer and
we need to start chemoimmediately because, you know,
(14:18):
we have to be really aggressive.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
And what stage were you?
Stage four, stage four.
And you thought you just saidindigestion.
Thank God, you listened to yourbody, 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 thatcomes.
(14:48):
That's why I asked you when Iwas leaving.
So she apologized, she was likeyou know, I'm sorry, I didn't
know.
You know, miscommunication,blah, blah, blah, blah, standard
yeah.
And I'm like, okay, okay, sowhat can I expect?
And she said you know it'sgonna be tough, but we need for
(15:08):
you to do chemo right away.
So at that time the first personI thought of was my uncle.
My uncle.
He's like my dad, he's theperson I look for advice, he's
the person that I look forsupport.
He's like my man.
And the first person I thoughtit was calling him.
(15:30):
I don't remember, but I thinkhe was in Europe.
I don't remember.
I don't remember, but I calledhim and I told him you know this
is going on.
So I quite don't remember thatcall, but I just remember that
(15:51):
one of the things I told him wasthat 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 momlives in Miami.
He lives in Miami and I wantedfor 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
(16:14):
that I was concerned about howshe was going to react.
So that was one of the firstthings I requested from him.
And then he was like, okay, youknow what?
Okay, I'll do that and I thinkit's good to ask for a second
opinion.
I would like to talk to thedoctor because you know, at that
(16:37):
moment you think you know youshould look for other options
and have other opinions whenthey tell you something like
that is happening to you sodrastic.
So I talked, you know.
Then the doctor showed up and Itold him you know my uncle that
you know he's like my dad andyou know, usually when I take
decisions I it goes through him.
(16:59):
I would like for you to speakwith him.
And he said you know, that'sfine.
And when my uncle startedsaying, you know, we would like
to maybe come to Miami and justget another opinion, he said
it's up to you, but because ofthe severity of how she's doing
right now, that will be riskybecause then you would have to
(17:20):
get an appointment and wait andyou know, I think the best thing
to do is to act right away.
So with those words you werelike, okay, so you know what,
let's just start right away andafter that we can look for
another opinion.
So immediately the day after Istarted chemo, I was super
(17:43):
scared because I, you know, Ihave never maybe met somebody
close to me that has had chemo.
I have heard stories, but neveryeah never knew how it was, but
I just heard that it was reallybad.
So I was scared, you know, whenit's the unknown and what you
(18:07):
know is just you hear justreally bad stories of people
even dying of getting chemo.
So I started my chemo that dayand I was like completely
freaked out.
I was really the day before Icouldn't sleep.
I was just, you know, thinkingwhat my body was gonna go
(18:30):
through.
I didn't even because usuallyyou go to Google and try to look
for information.
I was like you know what, I'mnot 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 Ineeded to get six rounds.
On the first one I felt weak,but it wasn't like that bad.
It was like weak and just hadpain over all my over, over over
(19:01):
all.
It's just.
And it wasn't like.
I cannot explain the painbecause I cannot tell you.
It's like a headache, like itwas 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 Inever had experienced before.
(19:22):
So I was like okay, so this isthe first one, let me get ready
for what.
What's coming up.
So then, after that, I wasdischarged from the hospital.
I came home, my mom drove andshe came to my house and the
(19:47):
first well, I'm sorry, let mejust go back when I was in the
hospital I had this I think he'sslash priest, psychologist and
other things he came to my roomand he said you know what?
I would like to talk to you.
(20:10):
When you're discharged from thehospital, come and visit me.
And I was like you know what?
Okay, he has like his office inthe hospital.
So when I went home I made anappointment with him and I saw
him like maybe a week or twoweeks later.
(20:30):
And when I came into his office, he says you know what?
I usually don't do this I don'tsee patients.
I usually I see them whenthey're in the hospital, but I'm
super busy, they don't havetime.
But for some reason, when I metyou, I just thought that I
(20:53):
needed to talk to you.
So I was like, hmm, interesting, okay, I'm here.
So I talked to him andsomething that he mentioned well
, he started asking about mylife, how my life has been, how
I got to that point.
Now I understand why.
(21:15):
At that moment I couldn'tunderstand.
I was like, okay, I'm here.
I really went because I feltthat he was really nice, let me
go and just get it over with,but not really looking for
answers or that I was gonna feelbetter At that moment.
I just I just decided to thinkthat that was it and that it was
(21:42):
over.
So I wasn't even thinking youknow what this is gonna help me
know?
Really, I wasn't thinking thatway.
So I went to see him and afterwe talked, I think for an hour,
he said okay, there's two thingsthat you can do Hold to your
spiritual beliefs and connect toyour spiritual beliefs.
(22:13):
If you want to get through this, and if not, that's fine too.
There's not good and bad, butif not, I'm just gonna tell you
that things gonna get worse andmaybe you'll die.
And I was like, but like that, Iwas like, okay, you know like
(22:35):
because even though I thoughtabout it.
But when he said, it was like somatter of fact he had, like you
know, I was like okay, but thatway he talked with me it was
like I don't know, like like awake up call, like I was in
shock and that just woke me up.
(22:56):
So after that I got all my sixchemo 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, becauseI just feel that the medication
(23:17):
is killing me.
And you know, I couldn'tunderstand how can a medication
was going to solve something orfix it if it was making me feel
worse.
So I had those internal battlesof thinking if I should
continue to do it, if I shouldstop, if I was going to be able
(23:41):
to get through this.
You know, a lot, of, a lot ofquestions come up when you're
feeling that bad and and you'rejust having negative thoughts at
that moment there's not achance for you to have a
positive thought.
(24:02):
Everything is negative.
At that moment you don't even Icouldn't even feel thankful
that I had my mom, that I had myhusband.
I was just, everything was justnegative, completely negative,
and went through that.
(24:23):
But when, when all that happened, shannon, I I started going to
church, I started to pray, Istarted to do things on my own.
I was really working on myselfBecause I understood that it was
(24:45):
not in my hands for me to tochange any outcomes.
Just what can I do with what Ihave now Right?
And for me that that was.
I felt like it was anotherperson when I started thinking
that way, because I just startedseeing everything completely
(25:11):
different and and even though Iwas going through such a bad
time, I have to, I have to talkabout the whole picture that
positive things came out fromthat.
Right, I wouldn't have maybechanged my way of how I think
(25:33):
now if that didn't happen.
And one of the things that Istarted to work on besides
myself, was me and how, and myrelationship, my relationships
with other people, First beingmy mom.
You know, we, we grow up withso many ideas in our head that
(26:02):
we're convinced that that's howit works.
So it's not programmed right.
Yeah, completely.
And I realized that, nope, wecan change that if we want to.
It's hard, we have to put a lotof work on it, Absolutely, but
(26:24):
you know it's.
It's, it's a day by day workthat you have to put into
yourself, but it's, it's worthit, because you see the effects.
You see the effects on yourselfand 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
(26:48):
that you're like, okay, youknow, 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 ina place that you think that
(27:08):
everything is done and it's overwith 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 awesomeoutcome because we are
programmed from our parents,because they do the best that
they can with the tools thatthey have, but they write the
narrative for us and then that'swhat we believe.
And then we've found it at somepoint and some people don't
even get to experience this.
But at some point you get topoint you're like no, that's not
, that's not me, that's not whoI am, that's not what I want to
(27:46):
be, that's not what I want to do, that's not like.
At some point you realize I'mgoing to live my life for me and
I'm sorry that that's not whatyou want, but you know, this is
my life and I'm going to live itfor me.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
Yes, yes, but but you know it takes.
It takes a lot for you to getto that point, not a lot.
Speaker 1 (28:02):
It's not easy.
It's not easy, it's a lot ofwork.
So it is a very freeing feeling.
And so now, like in hindsight,you can look back and be like oh
(28:25):
, this is what that doctor wastalking about.
This is what he meant.
Yes, yes, don't you feel like awhole new person now, like
you're just, like it doesn'tfeel free, like it feels so good
, right.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
Yes, it does.
I was going to say that it youknow, even though you go through
things.
I just something that I'm awareis that, yes, you know, this is
your physical body, but we areso much than that.
You know this is this, is justthis, and we can do so many
(28:59):
things.
Just, I think, just givingenergy to, to to somebody you
know that can be besides you, orjust saying a word that can
change their life, you can do somuch things.
So, and just, you know, whenyou have your mind just focusing
on you know what I'm diagnosedwith this.
(29:19):
I feel bad, this, and that you,you, you don't have, you don't
have that room to, to give thatpositive energy to others and
just to do much more than what,what we're doing, because, at
the end of the day, I think weall are here to to do more, and
(29:43):
I don't know how to explain it,but just to your purpose.
Exactly, it's like you have apurpose.
You're not just this bodywalking around and just you know
doing this and like a robot,you're so much more than that.
So, you know, after, after Ifinished my my six sessions of
(30:07):
chemo, and then I was getting alittle bit of more energy, I
started doing I went to aspiritual retreat in Columbia
and that was just.
You know, the retreat is calledtransformation and I can tell
you, yes, it completelytransformed me.
So that was one of the firststeps for me.
(30:30):
I needed that innertransformation for me to just to
understand that.
You know, you, you have to giveforgiveness, and, and one of the
first forgiveness I did was tomy mom, and that was a big thing
.
I even get emotional because itwas a big thing.
(30:51):
And when you start justacknowledging all that, you just
feel the weight coming off, soautomatically you're, you feel
lighter and you feel, I don'tknow, you just feel better, even
though you're going throughsome physical things.
Again, you know, just, you justfeel better, and and, and, and,
(31:17):
and.
The body is so intelligent thatit knows when you're happy or
sad, and so it, you know ifyou're feeling good and if
you're feeling grateful and ifyou forgive, automatically even
the body, you know, feels it andyou know I'm not.
I'm saying this because I don'twant people to be like, yeah,
(31:42):
it's not that, no, the thing isthat 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 howI felt, that I was just, you
know, I was just gettinghealthier from the inside, from
the inside.
That, I think is is really moreimportant.
Yeah, so so after that I, youknow, I started to recuperate.
(32:10):
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 wasdoing other things on my side.
I was doing homeopathicmedications, I was doing
(32:33):
acupuncture, I was doing massage, I was going to the beach,
meditating, yoga, doing all ofthe things that I was able to
control, because the otherthings I wasn't.
So, you know, I let that go.
I wanted to, because that's whywe are we want to control.
(32:55):
We want to control everything,because that's what happened to
me.
It gives us.
For some reason, it gives us atype of a security.
That is not right.
That's what we think.
So when, when we think we're incontrol is like okay, so I have
everything under control, andit's not that way.
So, that was one of the thingsthat when I started to say you
(33:23):
know what?
This is what I can control, andthese are the things that I
cannot.
Let me focus on the things that.
I can control.
And that's what I'm going to do.
And you know, I'm going to keepon going.
And this was something elsethat my uncle mentioned to me.
He said you know what, justfocus on the things that you can
control, because there are somethings you can't.
(33:45):
So I was like, yeah, you know,I listen a lot to him, I talk
when we talk over the phone, Italk 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, andthat's how you know.
That's how it started last yearand 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 tostop trying to control
everything because I reallycan'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 thethings that I can.
Life certainly is easier.
And then I find myselfsometimes I'm like no, I'm just
going to go ahead and try this.
(34:30):
And then I'm like slowly rollShannon, 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 theimportant 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 wetalked about, right?
I talk to myself, I'm like calmdown, 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 younot listening?
To me I was fine, but it's true, I want to take a break real
quick and have a word from oursponsor and then, when we come
back, let's talk about whathappened as you carry on with
your journey.
Speaker 3 (35:14):
Okay.
This podcast is sponsored bythe Shannon Burroughs Real
Estate Group, where we arecommitted to changing the world
one smile at a time, in givingback to breast cancer and our
communities.
Did you know that ShannonBurroughs, our founder and lead
realtor, is a breast cancersurvivor?
Shannon found her purpose atthe intersection of passion and
pain while navigating her ownjourney and wants to give back
(35:35):
and help others.
At the Shannon Burroughs RealEstate Group, we're dedicated to
providing exceptional serviceto our clients while also making
a positive impact in ourcommunity.
For every home sold, a portionof our commission goes towards
supporting breast cancerorganizations to help women on a
local level and be a resourcethrough their journey.
We believe that everyonedeserves a safe, comfortable and
(35:58):
happy home, and we're here tohelp make that a reality.
Whether you're buying, sellingor investing in a real estate
will be with you every step ofthe way, and when you're working
with us, you will not only besupporting your own goals, but
also helping others throughtheir breast cancer.
So chance the Shannon BurroughsReal Estate Group, where you
can trust that your dreams andvalues are in good hands, no
(36:22):
matter where you live.
We can help you.
Visit our website atSharonBurroughscom or give us a
call today at 561-494-6389 tolearn more.
Speaker 1 (36:33):
All right, so welcome back.
We are still sitting here withYahara Lopez talking about her
incredible journey of justfeeling like she thought she
just had indigestion and endedup in the hospital for three
days to have a stage four breastcancer that haven't intensified
already, so holy crap.
But she's come a long, long waywith her spiritual being, her
(36:55):
emotional health, her like justkind of getting in touch, and
not only because a doctormentioned something to you, it
just was kind of your path, andthen you were able to look back
and be like, oh right, okay, Igot it now.
So this, so your diagnosis wasFebruary of 2022.
So here we are it is October of2023.
And so you did your six roundsof chemo already at this point,
(37:18):
Last year, yeah, last year yeah.
Immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy.
Speaker 2 (37:23):
Immunotherapy, you know.
And again after the chemo, Iwas just working on myself and
just every day that passed I wasfeeling much better, stronger
(37:45):
and more at peace, and justreally I was feeling great,
really because, and again, andit's more internally than
physically.
But I think again, it justmakes you feel way better.
You can be physically perfectmaybe, but if inside, if you're
(38:05):
not, you're not going to getthere.
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 courseonline because I wanted to.
I wanted to start studyingsomething just to get my mind
and doing other things.
So I was doing it online and Inoticed that when I was writing,
(38:33):
my writing was off.
But when I say off, it was like, instead of, you know, just
being a straight line, it wasgoing down.
So I was like, hmm, that's kindof weird.
And I even mentioned it to myhusband and my husband he's like
you know what, maybe becauseyou haven't worked for more than
a year, you haven't beenwriting and all of that, maybe
(38:56):
that can be.
But again, you know, listeningto 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 andsay, yeah, you know maybe that
I'm like I don't think so.
So that maybe started on aThursday.
But I was seeing, you know, Ihad my doctor that I was seeing
on.
I was, I was getting my, mymonthly immunotherapy on Tuesday
(39:29):
.
So I was like you know what,let me wait, I'm not feeling
that bad, it's just somethingthat 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 isshowing good.
So after he's done because Ithought with my blood work
something was going to come up,so I was just waiting for him to
(39:50):
say something he was like youknow, everything is showing good
, your cancer markers keep goingdown, everything is great.
I'm like really OK, let me justmention something to you.
You know this happened to me.
Oh, the other thing was thatwhen I went to the supermarket
or to a store, if I was likedoing so many things, I got a
little bit dizzy.
(40:10):
So I was like, hmm, so Imentioned those two things to
him.
So he was like OK, ok, I needfor you to get a number right,
like right away, and I was likeOK, 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 todo it next week?
He was like no, no, no, I needfor you to do it.
(40:31):
Like, if you can do it today, Iwas 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 todo it right away.
So you know, they get incontact with insurance because
you know how insurance works.
They wanted the insurance toget an OK and that was going to
take about a day or no.
(41:00):
It was going to take about aweek maybe for them to get the
OK, for me to get the MRI.
So the doctor said you knowwhat?
I need you to just go to theemergency.
Tell them that I sent you, thatyou're feeling this and this
and this and that you need toget up.
Again, the same thing thathappened last year.
The same thing I went into theemergency.
(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
(41:44):
know you start thinking, oh myGod, but I, you know, I have
made all the work.
You know, I just feel great.
What's right, what's, what'sthe meaning of this?
I even, you know, I evenstarted talking to God.
I was like what do you want tolet me know?
It's like what you know, why amI here again?
And I was just thinking what,what else do I need to learn,
(42:05):
what else do I need to work on?
Because I, that's how I seethings now.
Because when things like thathappen, let's not say good or
bad, but situations they happenbecause for a better good that's
how I see it for somethingbetter.
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 surgeoncomes 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 almostthree centimeters and it's
encapsulated and we need to do asurgery right away.
(42:49):
That was like a Thursday and Iwas like what do you mean right
away?
Well, that you have to stay inthe 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?
And I was like, like doctor, youknow, right now I'm not even, I
don't know, I'm just in, youknow, 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 methe day to think about it and
just, but right now I don't, youknow, I don't, I can't, even, I
(43:23):
, I let me just digest all thisinformation you just gave me
right now, and then we'll talkabout it.
So he's like, okay, but youneed to stay in the hospital.
So that night I couldn't sleepand I was just thinking, and I
was just, I wasn't being I, youknow, and that's the other thing
(43:46):
that I used to pray and I usedto ask God for things or asking
why.
And now my approach to that iscompletely different.
I'm like so what are you tryingto tell me?
You know, just, just give methe strength.
If this is what I, you know, II trust in you.
If this is what I need to gothrough, I, I understand, I
(44:09):
trust you it's it's for a betterpurpose.
Just, you know, give me thestrength and and, and, you know,
let's see what happens.
And at that moment I receive amessage saying that, a message
from the universe, whatever youknow, god, you know, and it was
(44:33):
just saying don't, don't askanything to the surgeon.
Just, you know, believe thatthings 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 beokay.
So the surgeon got there in themorning and he was like okay, so
(44:53):
I'm ready for your question.
I'm like I don't have anyquestions, you're sure.
I'm like, no, I don't have anyquestions, I don't.
You know, the only thing I'mgoing to say is Jewish, and I
know this because he had likethe little hat I don't know how
you call it, yeah, and I toldhim.
You know what, I'm ready, I'mready for Monday.
I'm just going to, I'm justgoing to tell you, you know, put
(45:14):
your hands, put your hands inGod, do your best job, and you
know, we'll, we'll make, we'llmake this is going to happen,
it's going to be everything Okay, I really like you know what
you just said right now, and Ijust feel it that everything is
going to be okay.
So I was like, okay, good.
(45:35):
So then I had to stay in thehospital, because if I get out,
you know, just to get back inagain and just to get the bed
for the surgery.
So I, I, I needed to stay inthe hospital.
And that was really funnybecause I was feeling good.
So I was doing yoga in thehospital in my computer and when
the nurses came in, they werelike, okay, so where's the
(45:55):
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'snothing I can do, so I'm just
going to do my thing.
So the surgery, you know, theday of the surgery got there.
That was a Monday.
There was my mom, my husbandand a friend.
We prayed before going into thesurgery and I told them you
(46:16):
know, everything is going to beokay.
I believe it.
And even my mom told me.
She was like I completelybelieve everything is going to
be okay.
So I was like, really, that'sthe other thing.
You know that when you work onyourself and you believe and you
trust, everything is just mucheasier.
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, brainsurgery, you're like hello, yeah
.
So after the surgery, because Ididn't have any questions, I
didn't know that that surgerycan affect your motor skills.
I didn't know that because Ididn't ask anything.
(47:03):
So when I got up from the, fromthe surgery, one of the things
that made they made me move myhands, just to see you know how
everything was working and Ieven asked the nurse.
I was like why are you making medo these things?
She was like I was like I wantto sleep and she was like,
because we want to see, you know, there was any effect in your
motor skills.
I was like what?
(47:24):
Okay, good that I didn't ask.
I was like, really Okay, yeah,you know, because the surgery
can be, you know, it can affectyou.
So, motor skills, I'm like, ohman, okay.
So it's like, yeah, everythingwas good the next day.
They put me to walk, they mademe go to the bathroom and again,
you know, everything waseverything was fine, everything
(47:47):
was fine.
I didn't, I didn't ask anything.
You know, the doctor could havesaid 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'tstress about it.
Yeah, so so got out.
The recuperation was kind ofslow.
(48:07):
I had some really bad nights,but again, try to walk, try to
walk my dog, try to do the mostthat I was able to do, always
doing my meditations, alwaysconnecting with my, you know,
(48:27):
with just connecting to myspiritual beliefs and just with
my inner spirit and and andagain, you know it's just every
day is a learning experience andand and again I get a gift and
a gift and a gift.
and for me, like every day, I'mjust so grateful that I'm not
(48:49):
even thinking.
You know, you know what's goingto happen tomorrow.
I'm like you know what today.
Let me just enjoy the day withthe people that I'm at.
Yeah, if I'm going to eat withmy 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 turnaroundfrom one day to another that I
(49:12):
really don't know what's goingto happen tomorrow.
So I just try to enjoy my daysand and really enjoy the people
that that are around me and justbe super thankful of everything
that I have.
That's, you know, that'sperfect advice.
That's, I think, if worththankful.
Everything just use you see theworld with different eyes and
(49:36):
everything, just it lookscompletely different, and so I'm
thankful for that.
I'm thankful that, because ofmy 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 andand I see the, the benefit of
(49:58):
everything.
You have to again look at thewhole picture and there's some
things that weren't thatconvenient, that I didn't want
to, but you know that was theway to, that was the way to do
it.
And now I'm just trying to again, you know, still working on on
me and trying to, you know, eathealthy, trying to enjoy and I
(50:21):
was just with you on Saturdayand just enjoying, you know,
being with the other girls thereand just and being grateful and
continue to go on and try tohelp others.
If you know, if, if there's apossibility that I can help
someone, I'm there.
That's the meaning of it alland and just continue.
(50:45):
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 purposeright.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (50:56):
Yeah, yeah, so those are listening.
We just had her.
So your heart lives here in theWest Palm Beach area near me
and I actually train her a fewdays a week in the morning.
She found my information at thesorry center, which is a local
organization, and since I am acertified cancer specialist, I
had my information and they'restill.
I didn't even know they had sosad stuff of mine there, but
(51:17):
that's awesome.
Yeah, so we've been trainingand I just.
We just had our first inauguralbreasties who brunch luncheon
and so for me, I love connectingpeople more than anything like,
I just love the camaraderie,the relationships, the
connecting to help me oneanother.
So it's like breasties whobrunch.
And we do have a Facebook pageI just started, but it is local
(51:39):
for now.
Who knows what will ever happenwith that, but anyway, it's
just.
You know, like, like you said,you know if someone might have a
similar diagnosis to you myfriend, judith silver at Moffitt
Center right now she's goingthrough something that I can't
really do, but I can certainlyconnect her with.
You know another one of myfriends, maria, who ended up
with you know, blood cancer,like.
So it's all those like I'm Iactually had a therapist once
(51:59):
tell me that I was put on thisworld to be a connector, and I'm
like, okay, well, that's goodthing.
Real estate makes me aconnector.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (52:06):
And I really appreciate it because the thing
is that you know you, you haveyour family, you have your
friends, but it's not the samething when you talk with
somebody that has gone through asimilar to you.
You have that specialconnection and they understand
and you just feel so free totalk about it that you cannot
maybe with you, know a friendthat hasn't gone through that,
(52:28):
through with family, right they?
Speaker 1 (52:30):
really don't.
You know, really don'tunderstand.
Speaker 2 (52:32):
So that's that's really nice for us to have that
moment to get together and justyou know what I feel this way.
I feel this other way.
You know I felt this way whenthis was happening.
You know this happened to me.
It's really nice.
It's just you talk so, sofreely, and that's all.
I don't know, it's it's.
I have never met none of themuntil Saturday, but I just felt
(52:55):
like they were part of my groupof friends from long time ago.
So you know that it'sincredible.
I have never met them in mylife and we were talking.
They're like like, we'refriends like from years Correct,
you know, just to have thatconnection.
It was, it was really nice, itwas, it was awesome.
If you can bring more people,the bigger, the better.
(53:16):
Is just going to be, it's justgoing 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 thatwas 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 supportyou, be part of your journey,
you are on the Graham onInstagram, at Julian below 22.
And you don't know how longyou're going to have that name
for, because you're going tochange.
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 Iput his name.
So I think maybe I'm going tochange it.
Yeah, because then people arejust 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 overon Instagram the email, the
handle will be in the show notesthere and whatever podcasts
platform that you're listeningon.
I think you so much for beinghere and I'm so thankful that
you're in my life and I'm gladthat we can do this journey
together.
I think our spiritualsconnected in jive, so I think
that's pretty awesome.
I think we connected right fromthe get go, when we first
(54:38):
chatted on the phone and thenwhen we met at your place.
So I love it.
So thank you so much for beinghere.
Speaker 2 (54:44):
Thank you, thank you really is.
It's just I was.
I was worried when you saidokay, you know what I do a
podcast.
Yeah, I'm like, oh, my God wait.
I'm like, oh, I'm going to domyself 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'mguessing you guys will follow
(55:04):
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 whenlet'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 forgivingme the opportunity to share my
story.
And you know, and I'm here ifsomebody wants to talk with me.
Really, you know, I'm here if Ican help someone.
Speaker 1 (55:41):
I'm really happy to be there.
Yep, that was.
That's the gift that we weregiven after this diagnosis.
Right is we're going to helpothers.
Yep, yes, all right.
So thank you for joining us onBustin on a Breast Cancer.
We hope you found our podcastinformative, uplifting and
inspiring.
We want to remind you that youare not alone in this fight
against breast cancer.
If you are someone you knowneeds support, please reach out
to a healthcare professional,breast cancer support
(56:02):
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 marketfor a new home, looking to sell
or start investing, don'thesitate to contact me, your
favorite friend, realtor andpodcast host.
Together, we can make a realestate dreams of reality and
make the difference in the fightagainst breast cancer.
If you are someone you knowwould like to be a guest, please
(56:24):
reach out to us at smile atShannon Broscom, and thank you
again for the scene.
We'll see you next week.
I'm busting out of breastcancer.
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