For Mayra Lopez, family is the foundation of her life. A mother of five who loves to bake and spend time doing arts and crafts with her children, Mayra describes her home life as full of laughter and love. But earlier this year, that joy was tested when she received a life-changing diagnosis: breast cancer.
“When they told me, I shut down,” she said. “All I could think was, ‘I’m going to die.’”
Before her diagnosis, Mayra first noticed small bumps on her breast. “I’m one of those people who doesn’t put myself first,” she admitted. “I thought it was just fat and ignored it.” But as the months went on, one bump disappeared while the other grew larger—and a dimple began to form on her skin. By February, she decided to make an appointment for a physical at the Payne County Health Department. That appointment then led to a mammogram and biopsy — and in late March, Mayra received the call confirming she had breast cancer.
At first, Mayra struggled to process the diagnosis, feeling an overwhelming state of panic. But her children were beacons of hope and helped her to find strength. “I saw what my kids were going through,” she said. “That’s when I told myself, ‘No, I have to be strong. I need to show them that I’m still here.’”
Mayra underwent surgery in May to remove half of her breast and several lymph nodes. By June, she began chemotherapy treatments. Everything happened quickly, she said, and the physical toll was intense.
“It was hard,” she admitted. “But I realized this was a test — a test from God to see if we’re strong enough as a family, to see who really stands with you in tough situations.”
Though she initially told only a few close friends, word spread throughout Stillwater’s Hispanic community, and people rallied around her. This support anchored Mayra. “They started doing fundraisers for us,” she said. “Some brought groceries and cooked for my kids. When I ended up in the ICU after my fourth chemo, they made sure we were okay. The community was really close.”
Now, after completing six rounds of chemotherapy in late September, Mayra is preparing for 33 sessions of radiation and a possible future surgery to remove her ovaries. Through it all, her outlook on life has changed profoundly.
“I’ve learned to live life like it’s your last one,” she said. “Be the person you want to be remembered as, because you never know. Cancer opened my eyes. I want to be cheerful no matter what.”
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings renewed attention to prevention and early detection, Mayra hopes her story encourages others — especially women in her community — to listen to their bodies and seek medical care, no matter their fears.
“Don’t be scared to explore yourself,” she urged. “If you feel something, go check it out. You can never be wrong for taking care of yourself.”
Mayra admits that financial fear was one of the biggest reasons she delayed her own appointment. “I was scared because of the medical bills,” she said. “I thought, what if we don’t have the money and they tell me, ‘You can’t have treatment today?’ But I want people to know there are programs and financial assistance.”
Her advice for others is simple but powerful: act early and lean on faith. “If I would have gone sooner, maybe my treatment wouldn’t have been this long,” she said. “But God has a plan. I just have to keep trusting Him.”
Today, Mayra continues to find motivation in her husband and children, who have walked beside her through every step. “They’re my motivation,” she said.
To learn more or schedule a mammogram, please visit www.stillwater-medical.org.
