Hey everyone, welcome back to Top5 brought to you by DefinedTalent. We are a results driven service working with clients to connect them with quality talent as well as working to make an impact within the recruiting industry. We talk straight about today's professional world with real world professionals, experts in recruitment, job seekers and business owners alike. Have a question for us. Send it in and you might spur our next
conversation. I'm Tara Thurber, co founder and director of talent partnerships here at DefinedTalent. And joining me today is Camille Mercado, Chief Clinical Officer at Sound Advice Counselling and Psychotherapy. Hi, Camille, how are you? Hell, Tara, I am excited to be joining you today in this conversation I'm doing well.
Awesome. I'm very excited to have you here as well. So first and foremost, let's just dive in here. And why don't you share a little bit about yourself, your professional and your personal background too.
Well, what can I say I am from Puerto Rico. I was born and raised there. But I moved back and forth from here to there throughout the years. So I jokingly say I'm 50/50. And I get to enjoy the best of both worlds, right?
(laughs)
So I studied all my life I was told, yes, oh, a doctor might have been because of the glasses, right?
(laughs)
But my parents loved it, I would jokingly tell my parents when they would say that I was going to study that to take care of them. But then eventually I noticed after three years in biology that that was not my calling. And my calling was to help people but math was in the way.
(laughs)
So I went ahead and moved to education and psychology. And I absolutely loved it.
Yeah.
I really enjoyed it. I was like in the Student Counseling when I was in high school and all that stuff. So it kind of, you know, I noticed that it was kind of there throughout the years. And then I decided to do missionary work. And while doing missionary work, I noticed that a lot of people would just come over and just start telling me their life story, their problems. And I would jokingly say what? I have a sign that says talk to me? (laughs) Like my forehead. But I enjoyed it so
(laughs) much and I realized that you know if I'm going to give you a tip, counsel, the suggestion might as well be informed evidence-base, and what science backed up versus my opinion and (laughs) what I think you should do. So I went ahead and I studied my master's degree in biology and sorry, in psychology, psychological counseling, and I got my license as a psychologist
Because we get scared when we hear breast in Puerto Rico. And when I moved here to New Jersey, I received my license as a professional counselor. So currently, I am working on my doctorate degree in doctor degree in grief and loss. And it comes with the journey that we're going to talk about today, which was that last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Whereas I was freaking out and and my family as well. cancer, and that diagnosis catapulted a whole bunch of
amazing stuff. As bad as that sounds the diagnosis, right? But it just catapulted and that you know, I love that word because it was just not like baby steps, you know?
Right.
So here we are still going through our breast cancer journey. I just got back from radiation. You know, I got my horrible suntan going on. But we are alive and we're celebrating life. What cna I tell you about me? I love food. I am Labradoodle mom. I share with my husband, four kids. And I'm an adrenaline junkie.
I love that
And I collect magnets and that's about it
(laughs) That's fantastic. Camille, thank you so (laughs). much for for joining us sharing your story and you know I want to kind of let's talk about cancer - everybody - you know the word cancer I feel that everybody it's a big fear, right? And sadly, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States overall. And the leading cause among younger people, sorry, among people younger than 85 years old.
Looking at some statistics and doing some research on breast cancer alone accounting for 32% of the cases. From your point of view, do you feel there's enough education out there for the younger generation to be tested early? And I'm going to stock a question. What about genetic testing? Does it work?
Those are amazing questions. And the answer is to the first one, absolutely not, not even to the younger generation. No generation, it's not enough. I do recall, if you know, when I was, you know, when I received the cold water bucket over me, I was trying to think of what do I know about this? My youngest memory about breast cancer was a TV commercial that had red dresses, and it was like different types of red dresses. And the message of the commercial was, cancer makes no
exception, right? That's like the juice of it. Like one dress turned black or black dresses turn red, I can't recall. But I just recall, it was a lot of red dresses. And they were saying it doesn't matter your social status and doesn't matter your age, it doesn't matter anything. Breast cancer, or cancer in general doesn't really care. Right?
Yeah.
And that's my earliest and I was like, oh, that's like really sad. But we never look at things and say, Oh, that's gonna be me one day, we never really prepare for that.
Yeah.
Sadly, the amount of money and I don't want to push any buttons, I feel the amount of money that cancer receives goes mostly to research versus education. So I don't have quotes, and I don't have amounts. But that's my opinion, with my experience.
Right.
How much do I know about breast cancer? Not until it was my turn. Right? Not until I decided to ask questions.
Right. Wow.
Not until I decided to do research, not There's no history of cancer in my family. because it was openly spoken about in school, in church and at work, which is the places where we spend more time, in a Not my mother, not my grandmother, not from my club and a community and whatnot. So, I don't think father's side, not from my mother's side. So this kind of came out of nowhere, right? So do I recommend you do your genetic testing app salutely, it will give you a clear view, it
there's enough education. I don't think there's ever enough will help your health team to make better decisions, it will let you know, a background right? Maybe you don't know.
Yeah.
Maybe there is that gene in your family, but it hasn't developed. And breast cancer doesn't only happen to education. And how does genetic testing work? Well, I think that womeb. There is a percentage of men that develop breast cancer as well.
Wow.
Obviously it's more common in women.
Right.
If somebody says no, my mom has never had, but your father is carrying it. We want to know, and I think you have to be your own advocate. And maybe I'm gonna that I won't tell you my age, but I'll tell you this, there used to be a TV show called GI Joe.
(laughs)
And at the end of the show, were cartoons, right? They've recently made movies and whatnot. But I loved mention this again. But specifically, when it comes to it. Because I grew up with two older brothers. At the end of the show. The leader would say,
Yeah. because knowing is half the battle, right? So I believe that some people just don't want to know and they prefer not to know. But not knowing does not give you the upper hand, when genetic testing, I got my genetic testing done, and you know you can make better choices, right? And so if you do get this genetic testing it's just going to give your team a better picture of what choices they can make toward your everything came back negative. specific case. Yeah, genetic
testing, I recommend it. Go get it done. Wow. Is there a specific age to get this testing done?
Absolutely not.
Does it matter? I should say, doesn't matter what age you get this testing done?
Absolutely not. I think that if there is a history in your family, my reply is always going to involve communication. Because in this journey, I've met a lot of women that say, my mom has had breast cancer, and my sister has had breast cancer. And so you can tell that there is, quote, unquote, a coincidence that the females have it. But when they go get the genetic testing, it comes back negative. It's not funny. Yeah. So. So what I do, but we don't, we wouldn't know if they'd done right?
Right.
So there are different factors that are involved. But if I have it, and if there's a trend or lack of a better word in my family, I would definitely consult with your medical team, your PCP, your whomever the common trend is right? If it's your oncologist, if it's your endocrinologist or your Gastro that adapt, depending on what the common trend has been in your family asked those questions, and it's never too early, right? For prevention.
Wow. Such a fear behind it. And I think you're right, it's better to know, sooner than later than not know, at all. Because if you don't know, and you end up getting sick, then it's almost, you're at a point where you can't really back pedal.
It's too late.
Yeah, right.
I've heard so many ladies, in my case, tell me, I've received a paper saying I need to go back and I don't want to, and it just breaks my heart because I close my eyes. And I remember standing there in that radiology center looking at the lady coming towards me giving me a paper and saying, you need to do a biopsy. And that could mean something. And that could mean nothing. But it's still so intense. And fear
just kicks in. And a lot of people because lack of support or fear, they don't want to do it.
Yeah.
And I wish those papers would come with a little, and call these numbers for mental health support.
Right.
This is the group this is a, you know, this is a counselor, this is a you know, social.
Yep.
This is whatever, or FAQs or whatnot, because a lot of people keep those be I've met people that yeah, eight months ago, they told me I need to go back, let me tell you eight months, one month, two weeks, make a huge difference. And I say it by my personal experience.
Yeah. Right.
Two weeks made a huge difference in me. Because I went from it was just, breast cancer stage zero, it came up in the mammography. And my doctor said, a few work to pick your breast cancer, this is the one you would want, like nobody wants breast cancer (laughs).
Right (laughs).
Nobody wants it but I get it. They try to be good. And then the day of surgery, I had invasive cancer, right? So it's, it's that serious? Like, why wait, if you can just have that peace of mind, versus that huge question mark of I am scared. So I don't know what it is like, would you rather know and take care of it? Or would you just continue with fear and uncertainty? No.
No. You're right. You're right. You know, and kind of taking this into a little bit of a different direction. When we we think about companies and businesses. I mean, individuals spend most of their time most of their life working, right?
Yes.
Updated and complete health benefits, especially post-COVID is one of the number one things incoming employees are asking for and current employees are requesting. Yes. You know, how can companies ensure their work life balance, mental health awareness, flextime policies, all meet the needs of all employees, especially those who are dealing
with issues? Because if you know you have cancer, you're still working, you're still, you know, I want to say moving forward in your everyday life, but then there's that extra house that you're carrying. Now, it's that extra weight of the worry and the stress and, and emotions. So how can, how can companies meet those needs?
Tara, we could do a whole show just in the section.
(laughs)
This question is amazing. Okay. And I'll answer it from two points of view, right? I'll answer it as like, a business owner. And I'll answer it as an employee, right? Because I had a little scare before with with, you know, cancer and other conditions. And I think at the end of the day, you have to be your own advocate.
Yeah.
Okay. So as an employee, I'll give you my example, I lost my voice. And I'm a therapist and I had a toddler back then, and, and other kids, and I had a dog and I still life goes on, the show must go on, right? And my, my thought was, I need to keep working. Right? I have to keep doing this until I completely lost my voice. And when I went to the ENT, he said, your vocal cords are not moving. They're not moving.
Wow.
And so it wasn't until my employer said Camille, why don't you go on a leave. And I was like, what, like, I can actually do this, you know, and it kind of sounds ridiculous, but we pay those taxes we pay. When you get your paycheck, if anyone still opens any paycheck that you get by mail.
(laughs)
Or if you open that email that your have or if you open your app, you mark that pay stub, you know, usually we just go to the bank and see if it's there.
Right (laughs).
If you look at the breakdown, you're gonna see that those taxes are there for your own benefit. And if you need to take a Disability Leave, if you need to take a family leave New Jersey offers, and I'm sure every state, right? That is why you are paying that this is your hard earned money for moments where if you are in crisis, and if you are in need, you need to claim it and be your own advocate. Did I go on my leave? Oh, yes, I did, ma'am. And it was the best thing I
could do. And you know, coming from a mental health professional, it's really hard to think I'm leaving my clients alone. They need me. We have that that, you know, that mindset of Okay, what if, what if they go in crisis? What are they gonna do? What if they become suicidal? And or some reason, it's so hard to get, you know, our co workers that are getting brentside during the working study, you know, it's tough.
Yeah.
So, from a, from a point of view of business owner, we as business owners, right, need to make room for this communication. And to me sharing resources. It's very
important. To me, having team meetings is very important, especially when you have a company, which is the trend now that is more of telehealth, or working from home, and you don't have that physical connection with your employees or your bosses, you know, having that empathy and rapport and just like becoming a team is a little bit more challenging.
Very, very challenging.
You know exactly what I mean, right?
Yes, yeah.
I believe in having those weekly meetings with your team. And having your weekly meetings with your staff, right? Because if not, how are you going to know in what level like of stress of mental health or any other area of their lives they are? There's no thermometer, it's not like they're gonna call you up. And sometimes a lot of them are really stretching it. A lot of them are going through a lot of stuff. They don't know how to
say it. They don't know how to request time off or they don't know maybe they want to raise, maybe they want a what do you call it when you...
Promotion?
Thank you. Maybe they want a promotion. So they're really stretching themselves. Maybe they have several jobs at the same time.
Yeah.
So as a company, it's very, very important. Right? And yes, I know a lot of people one of the first questions we get asked is, are you offering health insurance or as a person I asked, Do you offer health insurance? But there are options out there? Right? So if we're going to, if we're going to tie this to breast cancer or any illness, there are options out, there are a lot of companies that help out. And maybe we're going to talk about a little bit
of resources later on. But yes, it's a very, very delicate subject, but especially for those who are dealing with health issues. Be your own advocate. Okay. Ask for special accommodations, if you must, and if you should, and if you will, because at the end of the day, if I'm not available, a company's going to find somebody else, because they need to continue with their labors.
Yeah.
But I, what am I going to find, right? if I'm not my own advocate, and at the end of the day, if I am my own advocate, and I become more healthy, and I asked for those recommendations, maybe I will heal, maybe things will get better. And if it's time to move on to somewhere else, then you are still going to be able to do that. Right? So it's very important that in looking at as an employee, and as an employer communication, I say would be the key, the key word.
Which I think is so so important. And you know, this goes to all companies out there. You still, there's, we're all humans.
Yeah.
And we still need that communication. And I think especially today, I think a lot of individuals are afraid to say anything, I think a lot of individuals fear losing their job or not getting that promotion now, not getting that raise, because they're, you know, air quotes over here, they're sick, right? And so I think a lot of individuals and that's then them holding it in and putting up on on a zoom call putting up a fake front, everything's great, everything's
fine. But yet, you're breaking down, and you're breaking inside. So how can you, you need to create that culture within the company to have a safe place for your employees to be able to open up.
And I you know, not to, like, stand so long in this question. But you mentioned post-COVID. Right? And I think the first thing that comes to my mind is that that that little video that had that song says had a bad day da da da dun.
(laughs)
And this guy is just breaking the photocopy. And I think looking at it from outside it, I was like, Ay Dios mio, you know, Mercy. Like, it's funny, and it's that, but if I was the co worker and sitting right beside it, you know, I'm taking the day off, because that's traumatizing.
Yeah.
Ya know, it's not just about that copier it cost 1000s of dollars is what are we going to do for the mental health of everybody that witnessed that? Right?
Yep!
And yeah, this person and so post COVID, we saw a lot of companies open up a new position of mental health, or wellness, in general. And of course, we know that for years psychology has had occupational and organizational, right? The deals with the psychology of the businesses, but post-COVID We saw a lot of companies, opening new spots, and being more aware of what mental health can cause. Right? And I think this is part
of the prevention. I think it's lovely, beautiful and so good for those companies, they will strive because when I feel my boss cares and knows my name and probably even knows my dog's name, which is Nana, by the way, Nana okay.
(laughs)
It just gives a sense of faithfulness, you know.
Yeah.
Faithful to that person because you feel like, well, they care about me and when someone cares, you want to go above and beyond, but mental health boom, you know, if you make way for mental health and I always remember and I tell this to my husband as business owners, I always remember my brother worked at this company that back in the days they would swipe, you know the cards, right?
Yep.
But once a week, a lady would come put her chair in one of the empty offices and offer free massages to the employees. I mean, like I wanted to work in that company just because of that!
Yeah (laughs loudly)!
So everybody that signed up would get a half hour, 20 minutes free massage, and I was like that company is into something. They know something, right? And I think that it showed the employees that they cared about there will be and this is way before Coivd more than 10 years, right? So when when employees give that, right, like
Yeah. I worked at a company that at three o'clock, it was not just tea time, it was stretch time. So one of the guys that I, you know, I loved him, too, that he was older Joe, he would get up and he would do 1, 2, 3. And he was stretching to the side and third in the back. It was 15 minutes, boom, and then everybody refreshed back to work. So I think those types of things really make a difference in the lifestyle and in the company in general. I couldn't agree more with you. And it brings me
back to memories. You know, over 10 years ago, I worked in Manhattan, and our office had a woman come in once a month and do chair massages. And it was phenomenal. You signed up, you did not want to not be at work that.
Yes! (laughs loudly)
And so you would sign up for it. And another actually our sister company, when I first started, they had afternoon, exercising sessions where everybody would get together and there would be stretching, somebody would lead stretching for 15 minutes.
Yeah. Yes.
And when COVID hit, we started doing it virtually, where we were working out virtually together.
Toddlers.
And it was you think, Oh, this is crazy. But it
(laughs)
Toddlers.
They don't like to be sick, they can be very, still it creates more of that mental health, that culture to allow one another, to be present and to be able to work through things. And I think it's also important too, individuals that very healthy (laughs). might be caring for sick people, or elderly or sick children, whatever the case may be, there's a big stress on those
(laughs) Again, I think it comes back to the people too. importance of mental health in the workplace. And it's not, you could have a well oiled machine. But if the pieces of that machine aren't being helped, aren't being supported, they're going to stop, they're going to dissipate, they're going to have their minds elsewhere.
And they are gonna drag the company the company, right?
Drag it, right, exactly.
Yeah. You know, when when something when the wheels are not, you know, you don't put WD 40...
Right (laughs).
...it's gonna squeak it's gonna, it's gonna drag the entire team versus facilitating the success of the company. So by you investing just a few minutes, right? In that personal relationship, I mean, it could just go a long way. Yeah.
I agree. Even today, we do on Mondays, the entire company does a stand up a video stand up together. And after that's done, I run a quick three to five minute meditation company wide, everybody can turn
their screens off. And it's just a way to kick off the week, but to just center everybody and help everybody just get grounded, whether they're listening or not, or whether they're getting off the Zoom before I even start but it's being able to hold that space for all humans in order to jumpstart themselves and be present and show up as their best selves. So important. So important.
Excellent and some people might not feel that they need it.
Right.
But if they have the opportunity to try it just even out of curiosity oh man, it makes a world of difference. So just offering that space I think it's just amazing for each company to have it.
I agree. So I know you know we've been talking about serious topic here. I want to step out of the box a little bit I love doing this and I love any guests on I like throwing a fun question in there.
Oh my (laughs).
Here you go. Camille, if you could zap yourself anywhere in the world right now and not have to deal with an airport. Where would you want to visit and why?
(laughs) Lord have mercy. Listen, I have a bucket list.
(laughs)
I'm serious about my bucket list. But I
Oh yeah (laughs). can't help it. I would probably pick Puerto Rico. And I know that's my island (laughs). But let's put it in context. Okay, so right now since we're talking about my breast cancer journey, I am going through menopause, right? Because it's part of my treatment. So I get these hot flashes, and then I'm cold, and I'm hot and all that, right? So what does that have to do with
So me thinking about all of us would be like, Puerto Rico? Listen, Puerto Rico is one of the places in the world where you can stand here, and you are in ocean, cold ocean water. And then you jump to the other side and you're in beautiful, crystal clear, warm seawater. Okay, yeah. on my desk, you get a hot flash, boom, I'll be in the Oceanside dolphins to the other sea turtles with the you know, there's a lot of snorkeling, there's a lot of you don't need
your passport. So really dealing with the whole airport thing, though. We're not doing it. It's just fairly easy. And so and of course, the food. Yeah, and then bonus, I get to visit my family.
Right. (laughs)
Yes, yes, definitely. Definitely. I think Puerto Rico would be would be my choice.
Amazing. I'm coming with you next time then.
The next interview over there from the beach, sipping a pina colada.
Perfect. Perfect. (laughs)
Which Puerto Rico? That's where it originated the pina coladas. There you go.
I did not know that. Fun fact.
Another reason to go.
Yeah, definitely.
Fun fact! Yes. Yes.
Amazing. So Camille, I would love if you can share. First and foremost, thank you for sharing your journey with us. And it's been so amazing to be to be able to get to know you, and just to be able to have open conversations around cancer in general, I
really just appreciate you. I would love for you to share with the audience, some tips, your top five breast cancer journey tips, because between having this conversation as well, as in my own personal world, I've had many people die of cancer I've had I have people living with cancer right now. And there's this big feeling of isolation
and loneliness. And I think that individuals, I think, what you mentioned earlier, where it'd be nice if you got the slip that okay, you have to go get a biopsy, but there was also a list of here are all the resources for you. And I know that doesn't happen. So by being able to speak to you, I would love to share some of your resources and tips for our audience with our audience.
Thank you so much and you know, on behalf of whoever's out there listening, that they are probably years in this journey, or starting the journey or not knowing if they want to start the journey or have a friend going through it, I want to say thank you, because I feel like just having a space where people can learn about these things is just so important. You know, I think, okay, top five, this was tough. This was tough. So let's see if we can make it. Yeah, you know,
good, good and worthwhile. I
(laughs) think the first one is, you know, how they say, there's like a show that says, Say Yes to the Dress as a thing. Yes to the checks, right? Because if you don't check, you don't know. Right? And that can jeopardize your life. And there is so much to live for. Right? So yes, get
the mammogram. Get all the suggestions that they give you get the next mammogram, do the mammogram again, do the bio, do more mammograms, if they ask you do the ultrasound, get the MRI, get the CAT scan, whatever your team recommends you, right, go get it done. Because that is the only way you're going to know that's the only way there's going to be a game plan on how
you're going to tackle this. And it is a fight and if you think about breast cancer, one of the things I see the most is woman with pink gloves, you know, like boxing gloves and all that stuff. And you know, somebody gave me like one of those magnetic stickers that says Fight Like a Girl and I have it in the bumper. You know, my car, and this is a fight and it's a fight in every You know, area of your life spiritual mental, not just physical, it's emotional.
It's familiar, you know, like, I, you know, I didn't know, you know, and I'm gonna jump on another one, the last one but. No, I'm not gonna say it. I'll say later. So the first one is say yes to the checks, okay? (laughs) Because when you check, you know. It can be a scare like I had one time, and then I had everything done. I didn't have to wonder it was negative. Yeah.
Then I had a second scare, got everything done, and and we were able to make choices. So say yes to the checks that would be be tip number one on our top five with Tara (laughs).
(laughs)
Okay, then we go to second.
Yes.
Be your own advocate, ask ask ask. Ask questions. get second opinions. Don't go with the first one only on doctors, on hospitals, on surgeries, on treatments on anything. Okay. I asked. Okay, I got my other mammo done. I got my bio, I kept asking. Okay, how was the treatment? What can I take? Do I need to take anything there? Sometimes you get there and you're like, Oh, I wish I would have known? Well, don't wish you would know, ask. Okay. So as as as be your own
advocate. We visited different doctors, we visited different surgeons, okay. We ask we did, we visited different hospitals, okay, we traveled an hour to this other hospital to get a second opinion. There is nothing wrong. Oh, I don't want to offend my doctor, offend your doctor! That's why they went to school. They you know, a lot of people just blindly accept whatever the doctor says, whatever the nurse says, whatever the team says.
Challenge them! You're not. They get bored with everyone saying yes. That's why they went school because they wanted a good challenge. Ask the question. Ask why. Ask ask us. That's tip number two, be your own advocate ask those questions. Do your research. Yeah. Tip number three. Okay, listen to your body. Mm hmm.
(laughs)
No one knows best than you. What's best for you? I'm going to copyright that one. (laughs) I love that. No one knows best than you. What's best for you. Okay, you do your research. You asked your questions. But at the end of the day, Tara, the only person that's going to know, that's going to feel and that's going to be in their body going through this process is you?
Yeah.
That's it. So trust your body, listen to your body. And I'll just give you a snippet of my case. I was going through a lot of things Covid hit me really hard. It messed up my system. All you know, you know how in the movies, you know, you see all these things going up and down, up and down. That's okay. So my system was bazooka, and I started developing a list of stuff. And when I was told I had breast cancer, they were ready for surgery. In my second visit,
they already had a date. And I said, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I said, I need this is not a marathon. And and I understand, please, nobody get me wrong. Everybody's journey is different. I'm just talking about my journey.
Yeah.
And in my journey, I said, if I go into surgery with all the junk that I have in my body and my body not being stable.
Yeah.
I don't know how I am going to heal. How am I going to survive? How my body? This is the major surgery we're talking about. Right?
Yeah.
And because breast cancer, it don't matter if it's zero, okay.
Right, yep.
The the options are the same. You either get a mastectomy where you remove the entire breast, or you get a lumpectomy, where you remove partially, you know, you try to save the breast, but it don't matter if it's 0, 1, 2, 3 or four. It's the same option. When people ask me oh, what stage do you have? I'm like, it don't matter.
Right (laughs) yep.
You know what I mean? Yeah, going into this I wanted to be as healthy as possible. So I decided, after consulting my team of doctors, PCP, my breast surgeon, my plastic surgeon, my everybody I could surgeon. I said I need to do a detox and I decided to do a detox for a month without sugar, without animal products, without a lot of fat.
Yeah.
Everything supervised by my doctors. It was homeopathic, natural da da da da dah. I don't know how to say it in English, but everything was supervised. And in my list of 10 things that I had, I came back with nine things completely stable or gone.
Amazing.
My experience. People that were there, they came back
Wow. Wow.
You know, because you don't joke. You without cancer, they came back without other stuff. That was not my experience. Okay. Everybody's experience is different. That's why you want to be your advocate. But did I have family members mad at me? Oh, oh, Mm hmm. I'll just tell you. I have a lot of family members that are in the medical field. They were not very happy. They told me you go there, I'll come back and get you. And I'll drag you out of there. don't play with cancer. But to
me, I listened to my body. And I'm a woman of faith. So I was praying about it. You know, I felt peace.
Yeah.
I felt God said go. And I feel that that choice helped me heal better throughout my transition. So we're talking about tip number three from my breast cancer journey. And it's listen to your body. I had friends that had breast cancer. They're like, what are you doing? Are you out of your mind? Go get your chemo, go get radiation. Go do your pills. Don't get the injection. You need surgery. Like right now whenever they tell you, and it would affect me, right?
Yeah. Yeah.
My body was telling me something different. With love. Did I put my phone on Do Not Disturb parts of the day? Yes, ma'am.
(laughs)
Did I have friends that did not call me? Yes. Because they didn't know how to deal with it.
Right?
But I listened to my body. Okay, so that's tip number three. Okay, just to do because I used to be a teacher. Say Yes to the checks. That's tip number one. Tip number two, be your own advocate. Tip number three, listen to your body. Now, tip number four, gear up for battle, get on the gloves, right?
Yeah.
Some things that helped me through the process. And now I'm talking about a little bit more physical stuff. Where the gel caps. The little gloves that you know, they sell some gloves that you put your hands and then you put the ice, I needed that I felt like you know, the superheroes like Iron Man when he goes like this, and then like, the laser comes out of his hands.
(laughs)
That's how I felt a lot of times, not even a morning in the evening. Because it was just a lot of heat, a lot of changes in the body. So did I get that? Yes, I did. I one of the things that I use the most were the pillow the mastectomy pillows. Right? And again, you can ask the hospital, ask, ask and you shall receive. I asked my doctor and he's like, Oh, I forgot we have a bag of those pillows here. So go ahead and ask for everything. Again, we're going back to number two ask ask
ask. Okay. They had it, so I would wear those pillows under. I looked online to see you know, yes, I got my port for my chemotherapy. Little things that you can put on your shirt. It's like a little pillow for the port so it doesn't give you know, discomfort now pillow for the What'd he call it for the seatbelts in the car? Yes, I got those too, and you don't have to get it I opened up an Amazon registry. I shared it with friends and family and listen people that love you will cooperate.
Yeah.
Don't be shy. Okay. And if you're shy then I'm gonna share with Tara I don't know where or how she's gonna put it somewhere. Some of the freebies you know there are so many companies out there that are sharing freebies. And I'm talking about care packages and I'm talking about a whole bunch of stuff but so my my top five in number four gearing up for battle where the cold packs or
the gel packs of the pillows. It was a sweater with pockets and Pockets of Hope they are now nonprofit organization, you can sign up for it. And if you had a mastectomy, or if you have any drains, you can put, you know, those little bottles that carry the drains there. That was a
big, big one for me as well. And because I did have support in Amazon, I found a like a little super soft fleece top that has zippers on both sides, so that when you go to a hospital and you're freezing like me, okay, you don't have to take your shirt off for them to put the medication or the chemotherapy or the lab work or whatever you're getting done. You know, through the port, you just zip down that part and open it, boom, fantastic. It was beautiful.
Amazing.
I still have it, I still use it, I still have my port. So I mean, you get a good, you get a good, you know, use for it. And it's cute, and it's warm. So I'm definitely keeping that one as well. So those are my top five within the top five, for gearing up. Um, then my last one, Tara would be, don't be alone. And this is a long stretch, because it does feel like a lonely journey. Right? I had friends that would say I just, I'm sorry, I haven't called you for months. I don't
know what to say. Or I had friends who said, when I learned about it, I was I was mad at God, because I didn't understand why such a good person was going through this. Some people don't know what to say, they don't know what to do. They are affected whether you know it or not. And I say that I'm writing the book, and the book is going to be called Cancer Saved my Life. And you know, for me personally. Once you know, my husband said, Are you going to
make it public? And I said, heck yeah I'm making it public.
Yeah.
Because I don't know how many woman or families are out there going through this. And they got no clue what to do. And this is intimate, right? This is something as personal as it can get.
Yeah.
And I you know, I still say that's too personal. Why are you putting that picture on Facebook? And he's like coming from someone that makes a book about breast cancer. We still talk about that. But you know, um,
(laughs) yes, don't be alone. Now. You know, in my case here, I noticed that getting mental health help was a challenge. I did not talk to a therapist, for my mamo, from my bio, for my surgery, and for my chemo. It was not until I was halfway through my chemo that I said, it's amazing to me that this hospital, I don't even know if I should say the name. Having this Cancer Center has not provided mental health therapy for me. And that moved
mountains. And within a couple of weeks, I was able to get it. Now, did I do my own research again going to be your own advocate? Yeah.
Yes. And let me tell you, sadly, I was considered too old. For some of the groups. There is a waiting list. There is a lack, not a lack. But there is such a high volume of need, that we don't have enough therapists. And then some therapists that were out there, don't accept insurances, they are only out of pocket. I have a list. Listen, I the hospital gave me a list. And I went one by one. And they were either not taking clients did
not accept my insurance. It was very challenging, to say the least.
Yeah.
So when I say don't be alone, I'm talking about all those tips that I gave you before. Be your own advocate, ask ask ask. We have to do this. And it's exhausting because I'm going to therapy.
Right.
I'm sorry. I'm going through treatment.
Yeah.
I have to make a gazillion decisions.
Yeah.
In my case. I couldn't go back to work. It was so crazy because my father started having heart attacks. And then his surgery was the day before my surgery. So they were in Puerto Rico. My mom wanted to be here. I wanted to be there. It was crazy. You know what they say when it rains, it pours.
It pours.
So, this is why not being alone is so important. Sometimes your best friends are not going to be there. But God will provide other people that will come into your life. And you're like, where did you come from? And those are going to be your angels, they're going to be your support. They're going to be there in time and needs, right?
Yep.
I've had people that are so kind that have sent me songs, other people send food, other people have sent different things that sometimes you're like, wow, I haven't heard from this person in the years. So, when you receive this when you see these people reaching out, be open. Okay. You can't just be so da da da da duh.
Right.
Tha you don't receive the love if you look at it this way, the love that these people are pouring onto you.
Yeah.
Okay. And, and it's okay. To say, I need support.
Yeah.
It's okay to call 988, like I did when I received the news. And I said, I'm not suicidal. I just need to start somewhere. And I was bawling in a parking lot. While it was raining, it looked like a movie. Okay.
(laughs)
But I did it right. And there are resources. If you don't, if you feel like you don't want to bother your family, or you don't want to bother your friends, quote, unquote.
Right.
There are resources out there that you can vent and you can talk and you can find sisters, to go through this journey with you. Okay, but if you see that people are reaching out because they love you, if they're reaching out, that means they can take it somehow, whatever you're gonna say or do. Um, and then, you know, also it's okay to dress up. Go eat out on your own. Go watch a movie on your own. If you got to do it, do it. Right? Yep. Go ask for all those resources
that I'm going to share. A few of you are listening, go grab a pen and a paper right now, as I'm gonna say these names and you want to write them down. I remember when they called me from Diva Day and they said you just won a facial!
Yes. (laughs)
It was beautiful, you know? So let me just really quick, here. You ready? Okay. Diva Day like I said, the Cancer Card X Change and it's x the letter X and then change. Okay, the cancer Card Exchange Send a Smile Today. Seamless accessory like accessories, but with chemo at the event, okay. I just don't not, don't ask me to say that when again, like
(laughs) We will make sure to post with this with keep going.
Gracie Foundation, Head Strong Foundation, Endurance, Feels Friend, Pockets of Hope. You know, Breast Cancer Freebies. And if you go to cancercarenews.com and you put breast cancer freebies, you're gonna get a list, go for a ride with these people. I signed up for all of them. And let me tell you, Christmas to me was very emotional, because I started getting all these packages when I felt like oh my gosh, I can't visit my family. It felt very
lonely, right? Like the season that and like, we're going through financial, you know, struggle because, you know, we were going through all this and investing in so much and doing so many things. And these packages started coming in and it was very, very, very special. Cancer Care News. I mean, they they're one of the biggest, of course, the American Cancer Association. They have a lot of resources there as well. But my first tip would be don't pay.
Okay, try to get it free. And then there are so many other in New Jersey options of, you know, groups, supports, but I'm gonna leave all of that with Tara so she can have it ready for you guys. And of course I'm available if anybody has questions I can give my my information and email or whatnot and she can share it with you guys. Well, so that you can see I put a little bit of my journey in TikTok if y'all want to check that out. It's Camille Mercado, and then the number 78 Camille
CAMILLE. Mercado, M er ca do and then number 78.
Amazing, Camille, thank you. So, so very much. I am so grateful and so appreciative for your time and for you to share your journey with myself and our audience.
Thank you, Tara. It's been a pleasure. I know, it's a lot of information, we're trying to, you know, cram it. But you know, I'm here at your service. If anybody has questions, and whatnot, you know, please feel free to reach out. And I think if I look back and I say what's the purpose of this? I think it's God has let me go through this. For many special reasons. Most of them I might not know, right now, I
still question them. But I think that when I get a chance to support other sisters that are going through this, whether it's through breast cancer or any other cancer or any other illness or diagnosis, or whatever it is, it just gives me it has given me a different perspective and I think it's opened so many doors that's why I'm trying to stay positive and encourage people that are going through any situation that they're going through because
life is beautiful. And I've learned to appreciate it more and when you see people around you and you see people like you, Tara, that you we connected randomly you know there's something special right? You know that united you know whether it is with a new friend that was a stranger or not,you're just it's just life is gonna be beautiful.
Thing thank you so much as we end and I'm tearing up water, water eyes right over here. Again, thank you and we'll make sure to share any and all resources if anybody wants to get in touch with Camille directly. Feel free to reach out to myself or we'll put everything when we get this podcast up and running. But thank you Camille, thank you so so very much.
Sending Virtual hugs (laughs).
We are DefinedTalent at DefinedLogic service coming to you at Top5. Make it a great day.