June 19, 2024 • 57 mins
About Camille:
With a Master’s degree in Psychological Counseling from Ana G. Méndez University in Puerto Rico, Camille’s academic foundation laid the groundwork for her impactful career.
A true global explorer, Camille’s path was uniquely shaped by her experiences as a full-time missionary for over a decade, traversing continents and engaging with diverse cultures. Her academic pursuits reflect her multifaceted approach to life, with double degrees from Southern Adventist University in Education & Religion, and Psychology.
Besides serving as our Chief Clinical Officer, Camille is also a fellow Mental Health Clinician. Camille specializes in providing psychological counseling to individuals of all ages – children, teenagers, adults, couples, and families. Her expertise has been honed through her exposure to a multitude of settings worldwide, each impacted by an array of disorders, diagnoses, and challenges. From Africa to Ecuador, and from California to Argentina, Camille’s therapeutic interventions have left an indelible mark on communities, churches, private and public schools, and beyond.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Camille Mercado (00:00):
Hey everyone, welcome back to Top5 brought to
you by DefinedTalent. We are aresults driven service working
with clients to connect themwith quality talent as well as
working to make an impact withinthe recruiting industry. We talk
straight about today'sprofessional world with real
world professionals, experts inrecruitment, job seekers and
(00:20):
business owners alike. Have aquestion for us. Send it in and
you might spur our nextconversation. I'm Tara Thurber,
co founder and director oftalent partnerships here at
DefinedTalent. And joining metoday is Camille Mercado, Chief
Clinical Officer at Sound AdviceCounselling and Psychotherapy.
(00:41):
Hi, Camille, how are you?
Hell, Tara, I am excited to bejoining you today in this
conversation I'm doing well.
Tara Thurber (00:51):
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 bitabout yourself, your
professional and your personalbackground too.
Camille Mercado (01:04):
Well, what can I say I am from Puerto Rico. I
was born and raised there. But Imoved back and forth from here
to there throughout the years.
So I jokingly say I'm 50/50. AndI get to enjoy the best of both
worlds, right?
Tara Thurber (01:25):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (01:26):
So I studied all my life I was told, yes, oh,
a doctor might have been becauseof the glasses, right?
Tara Thurber (01:35):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (01:35):
But my parents loved it, I would jokingly tell
my parents when they would saythat I was going to study that
to take care of them. But theneventually I noticed after three
years in biology that that wasnot my calling. And my calling
was to help people but math wasin the way.
Tara Thurber (01:52):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (01:52):
So I went ahead and moved to education and
psychology. And I absolutelyloved it.
Tara Thurber (02:01):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (02:01):
I really enjoyed it. I was like in the
Student Counseling when I was inhigh school and all that stuff.
So it kind of, you know, Inoticed that it was kind of
there throughout the years. Andthen I decided to do missionary
work. And while doing missionarywork, I noticed that a lot of
people would just come over andjust start telling me their life
(02:23):
story, their problems. And Iwould jokingly say what? I have
a sign that says talk to me?
(laughs) Likemy forehead. But I enjoyed it so
Tara Thurber (02:30):
(laughs) much and I realized that you
know if I'm going to give you atip, counsel, the suggestion
might as well be informedevidence-base, and what science
backed up versus my opinion and(laughs)
what I think you should do. So Iwent ahead and I studied my
(02:54):
master's degree in biology andsorry, in psychology,
psychological counseling, and Igot my license as a psychologist
Camille Mercado (03:01):
Because we get scared when we hear breast
in Puerto Rico. And when I movedhere to New Jersey, I received
my license as a professionalcounselor. So currently, I am
working on my doctorate degreein doctor degree in grief and
loss. And it comes with thejourney that we're going to talk
(03:26):
about today, which was that lastyear I was diagnosed with breast
cancer. Whereas I was freakingout and and my family as well.
cancer, and that diagnosiscatapulted a whole bunch of
amazing stuff. As bad as thatsounds the diagnosis, right?
(03:51):
But it just catapulted and thatyou know, I love that word
because it was just not likebaby steps, you know?
Tara Thurber (04:00):
Right.
Camille Mercado (04:01):
So here we are still going through our breast
cancer journey. I just got backfrom radiation. You know, I got
my horrible suntan going on. Butwe are alive and we're
celebrating life. What cna Itell you about me? I love food.
(04:24):
I am Labradoodle mom. I sharewith my husband, four kids. And
I'm an adrenaline junkie.
Tara Thurber (04:35):
I love that
Camille Mercado (04:37):
And I collect magnets and that's about it
Tara Thurber (04:41):
(laughs) That's fantastic. Camille, thank you so
(laughs).
much for for joining us sharingyour story and you know I want
to kind of let's talk aboutcancer - everybody - you know
the word cancer I feel thateverybody it's a big fear,
right? And sadly, cancer is thesecond leading cause of death in
(05:04):
the United States overall. Andthe leading cause among younger
people, sorry, among peopleyounger than 85 years old.
Looking at some statistics anddoing some research on breast
cancer alone accounting for 32%of the cases. From your point of
(05:24):
view, do you feel there's enougheducation out there for the
younger generation to be testedearly? And I'm going to stock a
question. What about genetictesting? Does it work?
Camille Mercado (05:36):
Those are amazing questions. And the
answer is to the first one,absolutely not, not even to the
younger generation. Nogeneration, it's not enough. I
do recall, if you know, when Iwas, you know, when I received
the cold water bucket over me, Iwas trying to think of what do I
(05:58):
know about this? My youngestmemory about breast cancer was a
TV commercial that had reddresses, and it was like
different types of red dresses.
And the message of thecommercial was, cancer makes no
exception, right? That's likethe juice of it. Like one dress
turned black or black dressesturn red, I can't recall. But I
(06:22):
just recall, it was a lot of reddresses. And they were saying it
doesn't matter your socialstatus and doesn't matter your
age, it doesn't matter anything.
Breast cancer, or cancer ingeneral doesn't really care.
Right?
Tara Thurber (06:35):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (06:36):
And that's my earliest and I was like, oh,
that's like really sad. But wenever look at things and say,
Oh, that's gonna be me one day,we never really prepare for
that.
Tara Thurber (06:46):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (06:46):
Sadly, the amount of money and I don't want
to push any buttons, I feel theamount of money that cancer
receives goes mostly to researchversus education. So I don't
have quotes, and I don't haveamounts. But that's my opinion,
(07:10):
with my experience.
Tara Thurber (07:12):
Right.
Camille Mercado (07:12):
How much do I know about breast cancer? Not
until it was my turn. Right? Notuntil I decided to ask
questions.
Tara Thurber (07:20):
Right.
Wow.
Camille Mercado (07:21):
Not until I decided to do research, not
There's nohistory of cancer in my family.
because it was openly spokenabout in school, in church and
(07:51):
at work, which is the placeswhere we spend more time, in a
Not my mother, not mygrandmother, not from my
club and a community andwhatnot. So, I don't think
father's side, not from mymother's side. So this kind of
(08:17):
came out of nowhere, right? Sodo I recommend you do your
genetic testing app salutely, itwill give you a clear view, it
there's enough education. Idon't think there's ever enough
will help your health team tomake better decisions, it will
let you know, a backgroundright? Maybe you don't know.
Tara Thurber (08:38):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (08:38):
Maybe there is that gene in your family, but it
hasn't developed. And breastcancer doesn't only happen to
education. And how does genetictesting work? Well, I think that
womeb. There is a percentage ofmen that develop breast cancer
as well.
Tara Thurber (08:53):
Wow.
Camille Mercado (08:55):
Obviously it's more common in women.
Tara Thurber (08:57):
Right.
Camille Mercado (08:58):
If somebody says no, my mom has never had,
but your father is carrying it.
We want to know, and I thinkyou have to be your own
advocate. And maybe I'm gonnathat I won't tell you my age,
but I'll tell you this, thereused to be a TV show called GI
Joe.
Tara Thurber (09:14):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (09:14):
And at the end of the show, were cartoons,
right? They've recently mademovies and whatnot. But I loved
mention this again. Butspecifically, when it comes to
it. Because I grew up with twoolder brothers.
At the end ofthe show. The leader would say,
Tara Thurber (09:24):
Yeah.
because knowing is half thebattle, right? So I believe that
some people just don't want toknow and they prefer not to
know. But not knowing does notgive you the upper hand, when
genetic testing, I got mygenetic testing done, and
you know you can make betterchoices, right? And so if you do
(09:47):
get this genetic testing it'sjust going to give your team a
better picture of what choicesthey can make toward your
everything came back negative.
specific case. Yeah, genetictesting, I recommend it. Go get
it done.
Wow. Is there aspecific age to get this testing
(10:08):
done?
Camille Mercado (10:09):
Absolutely not.
Tara Thurber (10:10):
Does it matter? I should say, doesn't matter what
age you get this testing done?
Camille Mercado (10:13):
Absolutely not.
I think that if there is ahistory in your family, my reply
is always going to involvecommunication. Because in this
journey, I've met a lot of womenthat say, my mom has had breast
cancer, and my sister has hadbreast cancer. And so you can
(10:34):
tell that there is, quote,unquote, a coincidence that the
females have it. But when theygo get the genetic testing, it
comes back negative. It's notfunny. Yeah. So. So what I do,
but we don't, we wouldn't knowif they'd done right?
Tara Thurber (10:56):
Right.
Camille Mercado (10:56):
So there are different factors that are
involved. But if I have it, andif there's a trend or lack of a
better word in my family, Iwould definitely consult with
your medical team, your PCP,your whomever the common trend
is right? If it's youroncologist, if it's your
(11:23):
endocrinologist or your Gastrothat adapt, depending on what
the common trend has been inyour family asked those
questions, and it's never tooearly, right? For prevention.
Tara Thurber (11:38):
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'tknow, and you end up getting
sick, then it's almost, you'reat a point where you can't
really back pedal.
Camille Mercado (11:57):
It's too late.
Tara Thurber (11:57):
Yeah, right.
Camille Mercado (11:58):
I've heard so many ladies, in my case, tell
me, I've received a paper sayingI need to go back and I don't
want to, and it just breaks myheart because I close my eyes.
And I remember standing there inthat radiology center looking at
(12:20):
the lady coming towards megiving me a paper and saying,
you need to do a biopsy. Andthat could mean something. And
that could mean nothing. Butit's still so intense. And fear
just kicks in. And a lot ofpeople because lack of support
(12:40):
or fear, they don't want to doit.
Tara Thurber (12:44):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (12:44):
And I wish those papers would come with a
little, and call these numbersfor mental health support.
Tara Thurber (12:53):
Right.
Camille Mercado (12:53):
This is the group this is a, you know, this
is a counselor, this is a youknow, social.
Tara Thurber (12:59):
Yep.
Camille Mercado (13:00):
This is whatever, or FAQs or whatnot,
because a lot of people keepthose be I've met people that
yeah, eight months ago, theytold me I need to go back, let
me tell you eight months, onemonth, two weeks, make a huge
difference.
And I say it bymy personal experience.
Tara Thurber (13:18):
Yeah.
Right.
Camille Mercado (13:23):
Two weeks made a huge difference in me. Because
I went from it was just, breastcancer stage zero, it came up in
the mammography. And my doctorsaid, a few work to pick your
(13:45):
breast cancer, this is the oneyou would want, like nobody
wants breast cancer (laughs).
Tara Thurber (13:50):
Right (laughs).
Camille Mercado (13:51):
Nobody wants it but I get it. They try to be
good. And then the day ofsurgery, I had invasive cancer,
right? So it's, it's thatserious? Like, why wait, if you
can just have that peace ofmind, versus that huge question
mark of I am scared. So I don'tknow what it is like, would you
(14:13):
rather know and take care of it?
Or would you just continue withfear and uncertainty? No.
Tara Thurber (14:22):
No. You're right.
You're right. You know, and kindof taking this into a little bit
of a different direction. Whenwe we think about companies and
businesses. I mean, individualsspend most of their time most of
their life working, right?
Camille Mercado (14:40):
Yes.
Tara Thurber (14:42):
Updated and complete health benefits,
especially post-COVID is one ofthe number one things incoming
employees are asking for andcurrent employees are
requesting.
Yes.
You know, how can companiesensure their work life balance,
mental health awareness,flextime policies, all meet the
(15:02):
needs of all employees,especially those who are dealing
with issues? Because if you knowyou have cancer, you're still
working, you're still, you know,I want to say moving forward in
your everyday life, but thenthere's that extra house that
you're carrying. Now, it's thatextra weight of the worry and
(15:24):
the stress and, and emotions. Sohow can, how can companies meet
those needs?
Camille Mercado (15:34):
Tara, we could do a whole show just in the
section.
Tara Thurber (15:38):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (15:38):
This question is amazing. Okay. And I'll
answer it from two points ofview, right? I'll answer it as
like, a business owner. And I'llanswer it as an employee, right?
Because I had a little scarebefore with with, you know,
cancer and other conditions. AndI think at the end of the day,
you have to be your ownadvocate.
Tara Thurber (16:00):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (16:01):
Okay. So as an employee, I'll give you my
example, I lost my voice. AndI'm a therapist and I had a
toddler back then, and, andother kids, and I had a dog and
I still life goes on, the showmust go on, right? And my, my
thought was, I need to keepworking. Right? I have to keep
(16:23):
doing this until I completelylost my voice. And when I went
to the ENT, he said, your vocalcords are not moving. They're
not moving.
Tara Thurber (16:33):
Wow.
Camille Mercado (16:33):
And so it wasn't until my employer said
Camille, why don't you go on aleave. And I was like, what,
like, I can actually do this,you know, and it kind of sounds
ridiculous, but we pay thosetaxes we pay. When you get your
(16:56):
paycheck, if anyone still opensany paycheck that you get by
mail.
Tara Thurber (17:02):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (17:02):
Or if you open that email that your have or if
you open your app, you mark thatpay stub, you know, usually we
just go to the bank and see ifit's there.
Tara Thurber (17:12):
Right (laughs).
Camille Mercado (17:13):
If you look at the breakdown, you're gonna see
that those taxes are there foryour own benefit. And if you
need to take a Disability Leave,if you need to take a family
leave New Jersey offers, and I'msure every state, right? That is
why you are paying that this isyour hard earned money for
(17:34):
moments where if you are incrisis, and if you are in need,
you need to claim it and be yourown advocate. Did I go on my
leave? Oh, yes, I did, ma'am.
And it was the best thing Icould do. And you know, coming
from a mental healthprofessional, it's really hard
to think I'm leaving my clientsalone. They need me. We have
(17:55):
that that, you know, thatmindset of Okay, what if, what
if they go in crisis? What arethey gonna do? What if they
become suicidal? And or somereason, it's so hard to get, you
know, our co workers that aregetting brentside during the
working study, you know, it'stough.
Tara Thurber (18:17):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (18:17):
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 mesharing resources. It's very
important. To me, having teammeetings is very important,
especially when you have acompany, which is the trend now
(18:40):
that is more of telehealth, orworking from home, and you don't
have that physical connectionwith your employees or your
bosses, you know, having thatempathy and rapport and just
like becoming a team is a littlebit more challenging.
Tara Thurber (18:56):
Very, very challenging.
Camille Mercado (18:57):
You know exactly what I mean, right?
Tara Thurber (18:59):
Yes, yeah.
Camille Mercado (19:00):
I believe in having those weekly meetings
with your team. And having yourweekly meetings with your staff,
right? Because if not, how areyou going to know in what level
like of stress of mental healthor any other area of their lives
they are? There's nothermometer, it's not like
(19:23):
they're gonna call you up. Andsometimes a lot of them are
really stretching it. A lot ofthem are going through a lot of
stuff. They don't know how tosay it. They don't know how to
request time off or they don'tknow maybe they want to raise,
maybe they want a what do youcall it when you...
Tara Thurber (19:42):
Promotion?
Camille Mercado (19:43):
Thank you.
Maybe they want a promotion. Sothey're really stretching
themselves. Maybe they haveseveral jobs at the same time.
Tara Thurber (19:49):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (19:49):
So as a company, it's very, very
important. Right? And yes, Iknow a lot of people one of the
first questions we get asked is,are you offering health
insurance or as a person Iasked, Do you offer health
insurance? But there are optionsout there? Right? So if we're
going to, if we're going to tiethis to breast cancer or any
(20:15):
illness, there are options out,there are a lot of companies
that help out. And maybe we'regoing to talk about a little bit
of resources later on. But yes,it's a very, very delicate
subject, but especially forthose who are dealing with
health issues. Be your ownadvocate. Okay. Ask for special
(20:41):
accommodations, if you must, andif you should, and if you will,
because at the end of the day,if I'm not available, a
company's going to find somebodyelse, because they need to
continue with their labors.
Tara Thurber (20:57):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (20:57):
But I, what am I going to find, right? if I'm
not my own advocate, and at theend of the day, if I am my own
advocate, and I become morehealthy, and I asked for those
recommendations, maybe I willheal, maybe things will get
better. And if it's time to moveon to somewhere else, then you
are still going to be able to dothat. Right? So it's very
(21:21):
important that in looking at asan employee, and as an employer
communication, I say would bethe key, the key word.
Tara Thurber (21:31):
Which I think is so so important. And you know,
this goes to all companies outthere. You still, there's, we're
all humans.
Camille Mercado (21:41):
Yeah.
Tara Thurber (21:41):
And we still need that communication. And I think
especially today, I think a lotof individuals are afraid to say
anything, I think a lot ofindividuals fear losing their
job or not getting thatpromotion now, not getting that
raise, because they're, youknow, air quotes over here,
(22:03):
they're sick, right? And so Ithink a lot of individuals and
that's then them holding it inand putting up on on a zoom call
putting up a fake front,everything's great, everything's
fine. But yet, you're breakingdown, and you're breaking
inside. So how can you, you needto create that culture within
(22:26):
the company to have a safe placefor your employees to be able to
open up.
Camille Mercado (22:32):
And I you know, not to, like, stand so long in
this question. But you mentionedpost-COVID. Right? And I think
the first thing that comes to mymind is that that that little
video that had that song sayshad a bad day da da da dun.
Tara Thurber (22:50):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (22:50):
And this guy is just breaking the photocopy. And
I think looking at it fromoutside it, I was like, Ay Dios
mio, you know, Mercy. Like, it'sfunny, and it's that, but if I
was the co worker and sittingright beside it, you know, I'm
taking the day off, becausethat's traumatizing.
Tara Thurber (23:12):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (23:12):
Ya know, it's not just about that copier it
cost 1000s of dollars is whatare we going to do for the
mental health of everybody thatwitnessed that? Right?
Tara Thurber (23:21):
Yep!
Camille Mercado (23:22):
And yeah, this person and so post COVID, we saw
a lot of companies open up a newposition of mental health, or
wellness, in general. And ofcourse, we know that for years
psychology has had occupationaland organizational, right? The
(23:42):
deals with the psychology of thebusinesses, but post-COVID We
saw a lot of companies, openingnew spots, and being more aware
of what mental health can cause.
Right? And I think this is partof the prevention. I think it's
lovely, beautiful and so goodfor those companies, they will
strive because when I feel myboss cares and knows my name and
(24:06):
probably even knows my dog'sname, which is Nana, by the way,
Nana okay.
Tara Thurber (24:14):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (24:17):
It just gives a sense of faithfulness, you know.
Tara Thurber (24:22):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (24:23):
Faithful to that person because you feel
like, well, they care about meand when someone cares, you want
to go above and beyond, butmental health boom, you know, if
you make way for mental healthand I always remember and I tell
this to my husband as businessowners, I always remember my
brother worked at this companythat back in the days they would
(24:45):
swipe, you know the cards,right?
Tara Thurber (24:48):
Yep.
Camille Mercado (24:49):
But once a week, a lady would come put her
chair in one of the emptyoffices and offer free massages
to the employees. I mean, like Iwanted to work in that company
just because of that!
Tara Thurber (25:03):
Yeah (laughs loudly)!
Camille Mercado (25:04):
So everybody that signed up would get a half
hour, 20 minutes free massage,and I was like that company is
into something. They knowsomething, right? And I think
that it showed the employeesthat they cared about there will
be and this is way before Coivdmore than 10 years, right?
(25:27):
So when whenemployees give that, right, like
Tara Thurber (25:27):
Yeah.
I worked at a company that atthree o'clock, it was not just
tea time, it was stretch time.
So one of the guys that I, youknow, I loved him, too, that he
was older Joe, he would get upand he would do 1, 2, 3. And he
was stretching to the side andthird in the back. It was 15
minutes, boom, and theneverybody refreshed back to
(25:50):
work. So I think those types ofthings really make a difference
in the lifestyle and in thecompany in general.
I couldn't agreemore with you. And it brings me
back to memories. You know, over10 years ago, I worked in
Manhattan, and our office had awoman come in once a month and
(26:14):
do chair massages. And it wasphenomenal. You signed up, you
did not want to not be at workthat.
Camille Mercado (26:21):
Yes! (laughs loudly)
Tara Thurber (26:22):
And so you would sign up for it. And another
actually our sister company,when I first started, they had
afternoon, exercising sessionswhere everybody would get
together and there would bestretching, somebody would lead
stretching for 15 minutes.
Camille Mercado (26:41):
Yeah. Yes.
Tara Thurber (26:42):
And when COVID hit, we started doing it
virtually, where we were workingout virtually together.
Camille Mercado (26:47):
Toddlers.
Tara Thurber (26:47):
And it was you think, Oh, this is crazy. But it
Camille Mercado (26:47):
(laughs)
Tara Thurber (26:50):
Toddlers.
Camille Mercado (26:51):
They don't like to be sick, they can be very,
still it creates more of thatmental health, that culture to
allow one another, to be presentand to be able to work through
things. And I think it's alsoimportant too, individuals that
very healthy (laughs).
might be caring for sick people,or elderly or sick children,
(27:14):
whatever the case may be,there's a big stress on those
Tara Thurber (27:14):
(laughs) Again, I think it comes back to the
people too.
importance of mental health inthe workplace. And it's not, you
(27:37):
could have a well oiled machine.
But if the pieces of thatmachine aren't being helped,
aren't being supported, they'regoing to stop, they're going to
dissipate, they're going to havetheir minds elsewhere.
Camille Mercado (27:50):
And they are gonna drag the company the
company, right?
Tara Thurber (27:52):
Drag it, right, exactly.
Camille Mercado (27:54):
Yeah. You know, when when something when the
wheels are not, you know, youdon't put WD 40...
Tara Thurber (28:01):
Right (laughs).
Camille Mercado (28:02):
...it's gonna squeak it's gonna, it's gonna
drag the entire team versusfacilitating the success of the
company. So by you investingjust a few minutes, right? In
that personal relationship, Imean, it could just go a long
way. Yeah.
Tara Thurber (28:21):
I agree. Even today, we do on Mondays, the
entire company does a stand up avideo stand up together. And
after that's done, I run a quickthree to five minute meditation
company wide, everybody can turntheir screens off. And it's just
a way to kick off the week, butto just center everybody and
help everybody just getgrounded, whether they're
(28:44):
listening or not, or whetherthey're getting off the Zoom
before I even start but it'sbeing able to hold that space
for all humans in order tojumpstart themselves and be
present and show up as theirbest selves. So important. So
important.
Camille Mercado (28:59):
Excellent and some people might not feel that
they need it.
Tara Thurber (29:03):
Right.
Camille Mercado (29:04):
But if they have the opportunity to try it
just even out of curiosity ohman, it makes a world of
difference. So just offeringthat space I think it's just
amazing for each company to haveit.
Tara Thurber (29:20):
I agree. So I know you know we've been talking
about serious topic here. I wantto step out of the box a little
bit I love doing this and I loveany guests on I like throwing a
fun question in there.
Camille Mercado (29:32):
Oh my (laughs).
Tara Thurber (29:34):
Here you go.
Camille, if you could zapyourself anywhere in the world
right now and not have to dealwith an airport. Where would you
want to visit and why?
Camille Mercado (29:45):
(laughs) Lord have mercy. Listen, I have a
bucket list.
Tara Thurber (29:53):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (29:54):
I'm serious about my bucket list. But I
Tara Thurber (29:54):
Oh yeah (laughs).
can't help it. I would probablypick Puerto Rico. And I know
that's my island (laughs). Butlet's put it in context. Okay,
so right now since we're talkingabout my breast cancer journey,
(30:16):
I am going through menopause,right? Because it's part of my
treatment. So I get these hotflashes, and then I'm cold, and
I'm hot and all that, right? Sowhat does that have to do with
Camille Mercado (30:26):
So me thinking about all of us would be like,
Puerto Rico? Listen, Puerto Ricois 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 theother side and you're in
beautiful, crystal clear, warmseawater. Okay, yeah.
(30:54):
on my desk, you get a hot flash,boom, I'll be in the Oceanside
dolphins to the other seaturtles with the you know,
there's a lot of snorkeling,there's a lot of you don't need
your passport. So really dealingwith the whole airport thing,
though. We're not doing it. It'sjust fairly easy. And so and of
(31:16):
course, the food. Yeah, and thenbonus, I get to visit my family.
Tara Thurber (31:23):
Right. (laughs)
Camille Mercado (31:23):
Yes, yes, definitely. Definitely. I think
Puerto Rico would be would be mychoice.
Tara Thurber (31:30):
Amazing. I'm coming with you next time then.
Camille Mercado (31:34):
The next interview over there from the
beach, sipping a pina colada.
Tara Thurber (31:39):
Perfect. Perfect.
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (31:41):
Which Puerto Rico? That's where it originated
the pina coladas. There you go.
Tara Thurber (31:47):
I did not know that. Fun fact.
Camille Mercado (31:49):
Another reason to go.
Tara Thurber (31:50):
Yeah, definitely.
Camille Mercado (31:51):
Fun fact! Yes.
Yes.
Tara Thurber (31:52):
Amazing. So Camille, I would love if you can
share. First and foremost, thankyou for sharing your journey
with us. And it's been soamazing to be to be able to get
to know you, and just to be ableto have open conversations
around cancer in general, Ireally just appreciate you. I
(32:17):
would love for you to share withthe audience, some tips, your
top five breast cancer journeytips, because between having
this conversation as well, as inmy own personal world, I've had
many people die of cancer I'vehad I have people living with
cancer right now. And there'sthis big feeling of isolation
(32:41):
and loneliness. And I think thatindividuals, I think, what you
mentioned earlier, where it'd benice if you got the slip that
okay, you have to go get abiopsy, but there was also a
list of here are all theresources for you. And I know
that doesn't happen. So by beingable to speak to you, I would
(33:02):
love to share some of yourresources and tips for our
audience with our audience.
Camille Mercado (33:09):
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 thejourney or not knowing if they
want to start the journey orhave a friend going through it,
I want to say thank you, becauseI feel like just having a space
(33:32):
where people can learn aboutthese things is just so
important. You know, I think,okay, top five, this was tough.
This was tough. So let's see ifwe can make it.
Yeah, you know,good, good and worthwhile. I
Tara Thurber (33:42):
(laughs) think the first one is, you
know, how they say, there's likea show that says, Say Yes to the
Dress as a thing. Yes to thechecks, right? Because if you
don't check, you don't know.
Right? And that can jeopardizeyour life. And there is so much
(34:08):
to live for. Right? So yes, getthe mammogram. Get all the
suggestions that they give youget the next mammogram, do the
mammogram again, do the bio, domore mammograms, if they ask you
do the ultrasound, get the MRI,get the CAT scan, whatever your
team recommends you, right, goget it done. Because that is the
(34:32):
only way you're going to knowthat's the only way there's
going to be a game plan on howyou're going to tackle this. And
it is a fight and if you thinkabout breast cancer, one of the
things I see the most is womanwith pink gloves, you know, like
boxing gloves and all thatstuff. And you know, somebody
gave me like one of thosemagnetic stickers that says
(34:52):
Fight Like a Girl and I have itin the bumper. You know, my car,
and this is a fight and it's afight in every You know, area of
your life spiritual mental, notjust physical, it's emotional.
It's familiar, you know, like,I, you know, I didn't know, you
(35:12):
know, and I'm gonna jump onanother one, the last one but.
No, I'm not gonna say it. I'llsay 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 hadeverything done. I didn't have
(35:37):
to wonder it was negative.
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (35:40):
Then I had a second scare, got everything
done, and and we were able tomake choices. So say yes to the
checks that would be be tipnumber one on our top five with
Tara (laughs).
Tara Thurber (35:56):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (35:57):
Okay, then we go to second.
Tara Thurber (35:59):
Yes.
Camille Mercado (35:59):
Be your own advocate, ask ask ask. Ask
questions. get second opinions.
Don't go with the first one onlyon doctors, on hospitals, on
surgeries, on treatments onanything. Okay. I asked. Okay, I
got my other mammo done. I gotmy bio, I kept asking. Okay, how
was the treatment? What can Itake? Do I need to take anything
(36:22):
there? Sometimes you get thereand you're like, Oh, I wish I
would have known? Well, don'twish you would know, ask. Okay.
So as as as be your ownadvocate. We visited different
doctors, we visited differentsurgeons, okay. We ask we did,
we visited different hospitals,okay, we traveled an hour to
this other hospital to get asecond opinion. There is nothing
(36:45):
wrong. Oh, I don't want tooffend my doctor, offend your
doctor! That's why they went toschool. They you know, a lot of
people just blindly acceptwhatever the doctor says,
whatever the nurse says,whatever the team says.
Challenge them! You're not. Theyget bored with everyone saying
yes. That's why they went schoolbecause they wanted a good
(37:06):
challenge. Ask the question. Askwhy. Ask ask us. That's tip
number two, be your own advocateask those questions. Do your
research. Yeah. Tip numberthree. Okay, listen to your
body. Mm hmm.
Tara Thurber (37:23):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (37:25):
No one knows best than you. What's best for
you? I'm going to copyright thatone.
(laughs) I love that.
No one knows best than you.
What's best for you. Okay, youdo your research. You asked your
questions. But at the end of theday, Tara, the only person
that's going to know, that'sgoing to feel and that's going
(37:49):
to be in their body goingthrough this process is you?
Tara Thurber (37:55):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (37:56):
That's it. So trust your body, listen to your
body. And I'll just give you asnippet of my case. I was going
through a lot of things Covidhit me really hard. It messed up
my system. All you know, youknow how in the movies, you
know, you see all these thingsgoing up and down, up and down.
(38:17):
That's okay. So my system wasbazooka, and I started
developing a list of stuff. Andwhen I was told I had breast
cancer, they were ready forsurgery. In my second visit,
they already had a date. And Isaid, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa. I said, I needthis is not a marathon. And and
(38:43):
I understand, please, nobody getme wrong. Everybody's journey is
different. I'm just talkingabout my journey.
Tara Thurber (38:52):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (38:52):
And in my journey, I said, if I go into
surgery with all the junk that Ihave in my body and my body not
being stable.
Tara Thurber (38:59):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (39:01):
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'retalking about. Right?
Tara Thurber (39:10):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (39:11):
And because breast cancer, it don't matter
if it's zero, okay.
Tara Thurber (39:15):
Right, yep.
Camille Mercado (39:16):
The the options are the same. You either get a
mastectomy where you remove theentire breast, or you get a
lumpectomy, where you removepartially, you know, you try to
save the breast, but it don'tmatter if it's 0, 1, 2, 3 or
four. It's the same option. Whenpeople ask me oh, what stage do
you have? I'm like, it don'tmatter.
Tara Thurber (39:38):
Right (laughs) yep.
Camille Mercado (39:39):
You know what I mean? Yeah, going into this I
wanted to be as healthy aspossible. So I decided, after
consulting my team of doctors,PCP, my breast surgeon, my
plastic surgeon, my everybody Icould surgeon. I said I need to
do a detox and I decided to do adetox for a month without sugar,
(40:06):
without animal products, withouta lot of fat.
Tara Thurber (40:11):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (40:13):
Everything supervised by my doctors. It was
homeopathic, natural da da da dadah. I don't know how to say it
in English, but everything wassupervised. And in my list of 10
things that I had, I came backwith nine things completely
(40:34):
stable or gone.
Tara Thurber (40:36):
Amazing.
Camille Mercado (40:37):
My experience.
People thatwere there, they came back
Tara Thurber (40:39):
Wow.
Wow.
Camille Mercado (40:41):
You know, because you don't joke. You
without cancer, they came backwithout other stuff. That was
not my experience. Okay.
Everybody's experience isdifferent. That's why you want
to be your advocate. But did Ihave family members mad at me?
Oh, oh, Mm hmm. I'll just tellyou. I have a lot of family
members that are in the medicalfield. They were not very happy.
(41:02):
They told me you go there, I'llcome back and get you. And I'll
drag you out of there.
don't play with cancer. But tome, I listened to my body. And
I'm a woman of faith. So I waspraying about it. You know, I
felt peace.
Tara Thurber (41:22):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (41:22):
I felt God said go. And I feel that that choice
helped me heal better throughoutmy transition. So we're talking
about tip number three from mybreast cancer journey. And it's
listen to your body. I hadfriends that had breast cancer.
They're like, what are youdoing? Are you out of your mind?
(41:43):
Go get your chemo, go getradiation. Go do your pills.
Don't get the injection. Youneed surgery. Like right now
whenever they tell you, and itwould affect me, right?
Tara Thurber (41:56):
Yeah. Yeah.
Camille Mercado (41:57):
My body was telling me something different.
With love. Did I put my phone onDo Not Disturb parts of the day?
Yes, ma'am.
Tara Thurber (42:07):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (42:08):
Did I have friends that did not call me?
Yes. Because they didn't knowhow to deal with it.
Tara Thurber (42:13):
Right?
Camille Mercado (42:14):
But I listened to my body. Okay, so that's tip
number three. Okay, just to dobecause I used to be a teacher.
Say Yes to the checks. That'stip number one. Tip number two,
be your own advocate. Tip numberthree, listen to your body. Now,
tip number four, gear up forbattle, get on the gloves,
(42:36):
right?
Tara Thurber (42:37):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (42:37):
Some things that helped me through the
process. And now I'm talkingabout a little bit more physical
stuff. Where the gel caps. Thelittle gloves that you know,
they sell some gloves that youput your hands and then you put
the ice, I needed that I feltlike you know, the superheroes
(42:59):
like Iron Man when he goes likethis, and then like, the laser
comes out of his hands.
Tara Thurber (43:04):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (43:04):
That's how I felt a lot of times, not even a
morning in the evening. Becauseit was just a lot of heat, a lot
of changes in the body. So did Iget that? Yes, I did. I one of
the things that I use the mostwere the pillow the mastectomy
pillows. Right? And again, youcan ask the hospital, ask, ask
(43:29):
and you shall receive. I askedmy doctor and he's like, Oh, I
forgot we have a bag of thosepillows here. So go ahead and
ask for everything. Again, we'regoing back to number two ask ask
ask. Okay. They had it, so Iwould wear those pillows under.
I looked online to see you know,yes, I got my port for my
(43:51):
chemotherapy. Little things thatyou can put on your shirt. It's
like a little pillow for theport so it doesn't give you
know, discomfort now pillow forthe What'd he call it for the
seatbelts in the car? Yes, I gotthose too, and you don't have to
get it I opened up an Amazonregistry. I shared it with
(44:14):
friends and family and listenpeople that love you will
cooperate.
Tara Thurber (44:19):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (44:19):
Don't be shy.
Okay. And if you're shy then I'mgonna share with Tara I don't
know where or how she's gonnaput it somewhere. Some of the
freebies you know there are somany companies out there that
are sharing freebies. And I'mtalking about care packages and
I'm talking about a whole bunchof stuff but so my my top five
(44:40):
in number four gearing up forbattle where the cold packs or
the gel packs of the pillows. Itwas a sweater with pockets and
Pockets of Hope they are nownonprofit organization, you can
sign up for it. And if you had amastectomy, or if you have any
(45:03):
drains, you can put, you know,those little bottles that carry
the drains there. That was abig, big one for me as well. And
because I did have support inAmazon, I found a like a little
super soft fleece top that haszippers on both sides, so that
(45:23):
when you go to a hospital andyou're freezing like me, okay,
you don't have to take yourshirt off for them to put the
medication or the chemotherapyor 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.
Tara Thurber (45:46):
Amazing.
Camille Mercado (45:47):
I still have it, I still use it, I still have
my port. So I mean, you get agood, you get a good, you know,
use for it. And it's cute, andit's warm. So I'm definitely
keeping that one as well. Sothose are my top five within the
top five, for gearing up. Um,then my last one, Tara would be,
(46:07):
don't be alone. And this is along stretch, because it does
feel like a lonely journey.
Right? I had friends that wouldsay I just, I'm sorry, I haven't
called you for months. I don'tknow what to say. Or I had
friends who said, when I learnedabout it, I was I was mad at
(46:31):
God, because I didn't understandwhy such a good person was going
through this. Some people don'tknow what to say, they don't
know what to do. They areaffected whether you know it or
not. And I say that I'm writingthe book, and the book is going
(46:52):
to be called Cancer Saved myLife. And you know, for me
personally. Once you know, myhusband said, Are you going to
make it public? And I said, heckyeah I'm making it public.
Tara Thurber (47:09):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (47:09):
Because I don't know how many woman or families
are out there going throughthis. And they got no clue what
to do. And this is intimate,right? This is something as
personal as it can get.
Tara Thurber (47:22):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (47:23):
And I you know, I still say that's too personal.
Why are you putting that pictureon Facebook? And he's like
coming from someone that makes abook about breast cancer.
We still talkabout that. But you know, um,
Tara Thurber (47:34):
(laughs) yes, don't be alone. Now. You
know, in my case here, I noticedthat getting mental health help
was a challenge. I did not talkto a therapist, for my mamo,
(47:55):
from my bio, for my surgery, andfor my chemo. It was not until I
was halfway through my chemothat I said, it's amazing to me
that this hospital, I don't evenknow if I should say the name.
Having this Cancer Center hasnot provided mental health
(48:19):
therapy for me. And that movedmountains. And within a couple
of weeks, I was able to get it.
Now, did I do my own researchagain going to be your own
advocate?
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (48:33):
Yes. And let me tell you, sadly, I was
considered too old. For some ofthe groups. There is a waiting
list. There is a lack, not alack. But there is such a high
volume of need, that we don'thave enough therapists. And then
some therapists that were outthere, don't accept insurances,
(48:57):
they are only out of pocket. Ihave a list. Listen, I the
hospital gave me a list. And Iwent one by one. And they were
either not taking clients didnot accept my insurance. It was
very challenging, to say theleast.
Tara Thurber (49:15):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (49:15):
So when I say don't be alone, I'm talking
about all those tips that I gaveyou before. Be your own
advocate, ask ask ask. We haveto do this. And it's exhausting
because I'm going to therapy.
Tara Thurber (49:31):
Right.
Camille Mercado (49:32):
I'm sorry. I'm going through treatment.
Tara Thurber (49:34):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (49:35):
I have to make a gazillion decisions.
Tara Thurber (49:37):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (49:38):
In my case. I couldn't go back to work. It was
so crazy because my fatherstarted having heart attacks.
And then his surgery was the daybefore my surgery. So they were
in Puerto Rico. My mom wanted tobe here. I wanted to be there.
(49:59):
It was crazy. You know what theysay when it rains, it pours.
Tara Thurber (50:02):
It pours.
Camille Mercado (50:03):
So, this is why not being alone is so important.
Sometimes your best friends arenot going to be there. But God
will provide other people thatwill come into your life. And
you're like, where did you comefrom? And those are going to be
your angels, they're going to beyour support. They're going to
(50:24):
be there in time and needs,right?
Tara Thurber (50:26):
Yep.
Camille Mercado (50:26):
I've had people that are so kind that have sent
me songs, other people sendfood, other people have sent
different things that sometimesyou're like, wow, I haven't
heard from this person in theyears. So, when you receive this
when you see these peoplereaching out, be open. Okay. You
(50:52):
can't just be so da da da daduh.
Tara Thurber (50:56):
Right.
Camille Mercado (50:56):
Tha you don't receive the love if you look at
it this way, the love that thesepeople are pouring onto you.
Tara Thurber (51:04):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (51:04):
Okay. And, and it's okay. To say, I need
support.
Tara Thurber (51:11):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (51:11):
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 wasbawling in a parking lot. While
it was raining, it looked like amovie. Okay.
Tara Thurber (51:28):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (51:28):
But I did it right. And there are resources.
If you don't, if you feel likeyou don't want to bother your
family, or you don't want tobother your friends, quote,
unquote.
Tara Thurber (51:40):
Right.
Camille Mercado (51:41):
There are resources out there that you can
vent and you can talk and youcan find sisters, to go through
this journey with you. Okay, butif you see that people are
reaching out because they loveyou, if they're reaching out,
that means they can take itsomehow, whatever you're gonna
say or do. Um, and then, youknow, also it's okay to dress
(52:03):
up. Go eat out on your own. Gowatch a movie on your own. If
you got to do it, do it. Right?
Yep.
Go ask for all those resourcesthat I'm going to share. A few
of you are listening, go grab apen and a paper right now, as
I'm gonna say these names andyou want to write them down. I
remember when they called mefrom Diva Day and they said you
(52:27):
just won a facial!
Tara Thurber (52:31):
Yes. (laughs)
Camille Mercado (52:34):
It was beautiful, you know? So let me
just really quick, here. Youready? Okay. Diva Day like I
said, the Cancer Card X Changeand it's x the letter X and then
change. Okay, the cancer CardExchange Send a Smile Today.
(52:56):
Seamless accessory likeaccessories, but with chemo at
the event, okay. I just don'tnot, don't ask me to say that
when again, like
Tara Thurber (53:05):
(laughs) We will make sure to post with this with
keep going.
Camille Mercado (53:09):
Gracie Foundation, Head Strong
Foundation, Endurance, FeelsFriend, Pockets of Hope. You
know, Breast Cancer Freebies.
And if you go tocancercarenews.com and you put
breast cancer freebies, you'regonna get a list, go for a ride
(53:30):
with these people. I signed upfor all of them. And let me tell
you, Christmas to me was veryemotional, because I started
getting all these packages whenI felt like oh my gosh, I can't
visit my family. It felt verylonely, right? Like the season
that and like, we're goingthrough financial, you know,
(53:53):
struggle because, you know, wewere going through all this and
investing in so much and doingso many things. And these
packages started coming in andit was very, very, very special.
Cancer Care News. I mean, theythey're one of the biggest, of
(54:14):
course, the American CancerAssociation. They have a lot of
resources there as well. But myfirst tip would be don't pay.
Okay, try to get it free. Andthen there are so many other in
New Jersey options of, you know,groups, supports, but I'm gonna
(54:41):
leave all of that with Tara soshe can have it ready for you
guys. And of course I'mavailable if anybody has
questions I can give my myinformation and email or whatnot
and she can share it with youguys. Well, so that you can see
I put a little bit of my journeyin TikTok if y'all want to check
(55:04):
that out. It's Camille Mercado,and then the number 78 Camille
CAMILLE. Mercado, M er ca do andthen number 78.
Tara Thurber (55:21):
Amazing, Camille, thank you. So, so very much. I
am so grateful and soappreciative for your time and
for you to share your journeywith myself and our audience.
Camille Mercado (55:33):
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 atyour service. If anybody has
questions, and whatnot, youknow, please feel free to reach
out. And I think if I look backand I say what's the purpose of
(55:53):
this? I think it's God has letme go through this. For many
special reasons. Most of them Imight not know, right now, I
still question them. But I thinkthat when I get a chance to
support other sisters that aregoing through this, whether it's
through breast cancer or anyother cancer or any other
(56:16):
illness or diagnosis, orwhatever it is, it just gives me
it has given me a differentperspective and I think it's
opened so many doors that's whyI'm trying to stay positive and
encourage people that are goingthrough any situation that
they're going through becauselife is beautiful. And I've
(56:38):
learned to appreciate it moreand when you see people around
you and you see people like you,Tara, that you we connected
randomly you know there'ssomething special right? You
know that united you knowwhether it is with a new friend
(56:59):
that was a stranger ornot,you're just it's just life
is gonna be beautiful.
Tara Thurber (57:07):
Thing thank you so much as we end and I'm tearing
up water, water eyes right overhere. Again, thank you and we'll
make sure to share any and allresources if anybody wants to
get in touch with Camilledirectly. Feel free to reach out
to myself or we'll puteverything when we get this
(57:28):
podcast up and running. Butthank you Camille, thank you so
so very much.
Camille Mercado (57:34):
Sending Virtual hugs (laughs).
Tara Thurber (57:41):
We are DefinedTalent at DefinedLogic
service coming to you at Top5.
Make it a great day.
Hey everyone, welcome back to Top5 brought to
you by DefinedTalent. We are aresults driven service working
with clients to connect themwith quality talent as well as
working to make an impact withinthe recruiting industry. We talk
straight about today'sprofessional world with real
world professionals, experts inrecruitment, job seekers and
(00:20):
business owners alike. Have aquestion for us. Send it in and
you might spur our nextconversation. I'm Tara Thurber,
co founder and director oftalent partnerships here at
DefinedTalent. And joining metoday is Camille Mercado, Chief
Clinical Officer at Sound AdviceCounselling and Psychotherapy.
(00:41):
Hi, Camille, how are you?
Hell, Tara, I am excited to bejoining you today in this
conversation I'm doing well.
Tara Thurber (00:51):
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 bitabout yourself, your
professional and your personalbackground too.
Camille Mercado (01:04):
Well, what can I say I am from Puerto Rico. I
was born and raised there. But Imoved back and forth from here
to there throughout the years.
So I jokingly say I'm 50/50. AndI get to enjoy the best of both
worlds, right?
Tara Thurber (01:25):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (01:26):
So I studied all my life I was told, yes, oh,
a doctor might have been becauseof the glasses, right?
Tara Thurber (01:35):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (01:35):
But my parents loved it, I would jokingly tell
my parents when they would saythat I was going to study that
to take care of them. But theneventually I noticed after three
years in biology that that wasnot my calling. And my calling
was to help people but math wasin the way.
Tara Thurber (01:52):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (01:52):
So I went ahead and moved to education and
psychology. And I absolutelyloved it.
Tara Thurber (02:01):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (02:01):
I really enjoyed it. I was like in the
Student Counseling when I was inhigh school and all that stuff.
So it kind of, you know, Inoticed that it was kind of
there throughout the years. Andthen I decided to do missionary
work. And while doing missionarywork, I noticed that a lot of
people would just come over andjust start telling me their life
(02:23):
story, their problems. And Iwould jokingly say what? I have
a sign that says talk to me?
(laughs) Likemy forehead. But I enjoyed it so
Tara Thurber (02:30):
(laughs) much and I realized that you
know if I'm going to give you atip, counsel, the suggestion
might as well be informedevidence-base, and what science
backed up versus my opinion and(laughs)
what I think you should do. So Iwent ahead and I studied my
(02:54):
master's degree in biology andsorry, in psychology,
psychological counseling, and Igot my license as a psychologist
Camille Mercado (03:01):
Because we get scared when we hear breast
in Puerto Rico. And when I movedhere to New Jersey, I received
my license as a professionalcounselor. So currently, I am
working on my doctorate degreein doctor degree in grief and
loss. And it comes with thejourney that we're going to talk
(03:26):
about today, which was that lastyear I was diagnosed with breast
cancer. Whereas I was freakingout and and my family as well.
cancer, and that diagnosiscatapulted a whole bunch of
amazing stuff. As bad as thatsounds the diagnosis, right?
(03:51):
But it just catapulted and thatyou know, I love that word
because it was just not likebaby steps, you know?
Tara Thurber (04:00):
Right.
Camille Mercado (04:01):
So here we are still going through our breast
cancer journey. I just got backfrom radiation. You know, I got
my horrible suntan going on. Butwe are alive and we're
celebrating life. What cna Itell you about me? I love food.
(04:24):
I am Labradoodle mom. I sharewith my husband, four kids. And
I'm an adrenaline junkie.
Tara Thurber (04:35):
I love that
Camille Mercado (04:37):
And I collect magnets and that's about it
Tara Thurber (04:41):
(laughs) That's fantastic. Camille, thank you so
(laughs).
much for for joining us sharingyour story and you know I want
to kind of let's talk aboutcancer - everybody - you know
the word cancer I feel thateverybody it's a big fear,
right? And sadly, cancer is thesecond leading cause of death in
(05:04):
the United States overall. Andthe leading cause among younger
people, sorry, among peopleyounger than 85 years old.
Looking at some statistics anddoing some research on breast
cancer alone accounting for 32%of the cases. From your point of
(05:24):
view, do you feel there's enougheducation out there for the
younger generation to be testedearly? And I'm going to stock a
question. What about genetictesting? Does it work?
Camille Mercado (05:36):
Those are amazing questions. And the
answer is to the first one,absolutely not, not even to the
younger generation. Nogeneration, it's not enough. I
do recall, if you know, when Iwas, you know, when I received
the cold water bucket over me, Iwas trying to think of what do I
(05:58):
know about this? My youngestmemory about breast cancer was a
TV commercial that had reddresses, and it was like
different types of red dresses.
And the message of thecommercial was, cancer makes no
exception, right? That's likethe juice of it. Like one dress
turned black or black dressesturn red, I can't recall. But I
(06:22):
just recall, it was a lot of reddresses. And they were saying it
doesn't matter your socialstatus and doesn't matter your
age, it doesn't matter anything.
Breast cancer, or cancer ingeneral doesn't really care.
Right?
Tara Thurber (06:35):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (06:36):
And that's my earliest and I was like, oh,
that's like really sad. But wenever look at things and say,
Oh, that's gonna be me one day,we never really prepare for
that.
Tara Thurber (06:46):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (06:46):
Sadly, the amount of money and I don't want
to push any buttons, I feel theamount of money that cancer
receives goes mostly to researchversus education. So I don't
have quotes, and I don't haveamounts. But that's my opinion,
(07:10):
with my experience.
Tara Thurber (07:12):
Right.
Camille Mercado (07:12):
How much do I know about breast cancer? Not
until it was my turn. Right? Notuntil I decided to ask
questions.
Tara Thurber (07:20):
Right.
Wow.
Camille Mercado (07:21):
Not until I decided to do research, not
There's nohistory of cancer in my family.
because it was openly spokenabout in school, in church and
(07:51):
at work, which is the placeswhere we spend more time, in a
Not my mother, not mygrandmother, not from my
club and a community andwhatnot. So, I don't think
father's side, not from mymother's side. So this kind of
(08:17):
came out of nowhere, right? Sodo I recommend you do your
genetic testing app salutely, itwill give you a clear view, it
there's enough education. Idon't think there's ever enough
will help your health team tomake better decisions, it will
let you know, a backgroundright? Maybe you don't know.
Tara Thurber (08:38):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (08:38):
Maybe there is that gene in your family, but it
hasn't developed. And breastcancer doesn't only happen to
education. And how does genetictesting work? Well, I think that
womeb. There is a percentage ofmen that develop breast cancer
as well.
Tara Thurber (08:53):
Wow.
Camille Mercado (08:55):
Obviously it's more common in women.
Tara Thurber (08:57):
Right.
Camille Mercado (08:58):
If somebody says no, my mom has never had,
but your father is carrying it.
We want to know, and I thinkyou have to be your own
advocate. And maybe I'm gonnathat I won't tell you my age,
but I'll tell you this, thereused to be a TV show called GI
Joe.
Tara Thurber (09:14):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (09:14):
And at the end of the show, were cartoons,
right? They've recently mademovies and whatnot. But I loved
mention this again. Butspecifically, when it comes to
it. Because I grew up with twoolder brothers.
At the end ofthe show. The leader would say,
Tara Thurber (09:24):
Yeah.
because knowing is half thebattle, right? So I believe that
some people just don't want toknow and they prefer not to
know. But not knowing does notgive you the upper hand, when
genetic testing, I got mygenetic testing done, and
you know you can make betterchoices, right? And so if you do
(09:47):
get this genetic testing it'sjust going to give your team a
better picture of what choicesthey can make toward your
everything came back negative.
specific case. Yeah, genetictesting, I recommend it. Go get
it done.
Wow. Is there aspecific age to get this testing
(10:08):
done?
Camille Mercado (10:09):
Absolutely not.
Tara Thurber (10:10):
Does it matter? I should say, doesn't matter what
age you get this testing done?
Camille Mercado (10:13):
Absolutely not.
I think that if there is ahistory in your family, my reply
is always going to involvecommunication. Because in this
journey, I've met a lot of womenthat say, my mom has had breast
cancer, and my sister has hadbreast cancer. And so you can
(10:34):
tell that there is, quote,unquote, a coincidence that the
females have it. But when theygo get the genetic testing, it
comes back negative. It's notfunny. Yeah. So. So what I do,
but we don't, we wouldn't knowif they'd done right?
Tara Thurber (10:56):
Right.
Camille Mercado (10:56):
So there are different factors that are
involved. But if I have it, andif there's a trend or lack of a
better word in my family, Iwould definitely consult with
your medical team, your PCP,your whomever the common trend
is right? If it's youroncologist, if it's your
(11:23):
endocrinologist or your Gastrothat adapt, depending on what
the common trend has been inyour family asked those
questions, and it's never tooearly, right? For prevention.
Tara Thurber (11:38):
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'tknow, and you end up getting
sick, then it's almost, you'reat a point where you can't
really back pedal.
Camille Mercado (11:57):
It's too late.
Tara Thurber (11:57):
Yeah, right.
Camille Mercado (11:58):
I've heard so many ladies, in my case, tell
me, I've received a paper sayingI need to go back and I don't
want to, and it just breaks myheart because I close my eyes.
And I remember standing there inthat radiology center looking at
(12:20):
the lady coming towards megiving me a paper and saying,
you need to do a biopsy. Andthat could mean something. And
that could mean nothing. Butit's still so intense. And fear
just kicks in. And a lot ofpeople because lack of support
(12:40):
or fear, they don't want to doit.
Tara Thurber (12:44):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (12:44):
And I wish those papers would come with a
little, and call these numbersfor mental health support.
Tara Thurber (12:53):
Right.
Camille Mercado (12:53):
This is the group this is a, you know, this
is a counselor, this is a youknow, social.
Tara Thurber (12:59):
Yep.
Camille Mercado (13:00):
This is whatever, or FAQs or whatnot,
because a lot of people keepthose be I've met people that
yeah, eight months ago, theytold me I need to go back, let
me tell you eight months, onemonth, two weeks, make a huge
difference.
And I say it bymy personal experience.
Tara Thurber (13:18):
Yeah.
Right.
Camille Mercado (13:23):
Two weeks made a huge difference in me. Because
I went from it was just, breastcancer stage zero, it came up in
the mammography. And my doctorsaid, a few work to pick your
(13:45):
breast cancer, this is the oneyou would want, like nobody
wants breast cancer (laughs).
Tara Thurber (13:50):
Right (laughs).
Camille Mercado (13:51):
Nobody wants it but I get it. They try to be
good. And then the day ofsurgery, I had invasive cancer,
right? So it's, it's thatserious? Like, why wait, if you
can just have that peace ofmind, versus that huge question
mark of I am scared. So I don'tknow what it is like, would you
(14:13):
rather know and take care of it?
Or would you just continue withfear and uncertainty? No.
Tara Thurber (14:22):
No. You're right.
You're right. You know, and kindof taking this into a little bit
of a different direction. Whenwe we think about companies and
businesses. I mean, individualsspend most of their time most of
their life working, right?
Camille Mercado (14:40):
Yes.
Tara Thurber (14:42):
Updated and complete health benefits,
especially post-COVID is one ofthe number one things incoming
employees are asking for andcurrent employees are
requesting.
Yes.
You know, how can companiesensure their work life balance,
mental health awareness,flextime policies, all meet the
(15:02):
needs of all employees,especially those who are dealing
with issues? Because if you knowyou have cancer, you're still
working, you're still, you know,I want to say moving forward in
your everyday life, but thenthere's that extra house that
you're carrying. Now, it's thatextra weight of the worry and
(15:24):
the stress and, and emotions. Sohow can, how can companies meet
those needs?
Camille Mercado (15:34):
Tara, we could do a whole show just in the
section.
Tara Thurber (15:38):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (15:38):
This question is amazing. Okay. And I'll
answer it from two points ofview, right? I'll answer it as
like, a business owner. And I'llanswer it as an employee, right?
Because I had a little scarebefore with with, you know,
cancer and other conditions. AndI think at the end of the day,
you have to be your ownadvocate.
Tara Thurber (16:00):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (16:01):
Okay. So as an employee, I'll give you my
example, I lost my voice. AndI'm a therapist and I had a
toddler back then, and, andother kids, and I had a dog and
I still life goes on, the showmust go on, right? And my, my
thought was, I need to keepworking. Right? I have to keep
(16:23):
doing this until I completelylost my voice. And when I went
to the ENT, he said, your vocalcords are not moving. They're
not moving.
Tara Thurber (16:33):
Wow.
Camille Mercado (16:33):
And so it wasn't until my employer said
Camille, why don't you go on aleave. And I was like, what,
like, I can actually do this,you know, and it kind of sounds
ridiculous, but we pay thosetaxes we pay. When you get your
(16:56):
paycheck, if anyone still opensany paycheck that you get by
mail.
Tara Thurber (17:02):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (17:02):
Or if you open that email that your have or if
you open your app, you mark thatpay stub, you know, usually we
just go to the bank and see ifit's there.
Tara Thurber (17:12):
Right (laughs).
Camille Mercado (17:13):
If you look at the breakdown, you're gonna see
that those taxes are there foryour own benefit. And if you
need to take a Disability Leave,if you need to take a family
leave New Jersey offers, and I'msure every state, right? That is
why you are paying that this isyour hard earned money for
(17:34):
moments where if you are incrisis, and if you are in need,
you need to claim it and be yourown advocate. Did I go on my
leave? Oh, yes, I did, ma'am.
And it was the best thing Icould do. And you know, coming
from a mental healthprofessional, it's really hard
to think I'm leaving my clientsalone. They need me. We have
(17:55):
that that, you know, thatmindset of Okay, what if, what
if they go in crisis? What arethey gonna do? What if they
become suicidal? And or somereason, it's so hard to get, you
know, our co workers that aregetting brentside during the
working study, you know, it'stough.
Tara Thurber (18:17):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (18:17):
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 mesharing resources. It's very
important. To me, having teammeetings is very important,
especially when you have acompany, which is the trend now
(18:40):
that is more of telehealth, orworking from home, and you don't
have that physical connectionwith your employees or your
bosses, you know, having thatempathy and rapport and just
like becoming a team is a littlebit more challenging.
Tara Thurber (18:56):
Very, very challenging.
Camille Mercado (18:57):
You know exactly what I mean, right?
Tara Thurber (18:59):
Yes, yeah.
Camille Mercado (19:00):
I believe in having those weekly meetings
with your team. And having yourweekly meetings with your staff,
right? Because if not, how areyou going to know in what level
like of stress of mental healthor any other area of their lives
they are? There's nothermometer, it's not like
(19:23):
they're gonna call you up. Andsometimes a lot of them are
really stretching it. A lot ofthem are going through a lot of
stuff. They don't know how tosay it. They don't know how to
request time off or they don'tknow maybe they want to raise,
maybe they want a what do youcall it when you...
Tara Thurber (19:42):
Promotion?
Camille Mercado (19:43):
Thank you.
Maybe they want a promotion. Sothey're really stretching
themselves. Maybe they haveseveral jobs at the same time.
Tara Thurber (19:49):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (19:49):
So as a company, it's very, very
important. Right? And yes, Iknow a lot of people one of the
first questions we get asked is,are you offering health
insurance or as a person Iasked, Do you offer health
insurance? But there are optionsout there? Right? So if we're
going to, if we're going to tiethis to breast cancer or any
(20:15):
illness, there are options out,there are a lot of companies
that help out. And maybe we'regoing to talk about a little bit
of resources later on. But yes,it's a very, very delicate
subject, but especially forthose who are dealing with
health issues. Be your ownadvocate. Okay. Ask for special
(20:41):
accommodations, if you must, andif you should, and if you will,
because at the end of the day,if I'm not available, a
company's going to find somebodyelse, because they need to
continue with their labors.
Tara Thurber (20:57):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (20:57):
But I, what am I going to find, right? if I'm
not my own advocate, and at theend of the day, if I am my own
advocate, and I become morehealthy, and I asked for those
recommendations, maybe I willheal, maybe things will get
better. And if it's time to moveon to somewhere else, then you
are still going to be able to dothat. Right? So it's very
(21:21):
important that in looking at asan employee, and as an employer
communication, I say would bethe key, the key word.
Tara Thurber (21:31):
Which I think is so so important. And you know,
this goes to all companies outthere. You still, there's, we're
all humans.
Camille Mercado (21:41):
Yeah.
Tara Thurber (21:41):
And we still need that communication. And I think
especially today, I think a lotof individuals are afraid to say
anything, I think a lot ofindividuals fear losing their
job or not getting thatpromotion now, not getting that
raise, because they're, youknow, air quotes over here,
(22:03):
they're sick, right? And so Ithink a lot of individuals and
that's then them holding it inand putting up on on a zoom call
putting up a fake front,everything's great, everything's
fine. But yet, you're breakingdown, and you're breaking
inside. So how can you, you needto create that culture within
(22:26):
the company to have a safe placefor your employees to be able to
open up.
Camille Mercado (22:32):
And I you know, not to, like, stand so long in
this question. But you mentionedpost-COVID. Right? And I think
the first thing that comes to mymind is that that that little
video that had that song sayshad a bad day da da da dun.
Tara Thurber (22:50):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (22:50):
And this guy is just breaking the photocopy. And
I think looking at it fromoutside it, I was like, Ay Dios
mio, you know, Mercy. Like, it'sfunny, and it's that, but if I
was the co worker and sittingright beside it, you know, I'm
taking the day off, becausethat's traumatizing.
Tara Thurber (23:12):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (23:12):
Ya know, it's not just about that copier it
cost 1000s of dollars is whatare we going to do for the
mental health of everybody thatwitnessed that? Right?
Tara Thurber (23:21):
Yep!
Camille Mercado (23:22):
And yeah, this person and so post COVID, we saw
a lot of companies open up a newposition of mental health, or
wellness, in general. And ofcourse, we know that for years
psychology has had occupationaland organizational, right? The
(23:42):
deals with the psychology of thebusinesses, but post-COVID We
saw a lot of companies, openingnew spots, and being more aware
of what mental health can cause.
Right? And I think this is partof the prevention. I think it's
lovely, beautiful and so goodfor those companies, they will
strive because when I feel myboss cares and knows my name and
(24:06):
probably even knows my dog'sname, which is Nana, by the way,
Nana okay.
Tara Thurber (24:14):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (24:17):
It just gives a sense of faithfulness, you know.
Tara Thurber (24:22):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (24:23):
Faithful to that person because you feel
like, well, they care about meand when someone cares, you want
to go above and beyond, butmental health boom, you know, if
you make way for mental healthand I always remember and I tell
this to my husband as businessowners, I always remember my
brother worked at this companythat back in the days they would
(24:45):
swipe, you know the cards,right?
Tara Thurber (24:48):
Yep.
Camille Mercado (24:49):
But once a week, a lady would come put her
chair in one of the emptyoffices and offer free massages
to the employees. I mean, like Iwanted to work in that company
just because of that!
Tara Thurber (25:03):
Yeah (laughs loudly)!
Camille Mercado (25:04):
So everybody that signed up would get a half
hour, 20 minutes free massage,and I was like that company is
into something. They knowsomething, right? And I think
that it showed the employeesthat they cared about there will
be and this is way before Coivdmore than 10 years, right?
(25:27):
So when whenemployees give that, right, like
Tara Thurber (25:27):
Yeah.
I worked at a company that atthree o'clock, it was not just
tea time, it was stretch time.
So one of the guys that I, youknow, I loved him, too, that he
was older Joe, he would get upand he would do 1, 2, 3. And he
was stretching to the side andthird in the back. It was 15
minutes, boom, and theneverybody refreshed back to
(25:50):
work. So I think those types ofthings really make a difference
in the lifestyle and in thecompany in general.
I couldn't agreemore with you. And it brings me
back to memories. You know, over10 years ago, I worked in
Manhattan, and our office had awoman come in once a month and
(26:14):
do chair massages. And it wasphenomenal. You signed up, you
did not want to not be at workthat.
Camille Mercado (26:21):
Yes! (laughs loudly)
Tara Thurber (26:22):
And so you would sign up for it. And another
actually our sister company,when I first started, they had
afternoon, exercising sessionswhere everybody would get
together and there would bestretching, somebody would lead
stretching for 15 minutes.
Camille Mercado (26:41):
Yeah. Yes.
Tara Thurber (26:42):
And when COVID hit, we started doing it
virtually, where we were workingout virtually together.
Camille Mercado (26:47):
Toddlers.
Tara Thurber (26:47):
And it was you think, Oh, this is crazy. But it
Camille Mercado (26:47):
(laughs)
Tara Thurber (26:50):
Toddlers.
Camille Mercado (26:51):
They don't like to be sick, they can be very,
still it creates more of thatmental health, that culture to
allow one another, to be presentand to be able to work through
things. And I think it's alsoimportant too, individuals that
very healthy (laughs).
might be caring for sick people,or elderly or sick children,
(27:14):
whatever the case may be,there's a big stress on those
Tara Thurber (27:14):
(laughs) Again, I think it comes back to the
people too.
importance of mental health inthe workplace. And it's not, you
(27:37):
could have a well oiled machine.
But if the pieces of thatmachine aren't being helped,
aren't being supported, they'regoing to stop, they're going to
dissipate, they're going to havetheir minds elsewhere.
Camille Mercado (27:50):
And they are gonna drag the company the
company, right?
Tara Thurber (27:52):
Drag it, right, exactly.
Camille Mercado (27:54):
Yeah. You know, when when something when the
wheels are not, you know, youdon't put WD 40...
Tara Thurber (28:01):
Right (laughs).
Camille Mercado (28:02):
...it's gonna squeak it's gonna, it's gonna
drag the entire team versusfacilitating the success of the
company. So by you investingjust a few minutes, right? In
that personal relationship, Imean, it could just go a long
way. Yeah.
Tara Thurber (28:21):
I agree. Even today, we do on Mondays, the
entire company does a stand up avideo stand up together. And
after that's done, I run a quickthree to five minute meditation
company wide, everybody can turntheir screens off. And it's just
a way to kick off the week, butto just center everybody and
help everybody just getgrounded, whether they're
(28:44):
listening or not, or whetherthey're getting off the Zoom
before I even start but it'sbeing able to hold that space
for all humans in order tojumpstart themselves and be
present and show up as theirbest selves. So important. So
important.
Camille Mercado (28:59):
Excellent and some people might not feel that
they need it.
Tara Thurber (29:03):
Right.
Camille Mercado (29:04):
But if they have the opportunity to try it
just even out of curiosity ohman, it makes a world of
difference. So just offeringthat space I think it's just
amazing for each company to haveit.
Tara Thurber (29:20):
I agree. So I know you know we've been talking
about serious topic here. I wantto step out of the box a little
bit I love doing this and I loveany guests on I like throwing a
fun question in there.
Camille Mercado (29:32):
Oh my (laughs).
Tara Thurber (29:34):
Here you go.
Camille, if you could zapyourself anywhere in the world
right now and not have to dealwith an airport. Where would you
want to visit and why?
Camille Mercado (29:45):
(laughs) Lord have mercy. Listen, I have a
bucket list.
Tara Thurber (29:53):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (29:54):
I'm serious about my bucket list. But I
Tara Thurber (29:54):
Oh yeah (laughs).
can't help it. I would probablypick Puerto Rico. And I know
that's my island (laughs). Butlet's put it in context. Okay,
so right now since we're talkingabout my breast cancer journey,
(30:16):
I am going through menopause,right? Because it's part of my
treatment. So I get these hotflashes, and then I'm cold, and
I'm hot and all that, right? Sowhat does that have to do with
Camille Mercado (30:26):
So me thinking about all of us would be like,
Puerto Rico? Listen, Puerto Ricois 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 theother side and you're in
beautiful, crystal clear, warmseawater. Okay, yeah.
(30:54):
on my desk, you get a hot flash,boom, I'll be in the Oceanside
dolphins to the other seaturtles with the you know,
there's a lot of snorkeling,there's a lot of you don't need
your passport. So really dealingwith the whole airport thing,
though. We're not doing it. It'sjust fairly easy. And so and of
(31:16):
course, the food. Yeah, and thenbonus, I get to visit my family.
Tara Thurber (31:23):
Right. (laughs)
Camille Mercado (31:23):
Yes, yes, definitely. Definitely. I think
Puerto Rico would be would be mychoice.
Tara Thurber (31:30):
Amazing. I'm coming with you next time then.
Camille Mercado (31:34):
The next interview over there from the
beach, sipping a pina colada.
Tara Thurber (31:39):
Perfect. Perfect.
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (31:41):
Which Puerto Rico? That's where it originated
the pina coladas. There you go.
Tara Thurber (31:47):
I did not know that. Fun fact.
Camille Mercado (31:49):
Another reason to go.
Tara Thurber (31:50):
Yeah, definitely.
Camille Mercado (31:51):
Fun fact! Yes.
Yes.
Tara Thurber (31:52):
Amazing. So Camille, I would love if you can
share. First and foremost, thankyou for sharing your journey
with us. And it's been soamazing to be to be able to get
to know you, and just to be ableto have open conversations
around cancer in general, Ireally just appreciate you. I
(32:17):
would love for you to share withthe audience, some tips, your
top five breast cancer journeytips, because between having
this conversation as well, as inmy own personal world, I've had
many people die of cancer I'vehad I have people living with
cancer right now. And there'sthis big feeling of isolation
(32:41):
and loneliness. And I think thatindividuals, I think, what you
mentioned earlier, where it'd benice if you got the slip that
okay, you have to go get abiopsy, but there was also a
list of here are all theresources for you. And I know
that doesn't happen. So by beingable to speak to you, I would
(33:02):
love to share some of yourresources and tips for our
audience with our audience.
Camille Mercado (33:09):
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 thejourney or not knowing if they
want to start the journey orhave a friend going through it,
I want to say thank you, becauseI feel like just having a space
(33:32):
where people can learn aboutthese things is just so
important. You know, I think,okay, top five, this was tough.
This was tough. So let's see ifwe can make it.
Yeah, you know,good, good and worthwhile. I
Tara Thurber (33:42):
(laughs) think the first one is, you
know, how they say, there's likea show that says, Say Yes to the
Dress as a thing. Yes to thechecks, right? Because if you
don't check, you don't know.
Right? And that can jeopardizeyour life. And there is so much
(34:08):
to live for. Right? So yes, getthe mammogram. Get all the
suggestions that they give youget the next mammogram, do the
mammogram again, do the bio, domore mammograms, if they ask you
do the ultrasound, get the MRI,get the CAT scan, whatever your
team recommends you, right, goget it done. Because that is the
(34:32):
only way you're going to knowthat's the only way there's
going to be a game plan on howyou're going to tackle this. And
it is a fight and if you thinkabout breast cancer, one of the
things I see the most is womanwith pink gloves, you know, like
boxing gloves and all thatstuff. And you know, somebody
gave me like one of thosemagnetic stickers that says
(34:52):
Fight Like a Girl and I have itin the bumper. You know, my car,
and this is a fight and it's afight in every You know, area of
your life spiritual mental, notjust physical, it's emotional.
It's familiar, you know, like,I, you know, I didn't know, you
(35:12):
know, and I'm gonna jump onanother one, the last one but.
No, I'm not gonna say it. I'llsay 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 hadeverything done. I didn't have
(35:37):
to wonder it was negative.
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (35:40):
Then I had a second scare, got everything
done, and and we were able tomake choices. So say yes to the
checks that would be be tipnumber one on our top five with
Tara (laughs).
Tara Thurber (35:56):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (35:57):
Okay, then we go to second.
Tara Thurber (35:59):
Yes.
Camille Mercado (35:59):
Be your own advocate, ask ask ask. Ask
questions. get second opinions.
Don't go with the first one onlyon doctors, on hospitals, on
surgeries, on treatments onanything. Okay. I asked. Okay, I
got my other mammo done. I gotmy bio, I kept asking. Okay, how
was the treatment? What can Itake? Do I need to take anything
(36:22):
there? Sometimes you get thereand you're like, Oh, I wish I
would have known? Well, don'twish you would know, ask. Okay.
So as as as be your ownadvocate. We visited different
doctors, we visited differentsurgeons, okay. We ask we did,
we visited different hospitals,okay, we traveled an hour to
this other hospital to get asecond opinion. There is nothing
(36:45):
wrong. Oh, I don't want tooffend my doctor, offend your
doctor! That's why they went toschool. They you know, a lot of
people just blindly acceptwhatever the doctor says,
whatever the nurse says,whatever the team says.
Challenge them! You're not. Theyget bored with everyone saying
yes. That's why they went schoolbecause they wanted a good
(37:06):
challenge. Ask the question. Askwhy. Ask ask us. That's tip
number two, be your own advocateask those questions. Do your
research. Yeah. Tip numberthree. Okay, listen to your
body. Mm hmm.
Tara Thurber (37:23):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (37:25):
No one knows best than you. What's best for
you? I'm going to copyright thatone.
(laughs) I love that.
No one knows best than you.
What's best for you. Okay, youdo your research. You asked your
questions. But at the end of theday, Tara, the only person
that's going to know, that'sgoing to feel and that's going
(37:49):
to be in their body goingthrough this process is you?
Tara Thurber (37:55):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (37:56):
That's it. So trust your body, listen to your
body. And I'll just give you asnippet of my case. I was going
through a lot of things Covidhit me really hard. It messed up
my system. All you know, youknow how in the movies, you
know, you see all these thingsgoing up and down, up and down.
(38:17):
That's okay. So my system wasbazooka, and I started
developing a list of stuff. Andwhen I was told I had breast
cancer, they were ready forsurgery. In my second visit,
they already had a date. And Isaid, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa. I said, I needthis is not a marathon. And and
(38:43):
I understand, please, nobody getme wrong. Everybody's journey is
different. I'm just talkingabout my journey.
Tara Thurber (38:52):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (38:52):
And in my journey, I said, if I go into
surgery with all the junk that Ihave in my body and my body not
being stable.
Tara Thurber (38:59):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (39:01):
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'retalking about. Right?
Tara Thurber (39:10):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (39:11):
And because breast cancer, it don't matter
if it's zero, okay.
Tara Thurber (39:15):
Right, yep.
Camille Mercado (39:16):
The the options are the same. You either get a
mastectomy where you remove theentire breast, or you get a
lumpectomy, where you removepartially, you know, you try to
save the breast, but it don'tmatter if it's 0, 1, 2, 3 or
four. It's the same option. Whenpeople ask me oh, what stage do
you have? I'm like, it don'tmatter.
Tara Thurber (39:38):
Right (laughs) yep.
Camille Mercado (39:39):
You know what I mean? Yeah, going into this I
wanted to be as healthy aspossible. So I decided, after
consulting my team of doctors,PCP, my breast surgeon, my
plastic surgeon, my everybody Icould surgeon. I said I need to
do a detox and I decided to do adetox for a month without sugar,
(40:06):
without animal products, withouta lot of fat.
Tara Thurber (40:11):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (40:13):
Everything supervised by my doctors. It was
homeopathic, natural da da da dadah. I don't know how to say it
in English, but everything wassupervised. And in my list of 10
things that I had, I came backwith nine things completely
(40:34):
stable or gone.
Tara Thurber (40:36):
Amazing.
Camille Mercado (40:37):
My experience.
People thatwere there, they came back
Tara Thurber (40:39):
Wow.
Wow.
Camille Mercado (40:41):
You know, because you don't joke. You
without cancer, they came backwithout other stuff. That was
not my experience. Okay.
Everybody's experience isdifferent. That's why you want
to be your advocate. But did Ihave family members mad at me?
Oh, oh, Mm hmm. I'll just tellyou. I have a lot of family
members that are in the medicalfield. They were not very happy.
(41:02):
They told me you go there, I'llcome back and get you. And I'll
drag you out of there.
don't play with cancer. But tome, I listened to my body. And
I'm a woman of faith. So I waspraying about it. You know, I
felt peace.
Tara Thurber (41:22):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (41:22):
I felt God said go. And I feel that that choice
helped me heal better throughoutmy transition. So we're talking
about tip number three from mybreast cancer journey. And it's
listen to your body. I hadfriends that had breast cancer.
They're like, what are youdoing? Are you out of your mind?
(41:43):
Go get your chemo, go getradiation. Go do your pills.
Don't get the injection. Youneed surgery. Like right now
whenever they tell you, and itwould affect me, right?
Tara Thurber (41:56):
Yeah. Yeah.
Camille Mercado (41:57):
My body was telling me something different.
With love. Did I put my phone onDo Not Disturb parts of the day?
Yes, ma'am.
Tara Thurber (42:07):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (42:08):
Did I have friends that did not call me?
Yes. Because they didn't knowhow to deal with it.
Tara Thurber (42:13):
Right?
Camille Mercado (42:14):
But I listened to my body. Okay, so that's tip
number three. Okay, just to dobecause I used to be a teacher.
Say Yes to the checks. That'stip number one. Tip number two,
be your own advocate. Tip numberthree, listen to your body. Now,
tip number four, gear up forbattle, get on the gloves,
(42:36):
right?
Tara Thurber (42:37):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (42:37):
Some things that helped me through the
process. And now I'm talkingabout a little bit more physical
stuff. Where the gel caps. Thelittle gloves that you know,
they sell some gloves that youput your hands and then you put
the ice, I needed that I feltlike you know, the superheroes
(42:59):
like Iron Man when he goes likethis, and then like, the laser
comes out of his hands.
Tara Thurber (43:04):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (43:04):
That's how I felt a lot of times, not even a
morning in the evening. Becauseit was just a lot of heat, a lot
of changes in the body. So did Iget that? Yes, I did. I one of
the things that I use the mostwere the pillow the mastectomy
pillows. Right? And again, youcan ask the hospital, ask, ask
(43:29):
and you shall receive. I askedmy doctor and he's like, Oh, I
forgot we have a bag of thosepillows here. So go ahead and
ask for everything. Again, we'regoing back to number two ask ask
ask. Okay. They had it, so Iwould wear those pillows under.
I looked online to see you know,yes, I got my port for my
(43:51):
chemotherapy. Little things thatyou can put on your shirt. It's
like a little pillow for theport so it doesn't give you
know, discomfort now pillow forthe What'd he call it for the
seatbelts in the car? Yes, I gotthose too, and you don't have to
get it I opened up an Amazonregistry. I shared it with
(44:14):
friends and family and listenpeople that love you will
cooperate.
Tara Thurber (44:19):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (44:19):
Don't be shy.
Okay. And if you're shy then I'mgonna share with Tara I don't
know where or how she's gonnaput it somewhere. Some of the
freebies you know there are somany companies out there that
are sharing freebies. And I'mtalking about care packages and
I'm talking about a whole bunchof stuff but so my my top five
(44:40):
in number four gearing up forbattle where the cold packs or
the gel packs of the pillows. Itwas a sweater with pockets and
Pockets of Hope they are nownonprofit organization, you can
sign up for it. And if you had amastectomy, or if you have any
(45:03):
drains, you can put, you know,those little bottles that carry
the drains there. That was abig, big one for me as well. And
because I did have support inAmazon, I found a like a little
super soft fleece top that haszippers on both sides, so that
(45:23):
when you go to a hospital andyou're freezing like me, okay,
you don't have to take yourshirt off for them to put the
medication or the chemotherapyor 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.
Tara Thurber (45:46):
Amazing.
Camille Mercado (45:47):
I still have it, I still use it, I still have
my port. So I mean, you get agood, you get a good, you know,
use for it. And it's cute, andit's warm. So I'm definitely
keeping that one as well. Sothose are my top five within the
top five, for gearing up. Um,then my last one, Tara would be,
(46:07):
don't be alone. And this is along stretch, because it does
feel like a lonely journey.
Right? I had friends that wouldsay I just, I'm sorry, I haven't
called you for months. I don'tknow what to say. Or I had
friends who said, when I learnedabout it, I was I was mad at
(46:31):
God, because I didn't understandwhy such a good person was going
through this. Some people don'tknow what to say, they don't
know what to do. They areaffected whether you know it or
not. And I say that I'm writingthe book, and the book is going
(46:52):
to be called Cancer Saved myLife. And you know, for me
personally. Once you know, myhusband said, Are you going to
make it public? And I said, heckyeah I'm making it public.
Tara Thurber (47:09):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (47:09):
Because I don't know how many woman or families
are out there going throughthis. And they got no clue what
to do. And this is intimate,right? This is something as
personal as it can get.
Tara Thurber (47:22):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (47:23):
And I you know, I still say that's too personal.
Why are you putting that pictureon Facebook? And he's like
coming from someone that makes abook about breast cancer.
We still talkabout that. But you know, um,
Tara Thurber (47:34):
(laughs) yes, don't be alone. Now. You
know, in my case here, I noticedthat getting mental health help
was a challenge. I did not talkto a therapist, for my mamo,
(47:55):
from my bio, for my surgery, andfor my chemo. It was not until I
was halfway through my chemothat I said, it's amazing to me
that this hospital, I don't evenknow if I should say the name.
Having this Cancer Center hasnot provided mental health
(48:19):
therapy for me. And that movedmountains. And within a couple
of weeks, I was able to get it.
Now, did I do my own researchagain going to be your own
advocate?
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (48:33):
Yes. And let me tell you, sadly, I was
considered too old. For some ofthe groups. There is a waiting
list. There is a lack, not alack. But there is such a high
volume of need, that we don'thave enough therapists. And then
some therapists that were outthere, don't accept insurances,
(48:57):
they are only out of pocket. Ihave a list. Listen, I the
hospital gave me a list. And Iwent one by one. And they were
either not taking clients didnot accept my insurance. It was
very challenging, to say theleast.
Tara Thurber (49:15):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (49:15):
So when I say don't be alone, I'm talking
about all those tips that I gaveyou before. Be your own
advocate, ask ask ask. We haveto do this. And it's exhausting
because I'm going to therapy.
Tara Thurber (49:31):
Right.
Camille Mercado (49:32):
I'm sorry. I'm going through treatment.
Tara Thurber (49:34):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (49:35):
I have to make a gazillion decisions.
Tara Thurber (49:37):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (49:38):
In my case. I couldn't go back to work. It was
so crazy because my fatherstarted having heart attacks.
And then his surgery was the daybefore my surgery. So they were
in Puerto Rico. My mom wanted tobe here. I wanted to be there.
(49:59):
It was crazy. You know what theysay when it rains, it pours.
Tara Thurber (50:02):
It pours.
Camille Mercado (50:03):
So, this is why not being alone is so important.
Sometimes your best friends arenot going to be there. But God
will provide other people thatwill come into your life. And
you're like, where did you comefrom? And those are going to be
your angels, they're going to beyour support. They're going to
(50:24):
be there in time and needs,right?
Tara Thurber (50:26):
Yep.
Camille Mercado (50:26):
I've had people that are so kind that have sent
me songs, other people sendfood, other people have sent
different things that sometimesyou're like, wow, I haven't
heard from this person in theyears. So, when you receive this
when you see these peoplereaching out, be open. Okay. You
(50:52):
can't just be so da da da daduh.
Tara Thurber (50:56):
Right.
Camille Mercado (50:56):
Tha you don't receive the love if you look at
it this way, the love that thesepeople are pouring onto you.
Tara Thurber (51:04):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (51:04):
Okay. And, and it's okay. To say, I need
support.
Tara Thurber (51:11):
Yeah.
Camille Mercado (51:11):
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 wasbawling in a parking lot. While
it was raining, it looked like amovie. Okay.
Tara Thurber (51:28):
(laughs)
Camille Mercado (51:28):
But I did it right. And there are resources.
If you don't, if you feel likeyou don't want to bother your
family, or you don't want tobother your friends, quote,
unquote.
Tara Thurber (51:40):
Right.
Camille Mercado (51:41):
There are resources out there that you can
vent and you can talk and youcan find sisters, to go through
this journey with you. Okay, butif you see that people are
reaching out because they loveyou, if they're reaching out,
that means they can take itsomehow, whatever you're gonna
say or do. Um, and then, youknow, also it's okay to dress
(52:03):
up. Go eat out on your own. Gowatch a movie on your own. If
you got to do it, do it. Right?
Yep.
Go ask for all those resourcesthat I'm going to share. A few
of you are listening, go grab apen and a paper right now, as
I'm gonna say these names andyou want to write them down. I
remember when they called mefrom Diva Day and they said you
(52:27):
just won a facial!
Tara Thurber (52:31):
Yes. (laughs)
Camille Mercado (52:34):
It was beautiful, you know? So let me
just really quick, here. Youready? Okay. Diva Day like I
said, the Cancer Card X Changeand it's x the letter X and then
change. Okay, the cancer CardExchange Send a Smile Today.
(52:56):
Seamless accessory likeaccessories, but with chemo at
the event, okay. I just don'tnot, don't ask me to say that
when again, like
Tara Thurber (53:05):
(laughs) We will make sure to post with this with
keep going.
Camille Mercado (53:09):
Gracie Foundation, Head Strong
Foundation, Endurance, FeelsFriend, Pockets of Hope. You
know, Breast Cancer Freebies.
And if you go tocancercarenews.com and you put
breast cancer freebies, you'regonna get a list, go for a ride
(53:30):
with these people. I signed upfor all of them. And let me tell
you, Christmas to me was veryemotional, because I started
getting all these packages whenI felt like oh my gosh, I can't
visit my family. It felt verylonely, right? Like the season
that and like, we're goingthrough financial, you know,
(53:53):
struggle because, you know, wewere going through all this and
investing in so much and doingso many things. And these
packages started coming in andit was very, very, very special.
Cancer Care News. I mean, theythey're one of the biggest, of
(54:14):
course, the American CancerAssociation. They have a lot of
resources there as well. But myfirst tip would be don't pay.
Okay, try to get it free. Andthen there are so many other in
New Jersey options of, you know,groups, supports, but I'm gonna
(54:41):
leave all of that with Tara soshe can have it ready for you
guys. And of course I'mavailable if anybody has
questions I can give my myinformation and email or whatnot
and she can share it with youguys. Well, so that you can see
I put a little bit of my journeyin TikTok if y'all want to check
(55:04):
that out. It's Camille Mercado,and then the number 78 Camille
CAMILLE. Mercado, M er ca do andthen number 78.
Tara Thurber (55:21):
Amazing, Camille, thank you. So, so very much. I
am so grateful and soappreciative for your time and
for you to share your journeywith myself and our audience.
Camille Mercado (55:33):
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 atyour service. If anybody has
questions, and whatnot, youknow, please feel free to reach
out. And I think if I look backand I say what's the purpose of
(55:53):
this? I think it's God has letme go through this. For many
special reasons. Most of them Imight not know, right now, I
still question them. But I thinkthat when I get a chance to
support other sisters that aregoing through this, whether it's
through breast cancer or anyother cancer or any other
(56:16):
illness or diagnosis, orwhatever it is, it just gives me
it has given me a differentperspective and I think it's
opened so many doors that's whyI'm trying to stay positive and
encourage people that are goingthrough any situation that
they're going through becauselife is beautiful. And I've
(56:38):
learned to appreciate it moreand when you see people around
you and you see people like you,Tara, that you we connected
randomly you know there'ssomething special right? You
know that united you knowwhether it is with a new friend
(56:59):
that was a stranger ornot,you're just it's just life
is gonna be beautiful.
Tara Thurber (57:07):
Thing thank you so much as we end and I'm tearing
up water, water eyes right overhere. Again, thank you and we'll
make sure to share any and allresources if anybody wants to
get in touch with Camilledirectly. Feel free to reach out
to myself or we'll puteverything when we get this
(57:28):
podcast up and running. Butthank you Camille, thank you so
so very much.
Camille Mercado (57:34):
Sending Virtual hugs (laughs).
Tara Thurber (57:41):
We are DefinedTalent at DefinedLogic
service coming to you at Top5.
Make it a great day.
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