Latest / PHLV Radio / [FILAM IN FOCUS] Making History Through Healing: Why Women’s Health Stories Matter

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[FILAM IN FOCUS] Making History Through Healing: Why Women’s Health Stories Matter · PHLV Radio

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Speaker 1: Mulla's Asian Community Development Council PHILAM in Focus Monday's at
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twelve nude right here on PHLV.
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Speaker 2: Radio, Margan Dang Hapu Passe Angela had and Happy Women's
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History Month and welcome to another episode of PHILAM in
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Focus acopolam in your host Adelvis Solano, and today we
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are exploring how personal resilience can actually help us rewrite
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the history of women's healthcare. When we talk about history,
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we think of historical events and achievements from the past.
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What went unnoticed were the struggles of everyday women who
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face health challenges not often discussed, and the bravery it
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took to overcome those battles. And we know that for
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many women, especially in our Asian American, Native Hawaiian and
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Pacific Islander communities, gating a medical diagnosis often comes with
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an extra battle, the challenge of being fully understood and
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dealing with the emotional and financial ordeal afterwards. Today we
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bring you a story that emphasizes the crucial need for sensitive,
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competent care and how sharing our stories can empower women
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to fight for their health and a better healing experience
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for all. And joining us to share her incredible journey
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is a Las Vegas based advocate, a three time cancer survivor,
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and the founder of Every Girl Healing Company. Samantha Gonzalez
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Russell So Tamanta, thank you so much for being here,
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and you know, I'm glad to be speaking with you.
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Speaker 3: Thank you so much for having me.
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Speaker 1: I'm so grateful to be here and talk about women's
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health and how it impacts our community.
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Speaker 2: All right, let's get into it. So can you share
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us your story and walk through your experience in order
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to support others.
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Speaker 3: Yes, it has been a very long, long journey.
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Speaker 1: I was first diagnosed with cervical cancer at twenty seven,
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and it had a lot of ups and downs. As
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we touched on navigating the healthcare system is it can
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be complicated and doing that at a young age it
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adds a lot to illness as well.
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Speaker 3: And so I continued my journey after my first diagnosis.
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Speaker 1: About two and a half years later, I had my
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first recurrence and spent another year in treatment, and.
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Speaker 3: Once I thought that that part of my life, that
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chapter with cancer was over.
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Speaker 1: Unfortunately, in twenty twenty, I had another recurrence and had
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to really advocate for myself. I sought life saving care
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out of state in California, and that was what allowed
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me to be here today with you. And so now
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I spend my time and energy sharing what I've learned
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through that journey, sharing what I've learned about the healthcare
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system health in general, and give back to the community
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that gave so much to me.
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Speaker 2: Well, thank you Somata for sharing that. I'm shock about,
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you know, for you to go through that. But then
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I know some of our listeners and viewers also listening
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can see parts of themselves as well, for those who
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have experienced it and experienced it, And thank you for
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you know, sharing that earlier and having face cancers three times?
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How did those experience change the way you see healthcare
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system and also women's healthcare very much?
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Speaker 3: It changed very much.
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Speaker 1: Being twenty seven, not having to deal with health care
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or thinking too much about it. I think it was
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easy to take it for granted, and that's something I
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hear from a lot of patients.
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Speaker 3: We don't really think about it until we have to.
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Speaker 1: And through that I have been able to just really
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understand what it takes to get the care that we
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need and the care that we deserve, and understand that
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none of us are sort of immune to illness. And
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so the more we can educate ourselves, the more we
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can educate each other empower each other, the more benefit
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we we have together.
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Speaker 2: Really, and you said twenty seven, that's very young, and
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you feel like when you're in your twenties, you know
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you're untouchable, like I'm healthy, I'm okay. But then having
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to experience that at that very young age, while you
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know that also that shift of perspective that you're describing,
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a lot of people don't realize until they also get
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it themselves. So you know, thank you for you know,
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advocating for women's health care and being aware of what
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we needed. And on a related note, also, historically women's
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heal concerns have been overlooked or dismissed. So when you
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were going through your journey, what moments felt the hardest
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for you?
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Speaker 3: That is it's so true.
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Speaker 1: Unfortunately women's health care specifically, it's hard to navigate. We
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tend to and something I experience firsthand with my first
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and second diagnosis is to be either dismissed or minimized,
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and that can.
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Speaker 3: Truly take a toll on any patient.
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Speaker 1: It can make conditions worse, It can take a toll
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on mental health as well, and when you're dealing with
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really any diagnosis, but cancer, something as serious and needing
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of your time and energy, it can just really exacerbate
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the situation.
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Speaker 2: Then yeah, then how were you able to navigate being
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unheard and now understood? Because if you can give an
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what particular moment that was, Yes, this is.
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Speaker 1: Such an important question. Specifically, two times come to mind.
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With my first recurrence my second diagnosis, I had been
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seeing my provider and it had gone on for months
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and I still had no answers. So I went to
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the er and found the people who had listened to me,
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and that is how I found out about my second diagnosis.
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And during my third diagnosis, my second recurrence, my care
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team here had run out of treatment options for me,
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and so it was up to me to advocate for
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myself and be in tuned with what I was feeling,
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what I was experiencing, and again finding people the care
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team that I found in California, who would support me
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and believe in me as much as I did for myself.
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So I think it's such an important message for women
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to hear. Oftentimes our system, our world can make us
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feel a little bit small, but I think it's important
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to remember that we are we're not and we do
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in fact have power.
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Speaker 2: Yeah, and then you know, navigating, navigating those you know
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barriers and at the same time being dismissed.
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Speaker 3: That's awful.
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Speaker 2: I'm so sorry that you have to experience that awful situation.
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But and then you have to do I would stay,
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do your own like research and then really make sure
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that you get understood by your providers, by anyone who
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we are t talking to.
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Speaker 1: It definitely adds a burden to a patient, any patient
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when you are having to do, like you said, extra
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research and do the work of finding different providers and
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talking to them. But I would remind everyone that your
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health is important, you are important, you are worth that work.
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Speaker 2: And so it is.
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Speaker 3: It's it is hard, it can be difficult.
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Speaker 1: It it shouldn't be that difficult, but it is worth
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it to do for yourself and then for our communities
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as well.
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Speaker 3: Yeah, and then.
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Speaker 2: Especially for Asian American families. You know, there are so
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many layers from language, excuse me, culture, even finances, so
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all those barriers are very overwhelming. And but thank you
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again for being here because those conversations are very important,
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and this one actually is a step in breaking them
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down and all. And on that note, also in a
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long term health matter, how much does having a safety
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net like health insurance change a patients ability to just
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focus on healing and not worry about you know, those
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huge expenses.
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Speaker 3: Oh my goodness. Health insurance is is crucial.
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Speaker 1: It's a reality that healthcare is expensive on its own,
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and then when it comes to long term care, those.
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Speaker 3: Those costs truly do add up.
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Speaker 1: And so it's because of insurance patients like me are
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here today. But I will say, you know, we've talked
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about barriers that can be also an added barrier along
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with the health care system. Insurance can be complex to navigate,
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and so again it's important that we we step up
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for our community members and have education, have health literacy
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so that we are able to access that these very
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needed resources. Something that I like to think about is
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is more bridges, less barriers.
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Speaker 2: Mm. I love that, and I love what you said
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about health education and literacy. That's why you know programs
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at the Asian Committee Deveopment Council or ACDC, the Health
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Navigation programs allow ARC Committee members to find quality health,
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affordable quality and affordable health insurance bands to our state
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based marketplace, and that's what we always like advocate. It's
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better that you have a piece of mind because you
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never know, like yes, y, even when you're like twenty seven,
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you're young, you're healthy, but you know in one click
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of you know, anything can happen. So yeah, that's why
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piece of m g just get that insurance, you know,
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for safety.
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Speaker 1: And it's so wonderful that ACDC provides these programs because
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they are much needed. And as you said, to have
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that piece of mind, to have that confidence when you
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walk in to a doctor's office.
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Speaker 3: We've talked about those barriers, but if you.
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Speaker 1: Can lessen one more, it is a step in the
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right direction and getting the care that you need and deserve.
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Speaker 2: Yes, and you have the peace of mind as well,
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and you just focused on healing.
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Speaker 3: Yes for yourself too, so important.
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Speaker 2: Yeah, And can you share that moment when you experience
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you could help change other people's life too? And how
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did you turn your story into advocacy.
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Speaker 1: There were many moments in my journey where I felt alone,
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I felt like.
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Speaker 3: I wanted to understand and also be understood. And one
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moment that.
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Speaker 1: Really sticks out in my head is when during my
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third diagnosis, I was facing a very extreme, extensive surgery
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and there wasn't a lot of information out there for me.
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Of course, there's the general information that the doctor gives you,
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but I wanted to see a person who had been
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through it. I wanted to see someone living their life.
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Speaker 3: And so I was able to.
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Speaker 1: Connect with people on social media and that really made
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me think, if I'm able to get through that, I
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could be this person for someone after me. And since then,
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I have just continued to share my story and even
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the vulnerable parts because I think they're important for us
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to see and be a part of.
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Speaker 3: And yeah, it's it has just evolved from there.
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Speaker 2: Well, I love that you're turning your personal experience into
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something powerful. And I'm you know, just looking at you
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right now. You're still beautiful. You know, I never thank you,
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thank you. I never thought that you'd had experienced that,
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and you know, letting people also know that they're not
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alone and you're as someone who has experienced it, and
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then sharing the vulnerable parts. Oh oh, that's amazing and
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you're getting it right now.
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Speaker 3: It's something that I needed in my hardest moments.
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Speaker 1: I think we all need and so it's important to
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remember that we can all be that for each other.
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Speaker 2: And it comes from a real place. Yeah, well, thank you,
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thank you so much. And for the women listening, what
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is that most important step that they can take today
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to prioritize their health and how can loved ones be
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a support system?
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Speaker 1: This is a great question, and I think the answer
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is the same for both women and our loved ones.
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Speaker 3: It is to create that space.
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Speaker 1: For women specifically, it's easy to get lost in our
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very busy lives. It's very demanding, but it's important that
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we put ourselves first. None of it is possible without
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creating that space for ourselves and making sure that we're
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going to our appointments and staying connected with our doctors
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and keeping track of our systems and really taking charge
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of our own health. And then same thing for the
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loved ones. I think it's an important acknowledgment that all
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of our lives are possible because of the amazing women
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in them, and so I encourage loved ones to do
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the same. You know, show up for the women in
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your life, and maybe it looks like accompanying them to
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an appointment, or you also put that appointment.
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Speaker 3: In your calendar. Or or you mentioned earlier being a translator.
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Speaker 1: There are so many ways that we can show up
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for the women in our lives that will truly make
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a difference. And then I think when you put the
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two together, it is a recipe for success.
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Speaker 2: Oh. I love that. And it's such a powerful and
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impactful advice that you just gave. And you know, even
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for someone to just hold your hand doing another an
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appointment is enough.
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Speaker 3: It means so much.
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Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean so much. I love that. And also
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having you know, especially for Asian families, you know, they
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prefer someone to be there who understand their culture, who
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speaks their language, and someone who can help translate that
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will be very helpful. And yeah, just I love that
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you included the loved ones really in the support system
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because that's the people that you really can depend on.
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Speaker 1: Truly, I mean, our caretakers, our families are how we
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get through it together. And then, especially for our community,
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family is tight. Family means a lot. So what better
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way to show up than prioritize our health together?
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Speaker 2: Yes, and thank you for reminding us to prioritize our health.
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I'm going to a doctor right now.
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Speaker 3: Very important.
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Speaker 2: Yes, I know, it's like you's you said, it's very
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demanding with our work, but we have to take care
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of ourselves. And it not just goes to women, but
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also for men, our loved ones too, so very important
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to let them know and you know, to encourage them
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like yes, get yourself checked.
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Speaker 3: Yes, it's a team.
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Speaker 2: Yeah yeah yeah deem effort. I love that. And then
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for those who want to fill there's footsteps. Amount of
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how can women today use their own stories? Do we
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write the history of how we approach women's health?
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Speaker 1: Again A n an excellent question, And I think whether
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you're dealing with cancer or or illness or just navigating
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your health, uh, I think it's important to remember that
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you have a story, you have learned something from your experience,
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and that knowledge really is powerful. And so I hope
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the women out there who are listening want to share that,
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and then also to remember to speak up even if
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it's uncomfortable. Even I think in the healthcare space, especially now,
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there can be some misinformation out there. It's important to
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speak your truth and sort of pave the way for
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the women around us after us. I am able to
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do it because I'm inspired by so many other women
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who are able to speak up for their care and
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share their stories their journeys, and I can only hope
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to do the same while sharing everything that I've learned too.
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Speaker 2: And it takes courage also because you know, having the
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illness sometimes it's you know, you're afraid to share it naiiaka,
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you know you're shy about it, so and culturally we don't.
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We try not to speak up. So I'm glad that
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you s said that it's very important to let your
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voice be heard.
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Speaker 3: That's such an important point.
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Speaker 1: And you know, I've met other Filipino patients, Asian patients
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who we.
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Speaker 3: All collectively have have felt that way.
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Speaker 1: We're kind of similar in age, and we've all kind
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of said we've had to rip the band aid off
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and say we're going to talk about this. I think
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that's that's an important first step. It is vulnerable, but
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but it's a truth and and there's so much value.
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There's so much to learn from these very real, raw experiences.
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Speaker 2: And thinking that bandage office is also hurtful, but also
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at the same time, it's healing the wood. So makes
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sure that you really share and advocate for it. And
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you found it ever grow in the fall of last year,
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can you share more about that.
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Speaker 1: Yes, Ever Grow is a project that was inspired for
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my own journey. I found in my own recovery that
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connection and community was a huge factor in how I
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could take my life from surviving to really living. Once
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I was I was going out and eating my neighbors
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and we're talking about our experiences, sharing what we've learned,
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what we've been through.
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Speaker 3: It goes back to that feeling less.
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Speaker 1: Alone and feeling more confident in health and healing in general.
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Speaker 3: Like you said, when we have that hand to hold,
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even if it's metaphoric, it's a powerful way to move forward.
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Speaker 1: And so Evergrow is my organization where we look to
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make health care approachable and accessible recovery too.
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Speaker 3: They all kind of go hand in hand.
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Speaker 1: And so our very first event was health advocacy for women,
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and then we also incorporated some expressive art.
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Speaker 3: And so this is just a reminder for everyone that
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health doesn't need to be intimidating, it doesn't need to
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be something that is hard to understand.
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Speaker 1: It's something that can come down to earth and meet
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us where we are because it's important. We need to
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all be healthy and well and help each other do
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the same.
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Speaker 2: You're giving me encouragement right now, I need like to check.
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I'm sure our audiences are also like, ohh yes, I
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need to set an appointment with my daughter right now.
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Speaker 3: I'm glad, But I.
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Speaker 2: Mean your organization is very empowering and you know the
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reason behind it. Yeah, it serves us a support system
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for everyone absolutely, so we can have some fun while
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we're at it. Yeah, creatively too, like the art. Oh,
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I wish we were able to attend that.
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Speaker 3: We'll do it again. Yeah, is it?
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Speaker 2: When is your next event?
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Speaker 1: By the way, I have nothing is quite set, but
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we do have some more upcoming events. We are working
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on a movement lab, something again that we take for granted,
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but I have found has been very important to my healing,
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just knowing how to move our bodies. And these are
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just really simple content that I think make a really
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big difference as well as I would like to do
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an open mic for cancer survivors. As you mentioned, there's
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so much to express in our journeys that why not
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bring people together and express it together. And there will
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be a lot more in the works as well. But
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what people can look forward to is a sense of
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community and lots of learning.
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Speaker 2: Well, that's awesome. To hear, and then you're not just
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providing a space for voices to be heard, but also
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reclaiming the voices and sharing those experiences on a very
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fun and creative way to look at it. And that's
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so great to thank you for also reminding and founding
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that organization because you know that every it's important that
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stories should be told and every story.
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Speaker 1: It's so true, every every voice matters, every every story matters.
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And that's such an important reminder too that when we think,
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you know, nobody wants to hear about that, and we
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may not even see. My husband reminds me a lot
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about this that I may not always see the impact
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of sharing, but I trust that even allowing myself to
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be vulnerable to share what I've learned is hopefully allowing
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someone to do the same for themselves.
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Speaker 2: And even if we think it's small, so it's important
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that they will like share it. You know, you don't
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see the results right now, but eventually it will any
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ripple effect, yes, absolutely, oh my god, no over like
22:47
top of the hour, but oh my god, I know
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this will have a part too. It's so amazing to
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talk to you.
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Speaker 3: Amazing.
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Speaker 1: Sam is great, and thank you for being here. Thank
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you for all that you do for our community. And
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I hope everyone listening, everyone watching feels empowered to take
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care of themselves.
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Speaker 2: I'm sure. And where can they get connected or how
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can they get connected to you?
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Speaker 1: I am on social media, My handle is go sam
23:18
grow and they can find me and I look forward
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to connecting with you there.
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Speaker 2: Well. Thank you again, Samantha, and for showing us that
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our stories are not just medical knows, there are driving
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force for policy and change. So to learn more about
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Samata's advocacy work for women's health, follow her on social
23:37
media which is at go sam grow. And if you
23:41
are a loved one or navigating healthcare barriers, AGCDC is
23:45
here to help. Whether you need help with health navigation,
23:48
language access, or finding a support system or helping hand,
23:52
please reach out to us at info at ACDC andMe
23:56
dot org. So, just like sam said, let's get tinue
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to prioritize our health, our stories and we write our
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health experiences. So happy women's history, Mond, and we'll see
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you next time on phil am in Focus. Kita kh