When you survive a crisis you get a new appreciation for life. Breast cancer is viewed as a horrible thing, but within 24 hours of my diagnosis I realized it was an opportunity for me to carry on my dads legacy. We grew up thinking 70 is old. Not at all. She has been a national spokesperson for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. I do what I damn well please. Always take someone with you to every appointment because its really hard to take it all in. Joan Lunden Shares Her Breast Cancer Journey. I have a sense of freedom. Lunden has earned numerous honors and awards, including the Spirit of Achievement Award from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine; National Women's Political Caucus Award; New Jersey Division of Civil Rights Award; Baylor University Outstanding Woman of the Year; and the YWCA Outstanding Woman's Award. Diet plays such a huge role in preventing and fighting cancer. 'It's like someone else's hair growing on my head.'. Special correspondent Joan Lunden shares what she's learned since being diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer in June: I've never dealt with a terrible illness of any kind I've. This time my mother went with me. Its almost like demons take over your belly. Still I am numb not think to much about it. Doctors found two tumors in my right breast, both triple negative breast cancer, which means its more aggressive and faster growing. This past July was a year since my last treatment. 4. Well when he said bilateral I though that is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. During summers in Maine Im into the climbing wall. During summers in Maine Im into the climbing wall. 19K Followers. The brand is outspoken in breaking the silence around urinary incontinence and helping women regain control of their bodies and their lives. When I ask him what he would do if it was his family, he hesitated and said I will tell you on Monday after you have made your decision. A Candid Conversation About Aging. Dont feel guilty. Benner was happy with the earplugs, but believed they could be improved. Joan Lunden Productions. Were always asking ourselves, Am I at the right place at the right time? When people ask my three older children what it was like when I was working at GMA, I love what they say: That she showed us that we can do a lot with our life. Original name, Joan Elise Blunden; Born September 9 (some sources cite 15 or 19), 1950 (some sources cite 1951), in Fair Oaks (near Sacramento), CA; daughter of Erle Murray (a physician) and Gladyce Lorraine (maiden name, Somervill) Blunden; married Michael Krauss (a television producer), September 10, 1978 (divorced, 1992); married Jeff . Im almost reluctant to say it because it sounds superficial, says Lunden. The first 2 went well but the 3rd one I was starting to have issues with my feet. She turned her experience into a teachable moment. Sign up forLong Island Pressemail newslettershere. You know its going to happen one of these days and you are wondering how and when, so I just owned it, Lunden explains. Guilt is the bane of working women. Another story was about a woman whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver. Start reading labels: I always considered myself a label reader, but I wasnt. He wanted to make the earplugs more comfortable to increase wearability. New York, NY joanlunden.com Born September 19 Joined February 2009. I was handed an opportunity to learn everything that I can about this and try to help others.. . When I told them that I was breastfeeding my daughter Jamie and that she needed to be with me, I got a dressing room for her next to mine. She was a visiting instructor at Montclair State College in New Jersey, where she taught a course in broadcast journalism. From the moment you hear the words You have breast cancer, its almost like youre shot out of a cannon. One of them was a story with the American Lung Association. We dont talk enough about aging. Without further ado, lets get right to it. Again I sat down with my family. I was one of the first anchors to appear pregnant on television. Joan Lunden: One might think that I'd say it was the horrible stories in the tabloids (many planted by the PR company his divorce lawyer hired) and having to go through the process of suing them . I am living my life to the fullest and enjoying every moment I have. This helped him to be able to talk to me. . Shell tell you quickly where her heart is. The day they told me I had breast cancer is the day I wanted my breasts removed, they were diseased and I didn't want them. A heart filled with anger has no room for love.. After chemo, she underwent an additional six weeks of daily radiation before getting a lumpectomy for each of her two tumors. What was it like to hit that milestone? But since I already knew, he discussed the options that day. [5] In 2021, Lunden took over as host of the public television program Second Opinion. One of them was a story with the American Lung Association. I didnt break down crying when I was told I had breast cancer. She said something Ill never forget. He started telling me about the treatment I was going to have to have because I am triple negative. I knew that it meant a lot to be able to do that.. Lunden was the co-host of ABC's Good Morning America from 1980 to 1997, and has authored over ten books. 9 min read Joan Lunden a breast-cancer survivor, mother of seven and grandmother of two in 2019 in New York City. Getting cancer pushed me to learn about my body. You have to get checked. I sometimes chuckle when looking at my various hairstyles from the 80's and 90's. The only question is, what will I do with it next?! She was amazing trying to make me look beautiful. But after reading about a woman who had died from triple negative breast cancer, I thought, I need to get everything in my life in order. Lunden co-hosted "Good Morning America" from 1980 to 1997, and she was hired as a special . Back when my mother was young, 59 was the average life expectancy. You need someone there with you. However, its not unusual to witness television personalities undergoing plastic surgery, in an effort to boost their esteem. She produced the noon news broadcast and hosted KCRA's television specials.[2]. While her 3D mammogram was clean, the ultrasound . 'It comes back all weird,' she said. This book is for all my sisters. Long before Lunden was a household name, she started humbly as a trainee for KCRA-TVs news department in 1973. By For a long time, I didnt even go through the thought process that I might die. Do you understand how many women in the future will see this face and say, I can do this too?. She also appeared on the cover of People without her wig. Joan Lunden was born on 19 September 1950 in Sacramento, California, USA. Joan Lunden (born Joan Elise Blunden, September 19, 1950) is an American journalist, an author, and a television host. Real Truth About Former 'Good Morning America' Host Joan Lunden's Plastic Surgery. But also there was the realization that while it was wonderful that my workplace was accommodating, what about other women? It brought home that you cant smoke and drink when youre pregnant. While Lunden consulted several top docs, after meeting with New York University's Dr. Ruth Oratz, her decision became clear. /PRNewswire/ -- Women's pelvic health brand INNOVO, an FDA-cleared medical device that delivers perfect Kegels through electrical stimulation, is partnering. Ill go back and think, what did they say to me at that point? We asked her how she felt about him being put to death. [1], She earned a Liberal Arts degree from California State University, Sacramento. I have found my strength in my family and my friends and they have just been completely amazing. It consumed her so much that her marriage fell apart and she got a divorce. I felt empowered by what I found out and I wanted to share what I learned. As of 2014[update], Lunden is a special correspondent for NBC's Today. The hope is that all the research thats being done, its kind of all connecting and its making findings come at record pace, and thats good news for women everywhere.. I went there, talking about whats frustrating, annoying, embarrassing as we age, everything from a decrease in libido, leaky bladders, the forgetfulness, and expanding waistlines. So I am 58 years old, cancer free, no breast, no implant, no bra, and very thankful I am alive. The tumor was way back in my right breast, back against the chest wall, she says. . She has to be included in this journey, so I decided she could help cut my hair. After cancer I wanted to age successfully. I dont want to. I chose to do chemotherapy first, to shrink the tumors, followed by surgery. Earlier this year, she published her latest book, Why Did I Come Into This Room? But boy, I am now. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. [11][12] By But now, in remission for over five months, she's finally got enough hair on her head to go out without a wig - and she's even growing some on her arms and legs. She said that she went from being a patient, to a warrior fighting for her survival, to a survivor, and finally to an advocate. She was voted "Career Mother of the Year" by the National Institute of Infant Services, and in 19821983, honoring her dedication to motherhood, she was voted "Mother of the Year" by the National Mother's Day Committee. I'm proud to join my mom and INNOVO in starting the dialog and helping all women live their best lives, leak-free.". "For the longest time, women have been "on mute" when dealing with the issue of bladder leaks," says Dr. Maher, who founded INNOVO. When they did my mammogram they noticed a area of concern, so immediately I had an ultrasound of my left breast. Despite nine months of 'rigorous' treatment - which she said is not so easy to bounce back from, even now that she's better - Joan was able to stay strong thanks to her husband, Jeff Konigsberg, and her seven children, whom she calls her 'rocks'. We got boxes of mail about that show. 'My doctor said, "We can do a really big breast cancer surgery right now, or we can flood you, bomb you, with cancer-killing chemo, and then do a very tiny surgery,"' she told People last year. She turned her experience into a teachable moment. Long before Lunden was a household name, she started humbly as a trainee for KCRA-TVs news department in 1973. Dont feel guilty. I pride myself on getting up that wall. "Making Earplugs" was her unusual line of work. Joan Lunden is 68 years old. She advocates for cancer patients on Capitol Hill and elsewhere and engages with the cancer community through social media and her website, joanlunden.com. Those two things dont match.. When youre going through chemotherapy, there are a lot of needles and Ive always been a needle weenie, but you just have to learn to get over it. The day after we returned I showed the nurses giving me my chemo my feet. This includes tackling the root cause of bladder leaks, an issue that affects one in three women.". Lunden hosted ABC's broadcast of the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, from 1989 to 1991, and from 1983 to 1996, she hosted the Walt Disney World Easter and Christmas Parades along with Alan Thicke and Regis Philbin. With her first husband, Michael Krauss, Lunden raised three girls now grown-up and successfully marketed her wholesome image, lending her name to a series of books on parenting, cooking and fitness. My nutritionist put me on a no-wheat, no-dairy, no-sugar eating regimen. Breast cancer is viewed as a horrible thing, but within 24 hours of my diagnosis I realized it was an opportunity for me to carry on my dads legacy. 'I never dreamed I would connect with as many people as I did or get the support that I did. She was even with me when she was 1 year old, and I had to cover the royal wedding of Diana and Charles. I found INNOVO after years of physical therapy and going to doctors, and it was the only product that helped eliminate my leaks. The veteran host was allegedly pushed out in 1997 at the age of 47. She also frequently guest hosted A&E's Biography, and hosted the Newborn Channel's Parenting Minutes. 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