Touching Hearts Before, During and After my Dr. Phil Appearance

After a couple of days of doing some sightseeing and resting, the big day arrived! Oh my goodness, I was super excited and scared at the same time.

Getting ready for my 10 minutes of fame!

I couldn’t believe I was going to be on Dr. Phil. I remember my husband saying, “You always wanted to be famous, so here are your ten minutes of fame.” We laughed so hard, but he was absolutely right. I got my ten minutes of fame!

A once-in-a-lifetime chance to share my lung cancer journey

We were up very early, and a car was waiting for us to take us to the studio. Once I got there, I had my own private room with breakfast, coffee, water, juice, and snacks. You name it. I had a wardrobe to pick from and many different styles of shoes in my size and cosmetic jewelry.

Once they showed me to my room, we dropped off my personal items and our luggage because we were going straight to the airport after the taping. Then, I was taken to my own personal makeup artist.

Makeup inspiration

I remember the makeup artist asking me what I would speak about on the show. I told her I was sharing my lung cancer journey. I remember she was in awe.

She asked me how long I had been living with lung cancer. While she was doing my makeup, I shared with her my lung cancer story. When she was done, I looked like a million bucks, but I remember she told me to continue my lung cancer fight and to share my story.

"You are making a difference, and never stop."

I'm proud to say I listened to her. Here I am, continuing to make a difference in the lung cancer world.

Advice from the hairdresser

After my makeup, I went to go see my personal hairstylist; he wasn’t as friendly as my makeup artist. But I understand he was there to do a job, and he did an amazing job with my hair.

He complimented me because my hair at that time was purple. I told him I’d had several different colors in my hair and even showed him some pictures of them. He really liked it and told me to continue to "live life and be you." He must have heard my previous conversation with my makeup gal.

Finalizing my look before the show

Once I was done, I went back into the room to pick out an outfit, shoes, and accessories! I found this beautiful purple blazer, and I matched it up with a blouse with prints on it and some black slacks. I wore it with some black pumps and some really cute hoop earrings. I was ready to walk on that stage and give it my all. In the meantime, my husband and I waited in the room until it was time.

Lights, camera, action!

The time has come to walk on that stage. They took my husband Steve to sit in the audience. He had the front row.

Then I came in and sat on the stage, and oh my goodness, I was so nervous and excited! Lights, camera, and action - we started.

It was so amazing, but wow, it went by too fast. Like my husband said, I got my ten minutes of fame, and that’s something I’ll never forget. It’s was the best experience ever, and so thankful for it.

My segment ended, and off the stage I went. We walked back into the room to change and get our personal items and luggage. But before the car took us to the airport, a very tall gentleman came up to me and gave me a hug.

Gratitude from a stranger

He said, "Thank you for sharing your story and giving many people living with cancer hope." His wife had breast cancer and was struggling, but he was going to share my story with her. I said, "You are very welcome, and please tell your wife I say fight like hell and don’t let cancer control you." Tell her I said, “You got this.” We hugged again and said our goodbyes.

My message to all: share your lung cancer story!

No matter where you’re at, share your story about lung cancer. I know some might not want to because of the stigma. But, it's just more of a reason to share so you can educate those that don’t know lung cancer is not a smoker’s disease.