I did a super New Yorky thing today…I went to a taping of the Katie Couric show! It is my first time being a live audience member in a day time talk show. Needless to say, it was an amazing experience. My segment was not full of any uber-famous celebs or authors (unfortunately), but it was a look into daytime TV. It was a more solemn show about Amanda Knox’s ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, and the debut of his new book Honor Bound: My Journey to Hell and Back. But the bit that took the cake for me was an incredibly touching story about Joanna Montgomery, a new mom that found out she was diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer 5 days after the birth of her daughter.
We all know that Katie is no stranger to cancer in her family with the loss of her husband to colon cancer and her sister to pancreatic cancer, and has since become a passionate spokesperson for cancer awareness. When she read about Joanna’s experience with the disease on CafeMom she was instantly touched and wanted to spread the powerful story. After being diagnosed in December of 2011 during the pregnancy of her daughter, Joanna has been sharing her emotional journey as a new mom and cancer fighter and survivor in a CafeMom Studios series called “It’s Cancer, Baby.” Joanna shared that her new baby “saved her life” because the sudden C-section is what ultimately helped the doctors detect an otherwise asymptomatic cancer. The touching story got the audience a bit choked up and even had “Katie” staff handing out tissues during a commercial break.
I hope that listening to Joanna’s story is a call to people around the world to consider the opportunities for preventative care. Many of us live our healthy lifestyle day by day, but how you care for your body now can impact your health many years down the line. Take comfort in the small choices you make for your health now as they add up! The Mayo Clinic shares 7 cancer prevention tips that can reduce your risk:
- Avoid the use of tobacco
- Eat a healthy diet
- Include physical activity in your routine
- Protect yourself from the sun
- Keep up with your immunizations
- Steer clear of risky behavior
- Don’t skip your regular self-exams and professional screenings
This last point is of the utmost importance. Take early detection options seriously and stay on top of the screenings that are available to you. Cancer prevention is something you should take into your own hands and may ultimately help detect or properly treat cancer.
The “Katie” show is only it it’s second week, but is getting high ratings already. Katie has all of the skills to make her show a hit. She has flawless interview skills, a winning personality and decades of morning television charisma. Plus, she has fabulous taste in shoes…which any crowd of star-eyed woman audience members can appreciate! Set up your DVR for your peek into Katie’s fabulous sensibilities and life experiences shared throughout her interview on a slew of serious topics and important issues like cancer awareness as well as more lighthearted segments with our favorite people. Maybe you will see a glimpse of me!
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Thanks for sharing your fun experience and this important story Talia. I so wish I could have seen this show with you. What an incredible honor. I recently read a story about a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma right after the birth of her daughter. What a devastating thing to go through at what should be the happiest moment of you life. Very difficult. Thanks for sharing, Jana
It was an awesome experience even thought the story was a bit heartbreaking. She is such an incredible mom and it was fun to see Katie interact with them! I don’t know why I haven’t gone to more show tapings living here 🙂 Thanks for reading, Jana!
Great post! Katie went to my high school in Arlington, VA. I remember when she came back for Career Day and spoke to my English class about how to get ahead in Journalism. She said “Take Spanish,” when I was in my 3rd year of French. Oh well, I always watch her wistfully from the sidelines. Happy the show is doing well so far.
Wow! You have some fun Katie facts…I took Spanish, but barely remember anything pass the basics. Oops. She is definitely in the right field and a wise journalism woman!