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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 8:34 pm
Very Sad News: Former Survivor Battles Breast Cancer http://people.aol.com/people/articles/0,19736,1118164,00.html Jenn Lyon had it all – beauty and reality-TV fame as a competitor on Survivor: Palau. Now, the 33-year-old tells PEOPLE about breast cancer – and why for her reconstructive surgery was the first step to feeling better In the summer of 2004, I felt something in my right breast that didn't feel normal. They always describe cancer in terms of a pea, right? Well, this was more like several rocks strung together. I thought it was probably scar tissue related to my breast implants. So I let it go—for a long time. I got my saline implants six years ago. It was just something in my head that I thought I needed to do for self-esteem, to balance myself out. Before, I was a large A-cup, and the implants changed me to a small C-cup. At the time I noticed the lumps I didn't have insurance, which was a big part of why I didn't get it checked immediately. I went on the Internet and thought, "It is scar tissue. No big deal." But a year later, I felt another lump right in the center of the breast and something in my right armpit. I saw a surgeon who said, "I'm pretty sure you have breast cancer." After a mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy, it was confirmed—stage III. I opted to get a modified, radical bilateral mastectomy on Aug. 29 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. A surgeon removed both my breasts and 29 lymph nodes. After my mastectomy, a plastic surgeon put in "spacers" to expand my chest muscles to make room for the new implants—smaller silicone implants this time. A second operation Oct. 5 completed the process. My new implants have been a huge boost to my spirit. In a week or so, I start a four- to six-month course of chemotherapy, followed by tamoxifen, a drug designed to prevent a recurrence. My doctor has warned me I may stop having my period and go into early menopause. That’s tough because I haven't had kids yet. Being on Survivor has helped in every sense of the word. My doctor told me, "You have beautiful hair, and you’re going to lose it." But Coby Archa, the Texas hairdresser who was in my Survivor tribe, says he's going to shave my head for me—and shave his too. Survivor taught me there’s an end in sight. As hard as it is, it will be over, and you have to appreciate every day. To read the full story, pick up the Oct. 24 issue of PEOPLE on newsstands now.
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Watching2
Member
07-07-2001
| Monday, October 17, 2005 - 4:37 pm
I was just going to add this one Lady. This is sad, indeed. I'm glad she finally got herself to a doctor!
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Happymom
Member
01-20-2003
| Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 8:14 am
This story makes me feel very sad. It is touching that Coby will help and support her.
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Babyjaxmom
Member
10-20-2002
| Tuesday, October 25, 2005 - 3:50 pm
I saw this on TV the other night and read about it in People. Just wanted to add that she's been dating Brian from Amazing Race 7 (the adorable brothers, Brian and Greg). They've only been dating for 5 or 6 months, but he's being very supportive of her. Lucky girl to have someone as sweet as Brian helping her through this ordeal. I wish the best to both of them.
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Padivius
Member
08-21-2003
| Monday, November 14, 2005 - 1:25 pm
I came here with the intent of posting this: I'm not sure how tactful it is now that I've read the last few posts. That is indeed sad news and I'm sure we all hope the best for Jenn. But what I was going to say (on a much lighter, inquisitive note) is that there's an Old Navy commercial running right now advertisiing "boy cut" girl's jeans, and a girl who looks very much like Jenn is the narrator for the commercial. I was wondering whether it was her. I suppose it isn't, though. Anyways, tell me what you think.
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Sherbabe
Member
07-28-2002
| Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 9:00 am
Survivor: Palau and Guatemala castaway Stephenie LaGrossa wed her longtime boyfriend, high-school history teacher Michael Ward, 33, on Friday in Seaside Heights, N.J., the Jersey Shore town where they first met. The wedding had a beach theme, with the motto "Life's a Beach" printed on fans, drink stirrers and candles. "We're huge beach people," LaGrossa, 26, tells PEOPLE. "He loves to surf. I love the beach. We wanted to definitely have something on the beach." Guests included Palau winner Tom Westman and Guatemala champ Danni Boatwright. LaGrossa, a former pharmaceutical sales rep who now models and makes TV and personal appearances, grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia and now lives in Toms River, N.J. She was a fan favorite on 2005's Survivor: Palau, in which she outlasted every one of her Ulong tribemates and even fended for herself in their desolate camp. But when she joined the competing Koror tribe, she was voted off the island. Later that year, she competed again on Survivor: Guatemala, a reunion show in which she went up against other competitors from previous seasons. She made it to the final two, but ultimately lost the $1 million prize to Boatwright, a Kansas beauty queen. While on Palau, she received a romantic – and funny – letter from Ward. "My boyfriend kissed his letter with, I think, eye shadow he found at my house, because it was orange!" she told PEOPLE. "He wrote, 'Here's a kiss from me to you with your own lipstick – or at least I think it's lipstick.' I was laughing so hard!"
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Teachmichigan
Member
07-22-2001
| Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 10:56 am
Guatemala wasn't a "reunion" show -- it only had Steph and BobbyJon as "returnees." And while Dani may be a "beauty queen" her REAL job was sports broadcasting. Dontcha' wish reporters would WATCH the shows they write about! 
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Teachmichigan
Member
07-22-2001
| Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 10:57 am
Whoops -- forgot to say CONGRATS to Steph, though! Hope she and her new DH are very happy.
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Spear
Member
08-06-2001
| Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 10:15 pm
I think the beauty queen designation is because Danni represented Kansas in Miss Teen USA and Miss USA pageants.
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Teachmichigan
Member
07-22-2001
| Sunday, July 09, 2006 - 9:52 am
Yup, Spear -- you got it. I just meant that her time w/the two pageants was her "real" job. 
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Roxip
Member
01-29-2004
| Monday, July 10, 2006 - 4:26 am
I'm glad you reminded me about the sports thing because I couldn't even remember who Danni was! Now I remember though - she got scary skinny during her time on Survivor.
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Teachmichigan
Member
07-22-2001
| Monday, July 10, 2006 - 10:54 am
OMG -- OLN just had the Guatemala finale on this week -- remember Dani's LIPS at the reunion! LOL THEY sure weren't anorexic looking then! She was also the one who first "outed" Gary and recognized him from his football days w/her 7 brothers and her dad. (Can you tell Guatemala was one of my favorites? It had sooo much culture infused in the challenges that I was able to show many challenges in my Spanish class AND give a culture lesson with it!)
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Jeff33
Member
07-05-2009
| Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 3:38 am
SAD NEWS according to Eliza Orlins Twitter 2/27/72-1/19/10 Jenn Lyon brought more good to this world in her almost 38 years than most will in a lifetime. Jenn, I'll miss you. R.I.P.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 6:02 am
RIP Jenn
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Wilsonatmd
Member
01-23-2001
| Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 7:00 am
And I'm sort of shocked- 301 Survivor players over 10+ years, and this is the first one of them to die...
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Dfennessey
Member
07-25-2004
| Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 7:44 am
she was so young. I am sad
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Jimmer
Moderator
08-30-2000
| Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 8:18 am
That is very sad news.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 11:54 am
Very sad:
quote:'Survivor' Star Jennifer Lyon Dies of Breast Cancer 5 CommentsBy PopEater Staff Posted Jan 20th 2010 02:14PM PRINT E-MAIL More Jennifer Lyon, who earned fourth place on 'Survivor Palau,' died Tuesday at home in Oregon after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. She was 37. "She had beaten it into remission once, but then it came back and was in her bones," 'Survivor: Micronesia' star Eliza Orlins told TVGuide.com. UsMagazine.com confirmed the sad news. The former nanny was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer two months after the tenth season of 'Survivor' wrapped in 2005. That year, she told PEOPLE about finding out about the cancer and how she was forced to get a bilateral mastectomy that summer. "In the summer of 2004, I felt something in my right breast that didn't feel normal," Lyon said. "I thought it was probably scar tissue related to my breast implants. So I let it go -- for a long time." Lyon, who had become an advocate for other women struggling with the disease, thanked fans on her Web site, which still displays the message. Thank you so much to everyone for sending their encouragement and prayers. It means so much to me and every single one is appreciated. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Jenn Austin Carty, another 'Survivor' alum, called Lyon a "genuinely selfless, sweet-natured person." "She was engaged in the greatest fight of her life, but she had every intention to fight and spread her positive messages," Carty said.
http://www.popeater.com/2010/01/20/survivor-star-jennifer-lyon-dies-of-breast-cancer/
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