Our first guest always makes me laugh on Modern Family.
>> [PHONE RINGING] >> That's a phone.
What is that?
Hello?
>> Hi, Ellen, it's Jeannie, I'm sorry to bother you,
do you got a real quick second for me?
>> I'm in the middle of a show, what's going on?
>> I'm sitting at reception,
I'm going through emails, and I found one that I think you've really got to
hear because I actually think these people are in the audience today.
>> Okay, go ahead.
>> Goes like this: Dear Ellen, >> I love watching your show every day.
Today, I'm having a tough time and wanted to tell you what your show means to me.
I am a 30 year old breast cancer survivor.
This week I found a new lump and
just learned I need to get an MRI to figure things out.
I am a strong person, but right now, I'm scared.
It was just five years that I had to go through multiple surgeries and
over five months of chemo.
My mom also had stage four cancer last year, so
it's been a rough go, I do my very best to stay positive.
And today, your show keeps me going.
I eagerly await four o'clock when I know you will bring me smiles and happiness.
Thank you for being there for
me, you truly are the best.
With hugs and hope, Kim Jaker.
>> Thanks, Jeannie.
Come on down Kim and Becky.
Wow, you had had no idea.
Did you know she wrote that letter?
I had a glimmer, but I didn't- >> Yeah, yeah,
you thought you were just coming to the show.
We have plenty of those, so don't you worry.
>> Thanks.
>> So Kim, you said that you found a lump.
So what's the latest with you?
>> I have very happy news to report I definitely do not have cancer again.
>> Fantastic. >> [APPLAUSE]
>> I'm so happy.
[APPLAUSE] >> [LAUGH] Yeah, yeah, I was just
getting to a milestone, which is the one-year mark after chemo and
your risk of recurrence goes way down.
And I've just been, I feel like I've been so far, and I'm just so thrilled.
>> Right, so.
>> Couldn't be happier.
>> Because you find a lump and you think, this cannot happen, and so.
>> Yeah. Benign, nothing.
Nothing, nothing.
So, you were diagnosed, it was ovarian cancer, is that right?
Yes, yes.
All right, so, five months later, when did you discover you have breast cancer?
I was diagnosed, my mom was diagnosed in March of 2014,
and then I was diagnosed in August.
>> Wow. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> It was a lot.
>> Yeah, it's a lot.
I mean, it's a lot for you to go through on your own and
you know it's hard on your family and it's hard for
you to watch your mom and then that must have broken your heart.
It must have helped you in a way that you had each other.
>> Yeah, it was.
>> Absolutely, I mean, >> In a weird way it was the most
helpful and best thing that could have happen to us.
I mean, you know, it was a terrible, terrible thing to have happened, but
my mom was right there the whole time and it was like.
When I had to go have my big surgery and my chemo,
I already knew at the infusion room looked like, and
you know, my mom and I actually carpooled to chemo together,
and we had treatment across the hall and when I lost my hair,
she already had her hair gone, and it was like, it was somewhat comforting in a way.
>> Just like you were comforting, because in her chemo
room they have the TV setup there just as a distraction, and you were the best.
You always made us laugh.
It was something we looked forward to every time we went.
>> We always looked forward to you.
We really did.
It was like the bright spot of our day every day.
>> You helped make it a party because we would sit there
>> And then we'd have her fiance Derek and
her two sisters Minnie and Lindsey come in.
And they'd go out for lunch, they'd bring us lunch, and we'd sit and watch you and
laugh, and laughter's the best medicine.
>> It sure is.
You know what I think, it should be mandatory in any chemo area for
my show to be on.
>> Right? Right? >> [APPLAUSE] >> [CROSSTALK]
>> It's a part of
>> [APPLAUSE] Chemo, Ellen.
I really do hear that a lot from people and I'm very moved and
honored by that, that I can help in any way get through something like that.
You had been with your boyfriend for ten years, is that right?
>> That's right, we had been together over ten years.
>> And you weren't planning on getting married anytime
soon?
>> No, not really.
I mean, we had thought about it, but we didn't really plan on it, but
then when my mom got sick I just wanted to make sure that she could be there.
So you got engaged >> We got engaged.
>> Then you were diagnosed, so you put plans off for marriage?
>> Right. I was diagnosed three weeks after we got
engaged, and we kind of put the peddle to the metal because time was of the essence.
So we really started planning and then all of a sudden I had this my own cancer and
I had to have hair, and my hair was going to go away,
my boobs were going to go away, so we set a date in September.
We were supposed to get married in September,
so now it's been postponed until summer again.
>> So this summer you're getting married?
>> Yes. >> I want to give you some wedding gifts.
>> Aw. >> It's something old, [APPLAUSE]
>> Something old and
I have something old for you.
>> My gosh.
>> It's an old wedding dress.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> My god, I'm going to wear it.
[LAUGH] >> Okay, yep.
An old wedding dress.
>> [LAUGH] >> And then, something,
>> It's perfect.
>> Yeah, it's going to fit perfectly.
Have a seat.
Then something new, and it's an Ellen garter.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> My god, thank you.
>> Okay. That's so cool.
>> Something borrowed, and I think you're going to like this a lot.
The guy who trims my bushes.
>> [LAUGH]
>> You guys.
Nick, the gardener who trims my bushes, in case you.
Nick, where are you?
>> [LAUGH] >> Okay, so.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> [LAUGH] There you go.
>> That's beautiful, thank you so much.
>> Yeah. >> Of course.
>> Nick, you're over dressed, it's summer time.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Okay.
And then something blue, right?
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
And blue, it's easy.
I mean, there's blue all over my set, it's my favorite color.
But I thought you should actually have something green because weddings
are expensive, so $10,000 is what I'm going to give you.
[APPLAUSE] Our friends at Shutterfly want to help you share
life's joy, and that is your wedding gift.
>> Thank you so much.
>> We'll be right back.