TLC airs special ‘Say Yes to the Cure: Lori’s Fight’ Oct. 26
Lori Allen goes personal with a special Friday at 10 p.m. on TLC about her battle with breast cancer
Lori Allen is known as the no-nonsense style expert and mediator/moderator at Bridals by Lori in Sandy Springs. She is the star of not just one, but two, TLC reality programs; “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta,” and “Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids.”
But you’ll see a very different side of her at 10 p.m. Friday.
On April 17 at 7:05 a.m., the 52-year-old entrepreneur found out she had breast cancer.
“It was a life-changing moment,” she told me earlier this week. “I’ve spoken to other women and they all remember the exact date and time. It’s so shocking. I’ve always been so healthy. I’ve always taken care of myself. This diagnosis came out of the clear blue.”
You’ll watch her journey during TLC’s “Say Yes to the Cure: Lori’s Fight.” For the first time, you’ll meet her husband and children and see her home.
Allen said she almost skipped her annual mammogram, given how busy her life is. But fortunately, she did. “If I had waited a year, I would have been a mess,” she said. “A major mess.”
Within three days, she and the “Say Yes to the Dress” executive producer decided this might be worth filming. The hour-long special shows the emotional roller coaster she goes through. “I did this with hopes that somebody facing the same diagnosis would be less afraid,” she said, “and how important mammograms are.”
She first had a lumpectomy but that didn’t clear out all the abnormal cells. So in the end, she chose to have a double mastectomy. (She gave props to her cancer surgeon Iqbal Garcha.)
She also chose to have immediate plastic surgery immediately, crediting Dr. Diane Alexander. “I didn’t want to go around flat as a board, not that I was very big in the first place,” she said. “I wanted to feel normal.”
Allen said the recovery has been emotionally draining. But speaking to the cameras while going through the ordeal “was like therapy. Every day was tough. I never cried so much in my life.”
“All day long, I’m dressing women and wanting them to look fabulous,” she added. “I have to feel good in order to convey to them that they feel good.”
With TLC promoting the special, Allen said she’s already received thousands of emails and gifts in snail mail, including knitted sweaters, blankets and teddy bears. “I have been absolutely amazed,” she said. She was also invited this week for a breast cancer awareness party at Vice President Joe Biden’s home in D.C.
In the end, she said, “it’s a story of hope.”
On TV
“Say Yes to the Cure: Lori’s Fight,” 10 p.m., Friday, TLC
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter. Oh, and Google +, too!
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
84 comments Add your comment
Beulah
October 27th, 2012
12:33 am
Just watched ‘Say Yes To The Cure, Lori’s Story’. What a wonderfully moving episode! Lori, her family, friends & co-workers were all so inspiring, such caring, loving people. You all do so much more than sell dresses. You provide some of the meaningful memories that help hold marriages together through the tough times & there will be tough times. Love your show, it is television at it’s best! Prayers for your complete recovery, Lori.
France
October 27th, 2012
12:36 am
Dear Lori
I watch the show weekly! God bless you and the Family(staff included,family) You are a strong LADY,keep your POWER and with God’s hand in it YOU will be just fine,you are in my prayers and a special candle will be lite for you this sunday ! Love ya girl,!!!!
Dorothy Roberts
October 27th, 2012
12:41 am
All I can say is BRAVO. Watching your time going through breast cancer was like watching my own life. The diagnosis, the biopsy, the results, the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy. Your thoughts and concerns for your family. The months of recovery. The one difference was I had Chemo. This is the first cancer story that was not a fantasy. You told the story like it is. Your story should be a film that is shown to cancer patients to let them know they will come out the other side a whole working female member of the world. You may be missing a couple of pieces but they weren’t all that important after all. BRAVO to you and TLC for sharing.
Odily
October 27th, 2012
12:42 am
Lori, Your fight is a tough one. However, Faith moves mountains! “” if you have Faith the size of a mustard seed you can tell the mountain to go from here to there, in the name of Jesus it shall be done” All you need to beat this is ask in Faith and it shall be done. st ay in Faith ! Think ink! Colors are very powerful representatives of emotions. I love pink from a spiritual stand point. rRed e represents the Holy Spirit ( the fire of the Holy Spirit) white represents purity, light ( Jesus is the Light of the world) I hope the visual helps you! With love and peace,my prayers are with you and your family
Maria
October 27th, 2012
12:45 am
Dear Lori ,, You are in my prayers .. I do not know u personally but i feel like u are family .. you must have the biggest Heart ,,you are special and strong ,,i know you can fight this ..Sending big Hugs ..from Upland IND ….I AM PRAYING AND GOD IS WATCHING OVER YOU
Liz brannon
October 27th, 2012
1:18 am
i had the same dilemma, and had bilateral mactomies with recostruction using tram flap procedure. That was a long tortured, painful recovery. with complications. I would recommend just a simple breast implant route, not the back muscle which must remain attached to a blood supply source/ best wishes for a quick recovery.
Stella
October 27th, 2012
1:27 am
Aww! My dearest happy, jovial Lori I wish u d best as u fight this cancer, u r in my thought and prayer, hugs… Am crying!!! Love u. Jehovah is with u. I wish u quick recovery.
lia from Los Angeles
October 27th, 2012
2:29 am
Lori, so sorry what you went through. I felt for you seeing the show. I never miss it because love it
very much. You have great support and we keep you in our prayers.
Maybe we meet in the coming year since my daughter will need a wedding gown.
love and hugs.
Margaret Johnson
October 27th, 2012
3:34 am
I just watched THE episode!! First, I am sooooo glad you are Cancer free. Thank you for sharing your very intimate decisions with us. You have given so many women the courage to walk forward. I have had two lymphoma scares, but as yet I am not affected. I can only imagine the terror you felt at first.
May God continue to bless you, your wonderful family and all the friends working with you.
Jacque
October 27th, 2012
4:00 am
Enter your comments here
DeeDee
October 27th, 2012
4:00 am
Lori
My prayers are with you and your family. I believe that your personal journey to fight breast cancer will impact your viewers. I’m sure that being in the public eye was even more challenging but you’re our inspiration of strength. Stay strong and know that your viewers support you and wish you the best!
Julie
October 27th, 2012
6:53 am
Lori, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have had a lump removed, I understand the scare. You are so brave to go through this in front of cameras. But it is people like you that take your situation, as painful as it is, to educate others. God Bless You and your family and I hope you have a speedy recovery.
Pat
October 27th, 2012
9:56 am
Like so many women I love you and your show, and I know with so many people praying for you, you will end up just fine. You’re the sweetest and most lovable woman and we all admire your courage to film this for all of us to share along with you as we feel we know you as a friend.
Pat from Toledo
Lynda
October 27th, 2012
10:16 am
Thank you for sharing your story with all of us. I had a brain tumor removed 7 1/2 years ago, afterwords I had to learn how to walk, talk and eat again. It took me years and countless therapys to come back. In June of this year after being hospitalized for 4 days, the tumor was back. And again I had the tumor removed in August, and again going through therapy for motion sickness and vertigo. My only blessing is it was not cancerous. Like you my blessing was my family, my husband which is my rock, my 2 girls and my parents and in laws. My poor husband has had to clean up after me on many occasions. I cried watching your show because I know first hand the up hill battle you are goind through. For myself everyday is a bonus day, because my first tumor was so large and did so much damage. My life has changed so much since 2005 but I tell you your outlook on life changes and you learn to appreciate things so much more. I send my prayers and love to you and your family and hope everything goes well in your recovery. Lynda from New York
Sue Welch
October 27th, 2012
10:33 am
I am a big fan of your show ! I am so sorry to hear of your cancer but you are in my thought’s and prayers may God be with you and your Family through your battle .
Kevin McNamara
October 27th, 2012
11:06 am
xoxoxoxxoxo Lori you are a class act and did an amazing thing for wmen today with your oopeness. I am happy you are so strong and A strong kick ass women
XOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXO
XOXOXOXOXXOXOXOX
Marie C. Jubie
October 27th, 2012
11:58 am
I wanted to comment on the Say yes to the dress last night. God bless Lori for her bravery and openess.
She chose to share this dreadful situation with America helping women to be proactive and have their mamograms. I cried and cried. Lori is a hero and I am goinjg to have a long over due mamogram. I thank Lori’s family,her staff and all the medical personel who participated, as well.No doubt Lori saved many lives!
Think Pink,
My prayers are with Lori and her people,
Marie C. Jubie
Jody Galloway
October 27th, 2012
2:23 pm
Lori,
I know you will beat breast cancer. I am wearing pink in support for you and all those ladies that are battling cancer. Breast cancer runs in my family so I know your fight.
Best wishes,
Jody
ramona parrino
October 27th, 2012
3:57 pm
This was so timely appropriate for me because i was just diagnosed with breast cancer and will have a double mastectomy on Nov 7.Lori’s courage and spunk and determination to fight this dreaded disease gave me hope and courage and an insite to what i will be facing on the 7.I will not have reconstructive surgery.Lori will never know how much this helped and will help in my battle.God bless and keep you Lori,I love you.and thanks for filming this “true story”OF SAY YES TO THE MASTECTOMY .
Helen
October 27th, 2012
6:28 pm
I am so sorry you had to go through this, may you have many, many happy healthy years . God bless
Kay
October 27th, 2012
8:43 pm
Lori,
While watching your journey thru breast cancer, I too remember the time & day, Dec. 31, 1990 at 3:30 PM. I think that is one thing you never forget. Instead of bringing in the new year, we were facing a rough time ahead. First they said I only needed radiation, then the radiologist said it wasn’t the best treatment for me. I had a mastectomy on right side with immediate reconstruction, but my body rejected the implants, so I went thru 4 operations before I decided to just remove it. It was a really hard time, and like you, I did’t know how to tell my family & friends. I am now 21 years later (Thank God!), have had a few biopsies on left side and really wish they would remove it as I never feel comfortable and like a woman. I wish the very best for you and hope that this surgry will mean you never have to go thru it again. Love your show & how you help so many women that have gone thru what I have been thru.
Mary Lynn
October 27th, 2012
9:47 pm
Lori
I just wanted you to know that I had Breast Cancer. I also had a lumpectomy It has been 7 years and no more cancer. They also wanted to go back in and check limp nodes. But after talking with the radiation doctor he advised against it. I did go thru the radiation. I cried when I watched it, because I really love the shows and you have such a great postitive attitude about what you went thru.
charity ward
October 28th, 2012
12:34 am
I love your show and the things you do to make brides feel beautiful on their wedding day is awesome you are in my prayers and i hope that you get better and i want to wish you good luck and best wishes to you and your family God bless
Karen
October 28th, 2012
5:04 am
Lori, I watched the show last night… I am also a survivor of breast cancer, and I have to say your story is great… but not all breast cancer stories are that wonderful… mine isn’t. We lost our house because of the cost of treatment, and chemo and the mastectomy have left me unable to work….I watch the show all the time because I never got to be the decked out bride…never had the gorgeous dress, or bridesmaids… my life has been a train wreck… I am so thrilled that you have had a great success story… my one wish is that no one ever gives money to the Komen Foundation… there are cures out there beyond the U.S. — but our government won’t put them into practice here— and the Komen Foundation is probably one of the worst charities to give to… more money goes into administration than into a cure, or helping the women that are going through this horrid disease… I love pink… but I refuse to donate to a charity that wouldn’t help me out when I needed them.
Susan L. Smith
October 28th, 2012
7:37 pm
Dear Lori, Sending my best wishes for good health to you. You are an inspiration to all women and thank you for sharing your personal experience – you are a strong woman and very much appreciated. God Bless You!!!
Mary
October 29th, 2012
7:07 am
My husband and mother are both breast cancer survivors.
I will now add Lori to the list. Thank you for sharing your
brave story with us. God Bless.
Pitchy
October 29th, 2012
10:09 am
I wish Lori and her family a speedy recovery. I really like her and she is to very brave to air this for her fans to join her on such a personal journey. May God’s armour continue to surround you and yours!
MarySmith
October 29th, 2012
1:00 pm
I wish you the best in all you are going through, I was very close to my Momma and lost her to cancer , she was my rock and I was her’s. I have been watching your show ever since it started. I love it never had my Momma help me or even be there for my weddings. So watching your show and seeing the brides with thier Momma’s fills a void. Thank you so much. Keep fighting and you will win you are in my prayers
Kelly
October 29th, 2012
2:48 pm
Lori
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with you and your family
Pam
October 30th, 2012
5:37 pm
Dear Lori
My prayers are with you. I had a double done 5 years ago. And breast reconstruction. Like you boobs were not the thing for me. But I too wanted to to look good. And I feel GREAT now. Cancer free because I did have the double. I live in Toronto. Lori I was scared to death but prayers and very good friend and family helped me. You are such a beautiful lady. I am praying for. God Bless you. Take care. Love you.
Pam
Teresa Riley
October 31st, 2012
6:18 pm
Lori,
I cannot tell you how much I admire you and thank you for sharing not only this difficult time in your life but allowing us to know the options that are out there should this come into our lives. My mother was diagnosed two years ago and at age 85 decided on a double as well but without reconstructive surgery. She is doing well and thankfully still a feisty woman. I never miss your show and had to tape this episode and watch it alone as I knew I would be a crying mess. Just watched it and want you to know that you are an amazing woman who has given hope to many. May you and your family know much good health and happiness.
With Love and deepest respect
Teresa
Sue Lyles
November 1st, 2012
11:17 pm
Dear Lori,
My daughter (34) and I watched your show and appreciated all your informative commentary on the proceedings. They would be of great help to anyone facing this crisis. Since you are so recognizable and such a true lady, as my grandmother would say, it is wonderful that you are so strong and brave. Shows the rest of the world what a true “woman” is supposed to be. We both send our best wishes and prayers to you and your family, both at home and at work. We know you’ll be just fine, with the good Lord’s help and all these prayers and well wishes. Our best, Sue
Selena
November 2nd, 2012
12:47 am
My dad has survived for cancers why dont we give him a show.
Selena
November 2nd, 2012
12:48 am
Actually there have been 14 cancer diagnoses in my family in a 17 year period.