O'Neil says she immediately thought of Jones, who went through a particularly bad divorce in 2005 while fighting breast cancer. "Lynn's story is very common... and I do think the way she has handled herself, combined with her breast cancer, is absolutely inspirational to other people," O'Neil says. "Somebody has to be willing to tell an unfortunate story so other people will know that they can make it through too."

Jones says she was more than willing to expose a painful part of her life on national television if her story helps someone else. "Divorce just predominates now," Jones says. "To me, it's worse than cancer, and I've been through that three times."

Jones hasn't seen the show, and she declines to discuss the gift she received as part of her appearance. But the biggest gift is helping others by showing that they can overcome divorce, she says.

This article first appeared in Texas Lawyer magazine's June 11, 2007 issue. Michelle May O'Neil can be reached at (972) 852-8000. View her Divorce Magazine profile.