For a lot of families dealing with cancer, milestones and holidays can be a time for family, gratitude, and for celebrating what we have. For Beth Chapman, the celebrated bounty hunter, this Father’s Day was the perfect time to step back from the drama that has unfolded in her family, and to celebrate the man who has been by her side for 14 years and helped her through her Stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis. It also couldn’t have been a better time to acknowledge the other men in her life.
“Was a great Fathers day #Grandsons #greatgrandson #dogsmostwanted#GGB #wgnamerica,” Beth wrote alongside an Instagram post of her husband Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter”, two of her grandsons, and her great grandson, who lies in Dog’s arms.
Recognizing the importance of Father’s Day to Beth, as well as the significance of celebrating Dog as he and Beth continue to face the difficulties of her cancer journey, one fan commented on the post, “Hey mama u got this! God is such a great miracle worker and you’ve got a great support system.”
Beth and Dog hold hands in an expression of love in a picture from their new show “Dog’s Most Wanted.”
Another commented on the family’s strength, and expressed hope for their continued triumph during this difficult time. “Amazing, keep strong and staying the wonderful people you are best wishes.”
Stage 4 lung cancer has, by definition, spread throughout the body. “Stage 4 lung cancer means that beyond the disease you can see in the chest and the bone and the liver and the brain, there is invariably invisible metastatic disease, and we don’t know which of these spots is going to make you sick,” said Dr. Oxnard, Thoracic Oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, in a previous interview with SurvivorNet about stage four lung cancer.
Which is why doctors want to devise a plan to treat every part of a patient with stage four cancer. “Stage 4 means, treat the whole body– visible and invisible spots,” said Dr. Oxnard.
Beth Chapman in a moment of contemplation.
In order to do that, doctors have moved away from just chemotherapy, and begun targeting treatment to the behavior of an individual’s disease, after learning about the biology of a patient’s specific tumor. “The way we plan Stage 4 lung cancer today is using precision therapy. It’s the idea of moving away from just chemotherapy for all into finding the right medicine for the right patient.”
Dr. Geoffrey Oxnard, Thoracic Oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute gives an overview of information about treatment for stage four lung cancer
The field of late stage lung cancer treatment has changed a lot over the past decade. “10 years ago, all patients who presented with lung cancer ended up getting chemo, ” Dr. Oxnard continued. “Today, about half of patients get chemo up front. But another quarter of patients can get a pill therapy upfront, which can effectively control the cancer.”
And there are now some available immunotherapy drugs, which use the body’s own immune system to attack the disease. “And a quarter of patients can get immune therapy upfront, which can effectively control the cancer, sometimes very durably,” said Dr. Oxnard.
Beth’s Decision To Stay Away From Chemo
Beth has kept relatively mum about which treatment she is making use of, with the exception of her declaration that chemo is simply not for her. This likely stems from Beth's first bout with cancer. She was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2017. She underwent surgery and was declared cancer-free. However, she was diagnosed for the second time in late 2018 this time with stage 4 lung cancer. In the emotional "chemotherapy is not my bag" speech she gave on Mothers Day, Beth, a devout Christian, explained that she considered the cancer to be an "ultimate test of faith." She explained that she's truly putting her faith in God as she continues this battle.
Fan’s of hers and of her show have written to her on social media to express their concern for the reality star’s health. One fan named Sara took to Instagram to beg Beth to reconsider. "Oh miss beautiful," she wrote. "The news is saying you have decided to stop chemo. Please rethink that. My husband's aunt done the same and then sadly regretted it after. And it was [too] late. Please please think this through 10000 percent."
Another fan, who goes by the name ChrisannRN on Twitter, offered Beth prayers, as well as some medical advice. "So many options for chemo!!!" she wrote. "There's also immunotherapy. I'd be happy to share more with you if you'd like to DM. Thoughts and prayers are with you!!!"
Another fan named John took to Twitter to emphasize the dangers of ignoring modern medicine. "Beth, I read you are choosing alternative therapies for [your] illness instead of chemo/radiation. I hope this is just a rumor. If you turn your back on modern medicine and go this route I can assure you nothing good will come of it," he wrote.
Happy Father’s Day From WGA
WGA, the network that is set to air the upcoming spinoff of “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” called “Dog’s Most Wanted,” also posted on Instagram to commemorate the holiday.
The Instagram post, reading “Happy #FathersDay! Who’s your favorite #WGNAmericadad?” puts Dog in a pic stitch with five other dad’s from WGA shows, and asks followers to choose their favorite.
Beth, in turn, tweeted a link to the Instagram post in recognition of her husband’s place among the dad’s of WGA, and to celebrate her personal favorite.
And fans took the opportunity to tell Beth that they are praying for her during her cancer journey. “I’m a huge fan of you and dog I’m praying for u for a speedy recovery and you dog your your team are the best,” wrote one follower.
“Happy Father's Day to all the Chapman men with children. Love you all Beth your always in my heart and prayers. Were going love you through this. You have been a blessing to me and other woman that you have taught that men should not hurt you and always treat you as a queen,” wrote another devoted fan.
