‘The Voice’ Singer Virginia Lillye, 54, Battling Cancer Says She’d Be a ‘Complete Mess’ Without Her Husband After Reaching Remission Only for Cancer To Return
‘The Voice’ Singer Virginia Lillye, 54, Battling Cancer Says She’d Be a ‘Complete Mess’ Without Her Husband After Reaching Remission Only for Cancer To Return
“The Voice” singer Virginia Lillye, 54, is hopeful she’s nearing the end of her treatment journey amid stage 3 ovarian cancer. She credits the love and support of her husband and family for helping her throughout her year-long cancer journey.
Spouses and partners of loved ones diagnosed with cancer often assume caregiver roles. Gynecologic oncologist Dr. Jayanthi Lea encourages caregivers to come to doctor visits and engage with their care by asking questions and helping their loved ones fulfill treatment recommendations.
Sometimes, a cancer diagnosis can strengthen a relationship. Psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin recommends cancer patients surround themselves with people who care for and support them throughout treatment while also acknowledging their limits on what they can handle.
Although Lillye reached remission briefly, tests revealed signs of concern, resulting in additional treatment.
Ovarian cancer recurrence (cancer returning after initial treatment) happens in “almost 25 percent of cases with early-stage diseases and in more than 80 percent with more advanced stages,” according to research published in Gland Surgery medical journal.
“The Voice” singer Virginia Lillye, 54, admittedly has been on an emotional rollercoaster while battling stage 3 ovarian cancer. Through it all – including a brief period of remission – the “Call Me” singer had her husband Julian by her side, making the journey just a tad bit easier.
“I’d be a complete mess if it wasn’t for the endless love and unwavering support from my insanely indestructible husband and my incredible family,” Lillye said in a grateful Instagram post.
Lillye’s more popular songs circulated the airwaves regularly in 2020, with “Call Me” and “Tightrope.”
According to Daily Mail Australia, Lillye has performed alongside notable rockstars, including KISS member Gene Simmons, Poison’s Richie Kotzen, and Guns ‘N’ Roses’ Gilby Clarke. However, her fans realized she had been missing in action last summer thanks to the onset of ovarian cancer.
“Exactly one year ago today, I was given the devastating news that I had stage 3 ovarian cancer. Our world was knocked sideways as we painfully navigated our way through the toughest and most challenging of times,” Lillye wrote.
(@virginialillye.official/Instagram)
During her cancer journey, the popular songstress says she’s learned “many lessons,” including clearing out “old thought patterns” and changing bad habits.
Lillye says she has two more cycles of chemotherapy to endure before finishing her planned treatment.
“By this time next year, I’d like to be living a completely normal life. One without cannulas, one with no medication, and one with absolutely no toxic substance entering my body,” Lillye said.
Helping Patients Understand Treatment Options for Ovarian Cancer
A life-altering diagnosis can impact the patient and their loved ones emotionally and physically.
Research published in The Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine studied the impact of a cancer diagnosis or disease on family members. It found, “Most chronic diseases have similar effects on family members including psychological and emotional functioning, disruption of leisure activities, effect on interpersonal relationships, and financial resources.”
Feelings of “helplessness, lack of control, guilt, anger, embarrassment” are some common emotions parents, siblings, and other relatives within the household of someone battling a health condition may experience, according to researchers.
Communicating your feelings is something licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin also believes is vital to helping couples dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
She adds that people faced with cancer should “surround [themselves] with individuals who care and support [them]” throughout treatment while also acknowledging their limits on what they can handle.
Virginia’s Ongoing Cancer Journey
Lillye is a singer who has performed alongside legendary performers as part of KISS, Guns ‘N’ Roses, and more. Last summer, eagle-eyed fans noticed she wasn’t sharing photos and videos of her shows as frequently as she once did. Her dormancy stemmed from a stage 3 ovarian cancer diagnosis.
“You may have noticed the absence of posts related to gigs and shows,” Lillye said on Instagram.
Ovarian cancer has been called the “cancer that whispers” because women often don’t experience symptoms until their cancer has already reached its late stages. The symptoms that do appear at first are hard to identify as cancer.
“Ovarian cancer does not have any specific symptoms,” Dr. Beth Karlan, a gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Medical Center, told SurvivorNet.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer may include the following, according to SurvivorNet experts.
A feeling of bloating or fullness
Pain in the pelvis or abdomen
Nausea
Vomiting
Changes in bowel habits
WATCH: Treating ovarian cancer.
“I have a long road of recovery ahead with round one of chemo ticked off already and am heading for round two,” Lillye said in July 2023.
Her treatment included multiple rounds of chemotherapy and a full hysterectomy.
A hysterectomy is a procedure that removes part or all of the uterus (or womb), often along with the cervix, according to the National Cancer Institute. Women who receive a diagnosis of uterine, ovarian, and cervical cancer may have their cancer treated with a hysterectomy.
Amid treatment, Lillye experienced hair loss. She remained in high spirits, fueled by her husband’s willingness to shave his head alongside her.
“The hair has fallen out, and my husband, being the amazing human that he is, has supportively shaved his locks off, too,” Lillye said.
After a challenging surgery and additional rounds of chemotherapy, Lillye said she felt herself getting stronger mentally.
The standard of care for ovarian cancer patients is chemotherapy, which helps many patients reach remission.
Ovarian cancer recurrence happens in “almost 25 percent of cases with early-stage diseases and in more than 80 percent with more advanced stages,” according to research published in Gland Surgery medical journal. With recurrence a strong possibility for this disease, especially in the later stages of ovarian cancer, certain drug treatments to deal with it are giving many women hope.
Maintenance therapy is continued treatment after the patient finishes their initial treatment. After an ovarian cancer patient completes a round of treatments — such as surgery and chemotherapy — her doctor may recommend some form of maintenance therapy to try and delay possible recurrence. Maintenance therapy can involve taking an oral pill called a PARP inhibitor every day after chemotherapy and can keep cancer in remission longer.
Genetic testing helps doctors determine the best maintenance therapy.
WATCH: How your ovarian cancer responds to certain types of chemotherapies guides your future treatments.
At the start of 2024, Lillye received her last round of chemotherapy, or so she thought. A couple of months later, in March 2024, recurring CT cans detected something concerning.
“My recent CT scan has shown evidence of fluid on my left lung with thickening on the lining. What would normally be considered as not an issue, the fact that my CA125 blood level count has jumped from 13 to 74, has my team worried,” Lillye explained.
In the end, her care team told her she needed to restart chemotherapy.
“Back in the saddle for my target therapy,” Lillye said.
Lillye remains hopeful after undergoing two additional cycles of chemo; tests will no longer find any evidence of cancer.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you’re going through cancer treatment and experiencing hair loss, here are some questions you may consider asking your doctor:
Are there any treatments to help manage or minimize my hair loss?
What are scalp-cooling devices, and how do they work?
Do you recommend scalp-cooling devices?
What other options are available to help me cope with hair loss?
Can you recommend a wig maker?
I’m struggling mentally with my hair loss; can you recommend a therapist to talk to?
How can I find a local support group with people going through similar things?
