Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to Renee Baio’s meningioma brain tumors as cancer. (While non-cancerous, her tumors are still very serious). The article also misstated Scott Baio’s age.
A lot of people in the SurvivorNet community don’t have cancer themselves, but are close to someone who does. For people caring for a loved one or a spouse with cancer, the journey is often very rewarding, and also very difficult. As Scott Baio, 58, known for his role as Cachi Arcola in ABC’s sitcom “Happy Days” and it’s spinoff “Joanie Loves Chachi,” cares for his wife Renee during her treatment for meningioma brain tumors, Beth Chapman, reality TV bounty hunter with her husband “Dog” in the show “Dog The Bounty Hunter,” let him know how much caregiving has meant to her during her cancer journey.
Read MoreBeth Chapman (@MrsdogC) June 13, 2019
And fans of the two stars have jumped in to express their agreement about the importance of the care-taking role. “It’s harder than most people want to acknowledge. Care Givers. I hadn’t had times for myself when taking care of my husband when he was recently alive, (dead weeks ago) with his CANCER(S)! Absolutely NO HELP,” wrote one fan.
“Good afternoon Mrs Beth Chapmen..I feel the same way about Scott my husband David is the same thing he takes really good care of me and I thank him for that…I just want u to get better. I am praying for u and big Daddy. Love u Mama,” wrote another.
Survivors tell us about the importance of caregivers
A lot of survivors have told us that their spouse was a huge help during their treatment, making a terrible experience bearable and beatable. Tiffany Dyba told us in a earlier interview about her experience with cancer, and how her husband was there to help in little ways, that made a huge difference.
Tiffany Dyba on getting through cancer with her husband by her side
Dyba was vacationing with her husband in Iceland when she found a lump on her breast. When they got home, she was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. She was just 35. Instead of dwelling on her diagnosis, Tiffany decided to focus on doing what she had to do.
And her husband, Steve, has been right there with her the whole time. "I called my husband [after the diagnosis]. He came home early with a six-pack of IPA and Chinese food. We had a good cry, we binge watched 'The Office' and then we got to scheduling all of our doctor appointments," Tiffany says.
Tiffany tolds SurvivorNet that the support of her husband throughout her months of treatment has been invaluable. "He said 'There's no other option, but beating it.' And I believe him every time. I don't always believe everyone, but I believe him," Tiffany says.
And caregivers aren’t always spouses. A lot of children care for their parents, siblings and friends as they battle cancer. Justine Almada who, along with her siblings, had to watch their mother go through, and eventually die from, anal cancer told us her story, about the toll that cancer can take on entire families. Her big message for other caregivers? "You are fucking awesome."
"It's really difficult, and also really wonderful at the same time," Justine said when discussing her own experience as a caregiver. "Because you know you're giving your loved one the best chance they have … and I hope you're really proud of what you're doing everyday."
“Charles in Charge” controversy
In light of his wife’s cancer, old accusations of Baio’s sexual misconduct in the past resurfaced, as twitter followers have rushed to point to his caregiving as evidence of his his good nature.
On the tweet, another user commented “Scott is a great husband & father; he never missed a beat even during all the false allegations by #NicoleEggert. Eggert then continued defaming Scott w/fake accounts and has done the same to Renee. The tweets consist of the most false, vile and crude content. Eggert = #FakeMeToo”
That same user also wrote “My family and I are fans of yourself and .@DogBountyHunter; we’ve watched every episode of each of the series. You are an amazing woman enduring the road you’re walking. I pray for strength and total healing.”
These comments refer to a controversy whereby his Nicole Eggert, Baio’s “Charles in Charge” co-star in, accused him in 2018 of inappropriate sexual behavior on the set of the show.
At the time, a third co-star Alexander Polinsky released a statement in Eggert’s defense, reading “I witnessed Scott Baio acting inappropriately towards Nicole Eggert during my first year of working on the show. I walked in on them together behind the set.”
“Nicole was on Scott’s lap and he did not appreciate my intrusion. He yelled at me and called me various homophobic slurs,” Polinsky added. "Growing up on the show I received regular verbal attacks, mental abuse, and I also suffered a physical assault at the hands of Scott Baio.”
Baio has long denied the accusations, and has made numerous public statements in his own defense.
Beth’s continued appreciated for the love and support of her husband Dog
This isn’t the first time Beth Chapman has spoken up about her appreciation for the caregivers in her life, especially her husband Duane “Dog” the bounty hunter.
In a recent Instagram post, Beth wrote alongside a photo of her sleeping husband, "HE SLEEPS!" Beth begins in her update, posting a playful snap of Dog dozing shirtless. "When he finally does sleep you can still see the worry and stress on his face. He has been by my side nonstop since this happened strong and encouraging me every day!"
"There is no doubt we're [sic] my strength comes from," the caption continues. "Being with him is the most important thing to me. Ours is one of the greatest love [stories] never told. â¤ï¸ It's a love worth fighting [for]! [Thank you] for loving me sooo much @duanedogchapman #Nevergiveup #nevergivein #wgnamerica."
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