Famous TV Host Battling Stage 4 Cancer, Says a Pint Of Beer And ‘Freshly Lit Fires’ Are Treasures To Be Savored

The reality TV star, who recently celebrated his 50th birthday, wrote alongside a cheerful selfie, “It’s been a while since I waited outside for the pub to open but freshly lit fires and a pint were a welcome distraction on the short walk to Christmas lunch.

“Hope you all had lovely days and enjoying Boxing Day as it should be. #christmas #christmasdaypint.”

Irwin was seen looking delighted while holding up a Guinness beer, prompting praise from his fans, with one writing, “Compliments of the season to you and the family sir. Enjoy the Guinness you legend.

Another fan wrote, “You look bloody fantastic, Happy Christmas,” while a third Instagram user commented, “Jonnie, you’re looking wonderful! I wish you every good thing that you deserve in the weeks, months, year ahead. Cheers!”

“Merry Christmas Jonnie. You’re a top bloke and wishing you a fantastic 2024,” another fan chimed in.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jonnie Irwin (@jonnieirwintv)

It’s wonderful to see Irwin doing activities he finds joy in, especially after celebrating as major milestone like turning 50 years old.

Speaking to HELLO Magazine in a recent interview, Irwin, who has a loving wife named Jessica and three adorable sons, admitted, “I never thought I’d be here for this, so I’m chuffed to bits.”

He explained, “I feel really privileged to be able to celebrate my birthday looking at blue skies and with sand between my toes. I had an early birthday party at the start of the year because I didn’t think I’d make it. It was like being at my own wake; lots of fun, lots of dancing.

“But here I am. I view it as a complete triumph.”

Irwin, who took a family vacation to Spain earlier this month, told HELLO, “I have been spending all day with the kids; playing in the pool and in the hot tub, playing football.

“When I went to bed last night I said, ‘I feel like a real dad today.’ This morning I couldn’t get out of bed, but I’m not sorry and I’ll do it again. I’ll rest when I absolutely need to but I’ll have fun until I drop.”

He continued, “”Every little thing is so valuable to me, even kicking the ball against the wall for half hour. Every little thing you take for granted means something to me. It’s another memory. It’s so special and being away with my wife and the kids for my 50th is brilliant.

“I tire easily but I feel good, I feel strong. It’s bizarre; I’ve got cancer and I’m running around like a normal person – just with less hair and less weight.”

Jonnie Irwin’s Cancer Battle

Jonnie Irwin’s cancer journey began when symptoms arrived in August 2020. His first symptom occurred during a filming trip when his vision went blurry while driving. After he returned home, he was told he had metastatic lung cancer that had spread to his brain.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jonnie Irwin (@jonnieirwintv)

One of the most worrisome parts of lung cancer is its lack of symptoms until the cancer has already spread, says SurvivorNet medical advisor, Dr. Joseph Friedberg.

However, once a person suspected of having lung cancer experience symptoms, their doctor can further investigate the cause with an X-ray to look for anything unusual.

“The question is, well, what stage is it? And so, at this point, the entire workup, is an effort to try and determine, do we think that the cancer is spread anywhere? And the things that you would ask for about lung cancer– specifically, any change in your breathing? Do you have a cough? Have you lost any weight? Do you have any pain anywhere? All of these things start to tick off in your head, whether they have other potential problems,” Dr. Friedberg said.

WATCH: Diagnosing Lung Cancer.

Some people with lung cancer may experience symptoms like:

• A cough that doesn’t go away, that gets worse, or that brings up bloody phlegm
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Hoarse voice
• Appetite loss
• Weight loss

Irwin has since taken chemotherapy and other cancer drugs to help prolong his life, but Irwin knows his disease does not technically have a cure. Still, he’s focusing on the positive which includes his supportive wife and their three toddler-age boys.

“One day, this is going to catch up with me,” Irwin said during an interview with the U.K.-based news outlet The Sun. “But I’m doing everything I can to hold that day off for as long as possible. I owe that to Jess and our boys. Some people in my position have bucket lists, but I just want us to do as much as we can as a family.”

Earlier this year, Irwin revealed he would go into hospice care periodically when he’s not feeling well. He adds, going into hospice to receive comfort care helps mask his diagnosis from his children. In a television interview with BBC Morning Live, he revealed he’s been going to hospice care since his diagnosis roughly 3 years ago.

However, since undergoing palliative care it’s changed his outlook on what late-stage cancer care is like.

“It’s a delight, actually. My perception of the hospice was very much a boiling hot room full of people that looked frail and towards the end of their days. This is nothing of the sort. It’s spacious, energized, and comfortable. I mean, it’s even got a jacuzzi bath, and ensuite rooms, and the staff are just amazing. So I’ve had a really, really good experience at my hospice,” Irwin explained.

Support From Family During Health Challenges

Having a strong community around you, as Jonnie Irwin does, is ideal when challenged by health struggles.

Dealing with cancer or any sort of health battle for that matter can be overwhelming, so having physical and emotional support is crucial. That being said, it’s very important to know your limits on what you can handle as you undergo treatment and recover from your cancer, and that includes relationships.

“Going through [cancer] treatment is a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience,” licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin wrote in a column for SurvivorNet. “Noticing what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much, [is] extremely important to pay attention to as you navigate treatment.”

Dr. Strongin does note, however, that having people by your side during this “arduous chapter” of your life can be hugely beneficial.

“Studies have found consistently that loneliness is a significant risk factor for physical and mental illnesses and the trajectory of recovery,” she wrote. “Therefore, it will be important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment.”

Ovarian cancer survivor Beverly Reeves can also attest to the importance of support and a loving community amid fighting a disease.

‘Faith, Family, and Friends’ Helped Beverly Reeves Get Through Ovarian Cancer Treatment

“If I had one piece of advice for someone who had just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it would be to get a strong support group together. Get your close friends. If you’re connected to a faith community, get your faith community,” Reeves told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.

“Get your family. Let them know what’s going on and let them help you. And sometimes that’s the most difficult thing to do, but just know that they are there,” she continued. “If they love you, they’re there to help you. And don’t be embarrassed.”

“Because this is a cancer that not a lot of people want to talk about,” she said. “But it’s real and we need to talk about it, and we do need that help. So talk to your family and your friends and your faith community, and get that network together so they can support you and be there for you.”

Finding Joy While Battling Cancer

When faced with a cancer battle, like Jonnie Irwin, it can be difficulty to focus on life outside of your disease. However, it’s important to remember that your mental state can actually impact your success as a patient.

“I’m pretty good at telling what kind of patients are going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease,” Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet. “And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life.”

Stay Positive, It Matters

Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology, also advocates for cancer warriors to prioritize their mental health. She noted that emotional well-being has been studied as a factor in patient outcomes.

“We know from good studies that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes,” Dr. Chase told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.

“So, working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment [and] your emotional well-being are important and can impact your survival. If that’s related to what activities you do that bring you joy, then you should try to do more of those activities.”

Adversity And The Art of Happiness: How Hardship Makes You Even Stronger

If you’re anything like Irwin, paying attention to your emotional health might look like grabbing a quick beer, or spending time with your wife and children, something Irwin often takes to social media to share with his fans. Other people might turn to yoga, painting, writing, spending time with family or a number of different things.

There are no right or wrong answers, but Dr. Chase says doing things that bring you joy is important.

She recommends writing down ten things that make you happy and intentionally making the time to do those activities throughout the day.

What Still Brings You Joy? Your Emotional Health is So Important to Living With Cancer

“Sometimes I will talk to a patient about making [a] list of the top ten things that bring them joy,” Chase says. “And trying to do those ten things, to make at least 50 percent of their experiences positive throughout the day.”

Family & Support During a Cancer Battle

It’s no secret that fighting cancer can be overwhelming, so having physical and emotional support from family and friends during your battle is huge. Thankfully, it seems that Irwin has been able to live his life to the fullest with supportive loved ones, especially his wife and three children by his side.

Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin says having people by your side during this “arduous chapter” of your life can be very beneficial.

“Studies have found consistently that loneliness is a significant risk factor for physical and mental illnesses and the trajectory of recovery,” she wrote in a column for SurvivorNet. “Therefore, it will be important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment.”

That being said, it’s very important to know your limits on what you can handle during treatment.

Finding Joy After Cancer Turns Your Life Upside-Down

“Going through treatment is a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience,” she wrote. “Noticing what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much [is] extremely important to pay attention to as you navigate treatment.”

In a previous chat with SurvivorNet, psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik added that some cancer warriors may need to look beyond their existing relationships to find the support they need.

“Some people don’t need to go outside of their family and friends circle. They feel like they have enough support there,” Dr. Plutchik said. “But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it is important to reach out to a mental health professional.”

Seeking Support: Dr. Plutchik Shares The First 3 Things To Do After a Cancer Diagnosis

Dr. Plutchik said it’s best to find a mental health professional with experience aiding people undergoing cancer treatment.

“Make sure that the mental health professional that you work it is reaching out, with your consent, to the rest of your team, to the oncologist, to the surgeon,” she said. “It can also be helpful to reach out to family, friends, and any other caretakers that may be involved in the person’s treatment.”

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are in the middle of a cancer journey and are looking to improve your emotional health, consider what you’re grateful for. To begin, ask yourself the following questions to kickstart your journey to achieve gratitude.

• What can I do if I’m struggling to be thankful for what I have in my life?
• Are there local resources for people wishing to improve their mental health?
• What else can I do to help reduce my stress level during my cancer journey?

Family Love and Support Makes a World of Difference During Cancer Treatment

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

---