When it comes to fighting cancer, we at SurvivorNet know how badly anxiety can debilitate a patient when she needs her strength the most. That’s why noted crimefighter Beth Chapman, wife of Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman, is an inspiration to so many cancer survivors. With every week that passes, Beth, who’s fighting Stage 4 lung cancer, offers pearls of wisdom about how she stays strong, often referring to her strong Christian faith as a source of inspiration and survival.
Often Beth responds directly to her loving fans when they reach out for advice and support over her favorite social media platforms. On Thursday, Beth took to Twitter to answer a fan’s plea for guidance.
Read MoreIt try's but I rebuke that,
Beth Chapman (@MrsdogC) June 14, 2019
I ask god to bind that spirit and keep those thoughts from my head I'm no different I have good days and bad #warriorwomen #cancerwillnotbeatme #WGNAmerica #DogsMostWanted https://t.co/3fblOl1OhO
Beth pluckily added the hashtags #warriorwomen #cancerwillnotbeatme #WGNAmerica #DogsMostWanted
Beth’s sense of humility, and of her internal “Warrior Woman”, is remarkable, and to many of her fans and supporters she *is* different: facing what Beth herself calls the fight of her life, the acclaimed bounty hunter is serving as a clear example of how religious faith and endless optimism can help one through even the most challenging cancer journey.
On Twitter, Beth’s fans who read her reply to Melissa were quick to hail her verve and spirit.
“Keep the faith, hope and love alive within you and your heart, Mrs. C! Be strong and courageous! You’re indeed a real-life superhero: #WonderWoman all the way!” wrote Garrett Godwin.
“You are the strongest woman I think I’ve ever seen Beth!! Keep fighting Sister!!” wrote Kay Seguin, ending her comment with several “heart” emojis.
Earlier this month, Beth, a mother of two who's an evangelical Christian, tweeted out a sermon entitled "God Has the Final Say" by the popular preacher Joel Osteen. In the excerpt Beth shared, Osteen tells his followers that: "When you know God has the final say, you don't live frustrated, worried, stressed. You stay in peace, knowing that nothing can stop God's plan."
This is great https://t.co/LstYOlsbgT
Beth Chapman (@MrsdogC) June 2, 2019
"This is great", Beth wrote above Osteen's affirmation.
Beth has been consistent and open that she's focusing on the positive as she battles cancer, and is working to reduce stress and worry. Beth was sorely tested last month when she suffered perceived slights from her stepdaughter Lyssa, 31, whom Beth accused of not recognizing her on Mothers Day; of not inviting her and Dog to Dog’s granddaughter Abbie’s high school graduation; and of blocking Beth and Dog on social media. Lyssa not only denied the allegations, but accused her stepmother of mendacity. A war of words ensued, and Beths’ fans feared the stress of the whole affair could undermine Beth’s recovery.
But Beth maintained her positive and sunny attitude despite Lyssa’s taunts, and the criticism of some online trolls who told her not to go public with her family business. Beth even summoned up the bravery to comment that “Seriously who gives a f—??” when a celebrity news site wrote an article about Lyssa’s fandom of the reality TV program “Naked and Afraid”.
Seriously who gives a fuck ?? Lyssa Chapman, Stepdaughter of Beth Chapman from ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’, Reveals Her Favorite ‘Naked and Afraid’ Contestant https://t.co/OmkYMcOwpB
Beth Chapman (@MrsdogC) May 27, 2019
Beth’s approach is a healthy one, doctors have told SurvivorNet, as an optimistic mental state can aid in cancer recovery.
Dr. Zuri Murrell of Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles told SurvivorNet earlier this year that in his travels on medical missions, he's found that grateful and serene cancer patients tend to have the best recoveries.
"The patients who do well with cancer, they live life with that kind of gratitude, but in terms of everything," he said. Dr. Murrell was not referring to Beth's case. "They're grateful, not for cancer, but they're grateful for an opportunity to know that life is finite, but they live life with like, I love you to their husband, to their wife, to their kids, knowing that this may be that they appreciate it for one of the first times ever because they know it may not be forever that they get to do this."
Beth has made very clear that her cancer recovery is now fully in the hands of God and Jesus Christ. In fact, Beth has said her cancer journey is a religious trial during which she must demonstrate the true measure of her devotion.
"I don't go to God and go, 'Why did I get cancer?' she told a church group in Bradenton, Florida on Mothers Day. "He'll roll his eyes at me again, because I know why because this is the ultimate test of faith."
Beth has been very open about her cancer battle this time around and the ups and downs of facing cancer in the public eye. She was diagnosed with cancer for a second time in late 2018. Initially she was diagnosed with throat cancer, went into remission, but was later diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. And even though she's been open about the journey she is on over the past few months, and implied in May that she'd abandoned chemo, it's unclear what kind of treatment she is (possibly) instead undergoing.
And for many weeks, Beth has been expressing deep religious faith as she faces cancer. In May, she posted on Instagram an inspiring religious quote from the New Testament: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", accompanied by a block quote about refusing to quit and a picture of a male lion and his cub.
View this post on Instagram
Dr. Murrell, speaking to SurvivorNet, described faith and gratitude as a powerful way to fight cancer.
"The patients who do well with cancer, they live life with that kind of gratitude, but in terms of everything," he said. "Like, they're grateful, not for cancer, but they're grateful for an opportunity to know that life is finite, but they live life with like, I love you to their husband, to their wife, to their kids, knowing that this may be that they appreciate it for one of the first times ever because they know it may not be forever that they get to do this."
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