Reality TV Bounty Hunter Beth Chapman has been dealing with lung cancer since 2018, and throat cancer since 2017. After her recent hospitalization, she says her friend Mary Carey’s daughter is bringing her joy.
"I just love this lil lady she brings me so much joy," she captioned the snap. "She was a creeper n my dinner date last night and bounced up and surprised me with her beautiful smile and just unconditional love for her aunty BEFF. I can never say how much I needed her sweet lil smile and her infectious laugh. I don't get to see my own grandkids very often so she fills a big void in my heart. Thank you @ Mary Needham Carey and Kim Needham Van Horn for sharing this amazing beast with me she truly lights up my life."
Read MoreCarey commented on the post, “She so loves to laugh and spend time with you. To tell you all her stories and get the best tickles in town. You are family to us. She is snuggling her little bear from you right now. She said you are her best friend.”
Beth Chapman has been fighting throat and lung cancer for the past few years. She was first diagnosed with stage 2 throat cancer in September 2017. She was treated with surgery and chemotherapy and declared cancer-free after that but the cancer came back in November 2018. The family attorney released a statement confirming the recurrence shortly after news broke that Beth had been rushed to the hospital due to difficulty breathing. This time, the cancer has apparently spread to her lungs, and progressed to stage four.
Throughout her cancer journey, she has stayed committed to bounty hunting alongside her husband “Dog” the Bounty Hunter.
During her most recent hospitalization, with fluid in her lungs creating significant pressure, doctors performed an operation to help relieve the pain. While we don't know the specifics of Beth Chapman's case, we do know that the most common kind of fluid buildup that can happen during lung cancer is what is called "pleural effusion," or fluid buildup around the space between the lungs and the chest wall. When this happens, the fluid can push on the lungs and create a lot of pressure.
Doctors can try to drain the fluid by inserting a needle or a tube into the affected area. They can also insert something called "talc," which helps the layers of tissue in this area stick together, and prevent fluid from building up. In the most difficult cases, doctors might opt for surgery to redirect the fluid to another part of the body, or to remove the tissue in the area.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
