“Full House” star Dave Coulier is gearing up for his first Father’s Day as a grandparent and a cancer survivor. This past Spring, his biopsy results revealed he had “no signs of cancer,” and his son’s child was born.
Coulier was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. He received six rounds of chemotherapy. In addition to hair loss, he also struggled with extreme fatigue, a side effect of chemotherapy.
Lymphoma is a blood cancer, specifically of the immune system, that affects infection-fighting cells called lymphocytes.
Lymphoma treatment largely depends on the nature of a patient’s diagnosis. For non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, their cancer is more likely to spread randomly and be discovered in different groups of lymph nodes in the body.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment depends on the type, stage, and how fast it grows. People with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma can expect to get a chemotherapy combination called R-CHOP, which is a drug cocktail consisting of chemotherapy drugs plus an antibody-drug and a steroid to treat diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
This Father’s Day holds deeper meaning for “Full House” star Dave Coulier—not just as a celebration, but as a triumph. After months of grueling cancer treatment, the 65-year-old actor has emerged victorious, marking a milestone season that also welcomed him into grandfatherhood.
“We’re so excited,” Coulier told Parade about his grandson.
Coulier underwent six grueling rounds of chemotherapy, a treatment known for its difficult side effects. Among the most challenging for him were fatigue and brain fog—so much so that when he finished his final round, he forgot to ring the traditional cancer bell, a symbol of victory over treatment.
“I was in such a daze,” he recalled on the Today Show.
Despite the physical toll, Coulier experienced a life-changing moment when he learned his biopsy showed no signs of cancer.
“Melissa [Coulier’s wife] and I waited for a week to get the biopsy results back, and there is no sign of cancer,” he said.
“They said, there’s zero, there’s nothing,” he reiterated on the How Rude Podcast.
Eager to share the good news, Coulier reached out to close friends and family—including his “Full House” co-star John Stamos, who celebrated his friend’s remission.
“My dear friend Dave has beaten cancer…To everyone still in the fight, I see you and Dave in a new light,” Stamos wrote in a heartfelt Instagram tribute.
Reflecting on his cancer battle, Coulier shared that knowing his son, Luc, was expecting a child gave him hope throughout his treatment. It was the light at the end of the tunnel that kept him going.
His journey is a reminder of resilience, love, and the power of support in the fight against cancer.
Coulier’s rise to fame came about when he landed a recurring role on Full House, a popular sitcom that ran from 1987 to 1995. It featured notable stars, including the late Bob Saget, John Stamos, Lori Loughlin, Mary-Kate, and Ashley Olsen. The show focused on a widowed sportscaster (Saget) as he raised his three daughters with help from his rock-and-roll brother-in-law (Stamos) and best friend (Joey).
Many of the cast members remained friends many years after the show ended.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 18: (L-R) Actors Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, and John Stamos, winners of the Favorite Premium Comedy Series Award, “Fuller House,” pose in the press room during the People’s Choice Awards 2017 at Microsoft Theater on January 18, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Coulier revealed he had been battling stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in early November 2024. The actor was no stranger to the impact of a cancer diagnosis. His mom and sisters all were diagnosed with a form of cancer.
“I saw what those women in my family went through, and I thought to myself, ‘If I can be just 1/10th of a percent as strong as they were, then I’m going to be just fine,’” Coulier told US Magazine.
What is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?
“Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a big category,” Dr. Julie Vose, chief of hematology/oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet.
All non-Hodgkin lymphomas begin in white blood cells known as lymphocytes, which are part of your body’s immune system. From there, doctors separate these cancers into types depending on the specific kind of lymphocytes they grow from — B cells or T cells.
WATCH: For treatment, the type of lymphoma you have matters.
Knowing which of these you have can help steer you to the most appropriate treatment.
One way doctors divide up these cancers is based on how fast they’re likely to grow and spread. “The two main classifications I think of in terms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are lymphomas that are more indolent and those that are more aggressive because those are treated very differently,” Dr. Jennifer Crombie, medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, told SurvivorNet.
Most non-Hodgkin lymphomas, about 85%, affect B-cells. These cells produce antibodies and proteins that react to foreign substances like viruses or bacteria in your body. The antibodies attach to another protein on the surface of the invading cells, called an antigen, to target and destroy them.
Coping With Cancer Treatment Side Effects
As noted earlier, Coulier received chemotherapy that spanned several months to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
He lost his hair during treatment – a common chemotherapy side effect.
WATCH: Coping with hair loss during chemo.
Hair loss can take a significant emotional toll on cancer patients, affecting self-esteem and confidence. Experts emphasize the importance of preparing for this change and finding ways to cope during the cancer journey.
“For cancer patients, losing one’s hair can be unbelievably stressful. To start with, the dread of losing one’s hair can lead to some sleepless nights and feelings of anxiety,” says Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author.
Hair loss from chemotherapy typically begins three to four weeks after treatment starts and continues throughout the process. This occurs because chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells—including both cancer and hair cells. While regrowth usually begins four to six weeks after treatment ends, patients may notice changes in color and texture when their hair returns.
Finding Support and Coping Strategies
Dr. Boardman encourages cancer patients to seek advice and support from others who have experienced similar journeys. She suggests Talking to people who have been through it, getting their advice, voicing your concerns to your caregiver, and seeing what they can do.
For those worried about losing their hair, options such as wigs, hats, and head wraps can help maintain confidence and comfort throughout treatment.
WATCH: How to fight chemotherapy fatigue.
Chemotherapy can take a serious toll on energy levels, something Dave Coulier experienced firsthand during his treatment. Fatigue became one of the most challenging side effects for him, a feeling familiar to many undergoing cancer therapy.
Dr. Zachary Reese, a medical oncologist at Intermountain Healthcare, describes the pattern of exhaustion many patients face: “What I typically tell patients is that [chemotherapy] is a bit of a roller coaster ride. You’re going to feel tired about a week into treatment, and that’s when you’ll hit bottom. And then you’ll start to come back up again just in time to do it all over.”
Although fatigue varies for each person, it typically lasts seven to ten days after treatment, depending on the number of chemotherapy cycles completed. However, patients can take steps to manage their energy levels and support their recovery.
Strategies for Coping with Fatigue
Prioritize a healthy diet – Eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains ensures proper nutrition while maintaining energy.
Commit to quality sleep – Keeping a consistent sleep schedule supports healing and reduces fatigue.
Stay active – Though exercise might seem counterintuitive, it can boost energy and improve overall well-being.
Dr. Reese encourages patients to keep moving, even if it means starting small. “This doesn’t mean that anyone expects chemotherapy patients to run a 5K or a marathon, but getting out and doing 30 minutes of exercise a day can go a long way,” he says.
If 30 minutes feels overwhelming, patients can begin with just 10 minutes, gradually increasing their activity over time. The key is choosing an activity they enjoy—whether it’s walking, swimming, or yoga—to make movement feel less like a task and more like self-care.
While chemotherapy-induced fatigue can be difficult, maintaining a balanced routine can help patients not only manage their energy levels but also navigate the rest of their treatment with greater resilience.
Treating Lymphoma Patients
Dr. Lawrence Piro, the President and CEO of The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute in Los Angeles, a Cedars-Sinai affiliate, previously spoke to SurvivorNet about the different approaches to treating different types of lymphomas.
“There are some lymphomas that are very treatable but not curable,” he explained.
Lymphoma treatment largely depends on the nature of your specific diagnosis. For non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, their cancer is more likely to spread randomly and be discovered in different groups of lymph nodes in the body. Hodgkin lymphoma cancers, on the other hand, are more likely to grow consistently from one group of lymph nodes directly to another.
WATCH: Understanding R-CHOP treatment.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment depends on the type, stage, and how fast it grows. People with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma can expect to get a chemotherapy combination called R-CHOP, which is a drug cocktail consisting of chemotherapy drugs plus an antibody-drug and a steroid to treat diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
R-CHOP stands for:
R: Rituximab (Rituxan) is a monoclonal antibody that attaches to a specific protein called CD20, which sits on the surface of B cells. It targets cancerous cells and destroys them.
C: Cyclophosphamide is a type of chemotherapy drug
D: Doxorubicin hydrochloride (hydroxydaunomycin) is a type of chemotherapy drug
V: Vincristine sulfate (Oncovin) is a type of chemotherapy drug
P: Prednisone is a steroid which lowers inflammation
Patients receiving R-CHOP receive the drug in six cycles that are three weeks apart.
