Focusing on the Positive Amid Cancer
- “The Voice” singer Virginia Lillye, 54, is back on stage performing despite her ongoing stage 3 ovarian cancer journey. She credits the love and support from her family and fans for helping her through the ups and downs of her cancer journey.
- Although Lillye reached remission briefly, tests revealed signs of concern, resulting in additional treatment earlier this year.
- Ovarian cancer recurrence (cancer returning after initial treatment) happens in “almost 25 percent of cases with early-stage diseases and in more than 80 percent with more advanced stages,” according to research published in Gland Surgery medical journal.
- Turning to art—such as music, painting, or dancing—may prove therapeutic for cancer patients, aiding their recovery. Research involving cancer patients who used art to cope showed they may experience decreased depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and tiredness.
“The Voice” singer Virginia Lillye, 54, has weathered a storm since being diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer last year. Even after initial progress and a stint in remission, her cancer returned, forcing her to restart treatment. Undeterred, Lillye is back on stage, reclaiming her joy in singing and performing and showing cancer can’t silence her spirit.
“Our second show…went off like a frog in a sock,” Lillye wrote in an Instagram post.
Read MoreView this post on InstagramAccording to Daily Mail Australia, Lillye has performed alongside notable rockstars, including KISS member Gene Simmons, Poison’s Richie Kotzen, and Guns ‘N’ Roses’ Gilby Clarke. However, her fans realized she had been missing in action last summer thanks to the onset of ovarian cancer.
“Absolutely smashing it!” Instagram user Jenny Robinson commented.
“Looking great,” Instagram user Phil Markham commented, noting Lillie’s short haircut, ripped jeans, and Chuck Taylor shoes.
Lillye’s connection with her fans has grown stronger since her cancer journey began in the summer of 2023. She’s been open and vulnerable about her journey, which included challenging encounters with treatment.
Helping Patients Understand Treatment Options for Ovarian Cancer
Virginia’s Ongoing Cancer Journey
Lillye is a singer who has performed alongside legendary performers as part of KISS, Guns ‘N’ Roses, and more. Last summer, eagle-eyed fans noticed she wasn’t sharing photos and videos of her shows as frequently as she once did. Her dormancy stemmed from a stage 3 ovarian cancer diagnosis.
“You may have noticed the absence of posts related to gigs and shows,” Lillye said on Instagram.
Ovarian cancer has been called the “cancer that whispers” because women often don’t experience symptoms until their cancer has already reached its late stages. The symptoms that do appear at first are hard to identify as cancer.
“Ovarian cancer does not have any specific symptoms,” Dr. Beth Karlan, a gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Medical Center, told SurvivorNet.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer may include the following, according to SurvivorNet experts.
- A feeling of bloating or fullness
- Pain in the pelvis or abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Changes in bowel habits
WATCH: Treating ovarian cancer.
“I have a long road of recovery ahead with round one of chemo ticked off already and am heading for round two,” Lillye said in July 2023.
Her treatment included multiple rounds of chemotherapy and a full hysterectomy.
A hysterectomy is a procedure that removes part or all of the uterus (or womb), often along with the cervix, according to the National Cancer Institute. Women who receive a diagnosis of uterine, ovarian, and cervical cancer may have their cancer treated with a hysterectomy.
Amid treatment, Lillye experienced hair loss. She remained in high spirits, fueled by her husband’s willingness to shave his head alongside her.
“The hair has fallen out, and my husband, being the amazing human that he is, has supportively shaved his locks off, too,” Lillye said.
After a challenging surgery and additional rounds of chemotherapy, Lillye said she felt herself getting stronger mentally.
The standard of care for ovarian cancer patients is chemotherapy, which helps many patients reach remission.
Ovarian cancer recurrence happens in “almost 25 percent of cases with early-stage diseases and in more than 80 percent with more advanced stages,” according to research published in Gland Surgery medical journal. With recurrence a strong possibility for this disease, especially in the later stages of ovarian cancer, certain drug treatments to deal with it are giving many women hope.
Maintenance therapy is continued treatment after the patient finishes their initial treatment. After an ovarian cancer patient completes a round of treatments — such as surgery and chemotherapy — her doctor may recommend some form of maintenance therapy to try and delay possible recurrence. Maintenance therapy can involve taking an oral pill called a PARP inhibitor every day after chemotherapy and can keep cancer in remission longer.
Genetic testing helps doctors determine the best maintenance therapy.
WATCH: How your ovarian cancer responds to certain types of chemotherapies guides your future treatments.
At the start of 2024, Lillye received her last round of chemotherapy, or so she thought. A couple of months later, in March 2024, recurring CT cans detected something concerning.
“My recent CT scan has shown evidence of fluid on my left lung with thickening on the lining. What would normally be considered as not an issue, the fact that my CA125 blood level count has jumped from 13 to 74, has my team worried,” Lillye explained.
In the end, her care team told her she needed to restart chemotherapy.
“Back in the saddle for my target therapy,” Lillye said.
Lillye remains hopeful after undergoing two additional cycles of chemo; tests will no longer find any evidence of cancer.
Using Music and Art to Help Your Journey
Many cancer patients wrestling with their emotions or adjusting to cancer treatment undergo immense stress. During times like these, resorting to therapy such as music, dancing, painting, and other art forms can be extremely helpful.
In 2020, researchers studied the outcomes of therapeutic artmaking in patients undergoing radiation oncology treatment. Although the research was limited in scope, it found patients reported “decreased depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and tiredness” after mindfulness-based art therapy intervention.
WATCH: Two-time cancer survivor used music therapy to help her along her journey.
Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Health, told SurvivorNet that emotional health and good quality of life are associated with better survival and outcomes. Art therapy can influence a cancer patient’s overall emotional health.
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