The last half of 2017 was extremely challenging for Beth and Duane "Dog" Chapman, stars of the A&E reality show Dog the Bounty Hunter. The couple's faith was tested when they discovered that Beth had throat cancer, and needed to go through a lengthy and grueling treatment process.
Shortly after her diagnosis in September, Beth underwent a 12-hour surgery to remove the "plum-sized tumor" that was blocking her ability to breathe. Since Beth's diagnosis, the pair have been keeping their fans in the loop about her prognosis through social media and on their two-hour special Dog and Beth: Fight of Their Lives.
Although Beth admitted she didn't "see a lot of optimism" about her prognosis, she managed to beat the "50/50 chances" she was given, thanks to the aggressive treatment and the support of her husband.
"When we made a pledge many years ago I said I'd love her in sickness and in health until death do us part," Dog told People. "And that truth has really, really come alive in my mind. And I have to stand on that; I gave her an oath that I would love her forever. And thank God it's not till death do us part at this point."
Beth had to undergo a series of tests to determine if the cancer was in remission, and in late November, Dog shared the good news with their family and fans of the show.
"Hello, attention. No cancer," he announced. "There is a God. This could be a miracle. This could be a healing."
Although Beth has been cancer-free for a few weeks now, life hasn't gone back to normal. The reality star is still going to rehab and the effects of the cancer are still visible on her body. She recently shared a photo on Instagram to show just how much her body has changed since the diagnosis.
Since going into remission, Beth has been covering her neck with chokers or scarves to hide the surgery scar whenever she was seen in public, however on New Year's Day, something changed.
Beth decided to embrace her "battle scar" in 2018, and instead of considering her cancer fight as a setback, she's viewing it as a life lesson.
With a newfound confidence, Beth is embracing the surgery scar and showed her neck on Instagram for the first time since her treatment ended.
"Prior to my surgery, I had no lines, no wrinkles, a perfect neck if you will," she wrote. "It has been very hard to look at this in the mirror, it serves as a constant reminder of something I'd love to forget. However some life lessons you should never forget only learn from them and learn to embrace them so today I reveal my worst battle scar and know that things will get better in #2018."
In addition to embracing the changes to her body, Beth and Dog have decided to leave their stressful professional lives as bounty hunters behind.
"Times have changed," Beth told TooFab. "We live in a different world. People have a different respect for law enforcement, which is quite saddening. A lot of people do not have a respect for the judicial system and it is causing a slight collapse of our society. Duane has a 50/50 chance every time he leaves the house and that contributes to my stress."
She added, "We have small children, we have people counting on us. It doesn't mean that our stance on the criminal justice system has changed, it means that we may want to change."
The crime-fighting couple did not reveal what's in store for them and their family in the future, but if we've learned anything about them over the last few years, it is that no matter what life throws their way, Beth and Dog will always persevere.
