Joan Vassos, star of The Golden Bachelorette, recently shared an update on her friend and Golden Bachelor ex, Gerry Turner, who is facing a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma called Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia. Despite the diagnosis, Turner, 73, is not currently undergoing treatment—a decision based on the slow-moving nature of his illness.
In an interview with US Weekly, Vassos, 62, expressed her ongoing friendship with Turner and her relief that his condition remains stable. “I knew about that last year,” she shared. “We text every once in a while, and he’s doing good.”
Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia is a rare blood cancer that develops from abnormal B-cells in the bone marrow. It typically progresses slowly and may not require immediate treatment, a medical approach known as “watchful waiting.” Some patients live for years without needing intervention, as long as their condition doesn’t worsen.
Vassos, who lost her husband to pancreatic cancer three years ago, understands the weight of a cancer diagnosis but remains optimistic about Turner’s outlook. “No one ever wants to hear the C-word, but his form of lymphoma is slow-moving, and sometimes patients never even need treatment,” she explained.
What “Watchful Waiting” Means for Turner
Unlike aggressive cancers that require immediate intervention, some slow-growing lymphomas like Turner’s can be managed with careful monitoring. According to experts, this approach allows doctors to track the disease’s progression while sparing patients from unnecessary side effects of treatment.
“Watchful waiting is a wonderful and terrible thing at the same time,” says Dr. Caitlin Costello, a hematologist-oncologist at UC San Diego Health. “It’s wonderful not needing treatment, but agonizing to feel like you’re waiting for something to happen.”
Patients under this approach undergo regular checkups, blood tests, and imaging scans to ensure the cancer isn’t advancing. Treatment is only initiated if symptoms worsen or the cancer starts affecting major organs.
Research shows that delaying treatment for indolent (slow-growing) lymphomas does not impact long-term survival compared to starting treatment right away. In some cases, patients never need therapy at all.
The Future for Turner
While Turner’s diagnosis came as a shock to fans, his positive attitude remains unwavering. For now, his doctors are monitoring his health, and without pressing symptoms, he continues to live life as normally as possible.
Vassos, now engaged to insurance executive Chock Chapple, remains supportive of her former co-star and friend. “Gerry’s in good spirits, and that’s what matters most,” she said.
As Turner moves forward, his experience highlights the complexities of living with a slow-growing cancer—one that doesn’t always require immediate action but still demands vigilance.
