Theresa Nist Speaks Out After Ex Gerry Turner Shares Cancer Diagnosis
Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner’s Ex-Wife Reacts to His Cancer Diagnosis
Theresa Nist, teh ex-wife of “Golden Bachelor” Gerry Turner, has spoken out about his recent cancer diagnosis, revealing her heartbreak upon learning the news.
Turner, 71, announced earlier this week that he was diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a rare and incurable type of blood cancer. The diagnosis came just months before his split from Nist, whom he met and married on the ABC reality show.
“It was when I visited Gerry in Indiana,” Nist told People magazine in an interview published December 11. ”that’s devastating news, really. I was extremely upset.”
The visit took place in March, a month before the couple announced their separation.
Turner revealed to Nist that his type of cancer is slow-growing and he is likely to outlive it.Despite the difficult news, Nist remains optimistic about Turner’s future.
“He’s a very positive person and I am to, and I know that he will do the best that he can to make this a positive experience,” she said. “And I have every faith that is going to work out that way, that it’s going to be the type of cancer that will not affect his life and that he’ll live to be a very healthy old age.”
Nist’s comments come on the same day Turner publicly shared his diagnosis. He was candid about the impact the news had on his marriage, stating that it played a role in their decision to separate.
‘Golden Bachelor’ Gerry Turner Reveals Cancer diagnosis Played Role in Split from Theresa
Reality TV star Gerry Turner,who captured hearts on the inaugural season of “The Golden Bachelor,” has opened up about a deeply personal struggle that influenced his recent separation from fiancée Theresa Nist.
Turner, 72, revealed to People magazine that he was diagnosed with cancer weeks before his televised wedding to Nist. Initially,he told Nist he had a blood disorder,the initial diagnosis from medical professionals. Though, he later shared the news of his cancer diagnosis with her.
“Certainly, it was hard for me,” Turner recalled of the conversation. “But the conversation was brief and I think [she was] a little bit awestruck by the news. So understandable.”
Turner explained that the cancer diagnosis prompted a shift in his priorities. He wanted to focus on spending time with his family – his daughters,sons-in-law,and granddaughters – and navigating his new reality.
“I wanted my life to continue on as normal as possible,” Turner said. “And that led me to believing that as normal as possible more meant spending time with my family… The importance of finding the way with Theresa was still ther, but it became less of a priority.”
Turner hopes that sharing his health news will provide context for his and Nist’s breakup, which occurred shortly after their televised engagement in January.
“When you are hit with that kind of news and the shock wears off…you realize what’s notable to you, that’s where you start to move forward,” he said. “And I hope that people understand in retrospect now that that had a huge bearing on my decisions and I think probably Theresa’s as well.”
Looking ahead, Turner remains optimistic. “I’m going to pack as much fun as I possibly can into my life and enjoy every moment,” he said. “and when I’m gone, I’m gone, but I’m not going to have regrets.”