Ann Wilson, the legendary voice of Heart, has captivated audiences for decades with her powerful vocals and stage presence. Best known for iconic hits like "Crazy on You" and "Barracuda," Wilson remains a towering figure on stage. This year, as she turned 75, she did so with an added sense of gratitude, grit, and her signature vocal fire. Beyond her musical achievements, Wilson's journey has been marked by personal struggles, including battles with weight, health scares, and the emotional toll of public scrutiny. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and a commitment to healthy living.
A Rock and Roll Legacy
Heart, the genre-bending band Ann co-founded in the early 1970s alongside her sister Nancy Wilson, carved out Billboard chart success over five decades. Ann's exceptional vocal range, songs, and band have hooked audiences for a prolonged time. But in 2023, fans learned that Ann needed to step back from Heart’s “Royal Flush” tour for health reasons.
Nancy told People Magazine: “We were just getting into the big groove of it all and starting to really get a full head of steam with the whole tour. Then, we found ourselves on a plane the next day. We just went home and tried to figure out what was going on and make sure that Ann was okay.”
Cancer Scare and Recovery
In 2023, fans learned that Ann needed to step back from Heart’s “Royal Flush” tour for health reasons. Although the type of cancer was not publicly disclosed, Ann later confirmed the success of her treatment. “The operation was successful & I’m feeling great, but my doctors are now advising me to undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I’ve decided to do it,” she said, according to ABC News.
Preventative or adjuvant chemotherapy is often recommended after surgery to wipe out any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. These drugs, typically administered via IV or in pill form, target fast-dividing cells, making them particularly effective against aggressive cancer types.
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Thankfully, Ann’s decision paid off. A year later, she’s back in action, touring and receiving birthday shoutouts from fans old and new. She shared that she is still “cancer-free” following a brief but serious health scare last year.
Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects
Chemotherapy is an effective tool for oncologists to help treat cancer by stopping cancerous cells from growing, dividing, and spreading to other organs. Chemo works by traveling through the bloodstream, killing cancerous cells. However, the process also impacts healthy cells, leading to side effects.
Patients almost universally experience fatigue, often alongside gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea. Doctors have many effective medications to combat chemo-induced nausea. “But mitigating that fatigue often depends on the patient,” says Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.
“Neuropathy is probably one of the most challenging side effects,” says Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle. Neuropathy results from damage to the peripheral nerves. It usually resolves after chemotherapy treatment, but sometimes symptoms can persist. While it’s typically characterized by numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation in the hands and feet, neuropathy can have several different symptoms, including:
- Weakness in the hands or feet
- Stabbing or burning pain in the hands or feet
- Difficulty gripping, such as when holding a fork
- Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as writing or buttoning a shirt
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy. When chemotherapy affects the rapidly dividing cells in the stomach lining, the resulting cellular havoc in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to side effects such as nausea and vomiting. However, doctors can help patients mitigate the hit with various medications before, during, and after treatment.
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“Part of the chemotherapy prescription includes a set regimen of anti-nausea medications,” says Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle. “We also ensure that patients have medications at home that they can use should they develop nausea after treatment.”
Hair loss is another side effect of chemotherapy. “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,” Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, told SurvivorNet.
Chemotherapy can cause hair loss. It usually begins about three to four weeks after chemotherapy and continues throughout treatment. This happens because this treatment targets quickly dividing cells throughout the body, including cancer cells and hair cells.
Most patients can expect regrowth four to six weeks after treatment. However, it is possible when your hair grows back, you may notice some changes in its color and texture.
Tips for Navigating Chemo Side Effects
Doctors don’t have an arsenal of prescription medications to combat fatigue. However, you can do several things to help minimize the hit and restore your energy.
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- Exercise: While it may be counterintuitive, physical activity can help alleviate side effects, especially fatigue. “Although ovarian cancer is not common, we often draw upon the experience of patients with breast cancer and colon cancer that have shown that physical activity can not only improve quality of life but may also have beneficial impacts on cancer outcomes,” Dr. Urban says.
- Eat well: Even though nausea may interfere with your ability to eat a healthy diet, it’s essential to ensure you’re eating appropriately, getting enough protein, and not losing weight. Not only will nourishing your body support your recovery, but it may also help you feel more energized.
- Sleep: Want to mitigate fatigue? Be sure to maintain your regular sleep-wake cycle while on treatment. Sticking to a set sleep schedule helps reduce fatigue by ensuring enough hours for your body to heal and restore itself each night. It may also help you recover more quickly by keeping energy levels high during the daytime.
Coping with an Unexpected Diagnosis
Just as Ann Wilson and her bandmates were building momentum for their next tour, everything came to a screeching halt-her unexpected cancer diagnosis forced the group to shift from backstage rehearsals to urgent medical decisions, turning anticipation into a fight for her health.
If you are facing a cancer diagnosis, your emotions are likely to run high, which is completely normal. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says emotions are often fluid when coping with a diagnosis.
“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.
If a stressful event affects how you think and feel, it may be time to seek mental health treatment. This could mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking a support group, or many other approaches.
SurvivorNet experts suggest women needing a little extra help coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.
- Let your family and close friends know, and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
- Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
- Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
- Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.
Questions for Doctors
If you are undergoing chemotherapy and anticipate doing so in the future, you may want to begin conversations with your doctor about how to best manage it. Here are a few questions to help you kickstart your discussion.
- How can I best prepare for chemotherapy to minimize side effects?
- Are there any dietary or lifestyle changes I should make during treatment?
- What symptoms should I watch out for, and when should I contact you if I experience them?
- Are there any medications or supplements that can help manage chemotherapy side effects?
- How often will I need to receive chemotherapy, and how long will the treatment last?
- How will chemotherapy affect my immune system, and what precautions should I take to avoid infections?
- Can you provide resources or referrals to support services, such as counseling or support groups, for coping with the emotional and psychological aspects of chemotherapy?
Ann Wilson's Weight Loss Journey
For decades, Ann Wilson has captivated audiences not only with her exceptional vocal range, songs, and band but also with her remarkable journey of personal struggles. Over the years, she has faced numerous challenges in her professional as well as personal life, but it has never overshadowed her singing talent. Ann Wilson’s weight loss saga and her remarkable musical tours have hooked audiences for a prolonged time. Ann’s journey in life has been a challenging one, but she stands as a symbol of resilience while advocating for body acceptance. The 74-year-old veteran singer maintains a healthy lifestyle and continues to perform with great stamina.
Early Struggles with Weight and Body Image
Right from her childhood, the music powerhouse struggled due to her weight and body image. During the mid-1980s, she gained a significant amount of weight which affected her band’s image. To be precise, Wilson was 90 to 100 pounds overweight but that did not hamper the quality of her voice and vocal range. Throughout the 70s, her weight, health, performance, and stamina, were common topics of public discourse. With her sister Nancy, Ann released more hits like Alone and What About Love? Meanwhile, she was seen supporting women's health through her 6th annual Women Who Rock Benefit Concert.
However, she continued to deal with her off-stage problems. Reportedly, she complained of knee, back, and joint ache and also felt low on energy. In one of the interviews, she confessed her feelings of helplessness, concerning her health. When one is overweight or obese, the increased stress on the body results in an increased risk of musculoskeletal and joint pain.
Gastric Band Surgery
In 2002, Wilson underwent adjustable gastric band weight-loss surgery. The surgery limits food intake by inserting an inflatable silicone band around the upper stomach for a feeling of fullness. Ann Wilson’s weight loss was the result of 2002’s lap band surgery through which she lost 60 lbs. This procedure quickly became one of the most common bariatric surgical operations in the world.
Post the surgery, she appeared to be noticeably slimmer and her performance peaked. She received standing ovations from the audience and felt a lot happier. Her weight loss journey did not end there. She aimed to cut down nearly 35 to 40 pounds, not because of her showbiz career but for the goodness of her health and children.
Reflecting on her past experiences and the surgery, Ann revealed that she had tried every diet, including fasting and liquid diets to slim down her appearance. Fasting is a prevalent approach to weight loss which is widely opted by those struggling to lose weight. After the weight-loss surgery, she gleefully emptied her wardrobe with plus-size dresses and effortlessly got into her 80s outfits. Studies too claim that the surgery provides a safe, effective intervention for obese patients.
Ann Wilson’s Weight Loss Diet Plan
The This Is Now singer is in good shape and health and advocates for body acceptance. Today, she accredits her youthful energy to her decision to cut down on alcohol and caffeine - the two substances that she was once addicted to. Excessive caffeine intake is found to be associated with the symptoms of depression. On the other hand, consuming alcohol can lead to chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, etc.
In an interview, Wilson publicly expressed that she isn’t fully sober and occasionally enjoys wine while maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Though she didn’t disclose much about her weight loss diet plan, it is speculated that she eats healthy food.
Insights Into Ann Wilson’s Workout Plan
The lead singer has been constantly prioritizing her health. She is doing absolutely fine post her chemo therapies and battle with obesity. Though she hasn’t revealed much about her workout plan, it is assumed that she must be indulging in light exercises to maintain her stamina on stage, during the performances.
Celebrities and Weight Loss Surgery
Ann Wilson is among several celebrities who have undergone weight loss surgery to improve their health and well-being. Here are a few other examples:
- Al Roker: The "Today" show weatherman underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2002, losing a significant amount of weight and adopting a healthier lifestyle.
- Randy Jackson: The "American Idol" judge had gastric bypass surgery after being diagnosed with type-2 diabetes.
- Rosie O’Donnell: The talk show host had vertical gastric sleeve surgery after suffering a heart attack.
- Sharon Osbourne: The TV personality had gastric band surgery in 1999.
- Graham Elliot: The "Masterchef" judge underwent a sleeve gastrectomy in 2013.
- Paul Wall: The rapper had gastric sleeve surgery in 2010.
- Star Jones: The co-host of ‘The View’ had gastric bypass surgery in 2003.
- Lisa Lampanelli: The comedian underwent gastric sleeve surgery in 2012.
- Gabourey Sidibe: The actress opted for lap band surgery in 2016.
- Carnie Wilson: The singer had a live broadcast of her gastric bypass surgery in 1999.
- Etta James: The blues legend underwent gastric bypass surgery in the early 2000s.
These celebrities serve as inspirations, reminding us that taking the step towards a healthier lifestyle can be a life-changing decision. If you’re considering a similar journey, remember: the first step begins with you.
Immortal: A New Chapter
Immortal did not entail input from Wilson's sister Nancy, although their Heart break may be on the mend. Two years ago, Ann’s husband, Dean Wetter, assaulted Nancy’s twin sons on a tour bus in Auburn, Wash. He was arrested, pleaded guilty and was placed on probation. The sisters became estranged and rarely communicated, pushing Heart into hiatus.
The result is her new album Immortal, a compilation of 10 covers that showcase some of Wilson’s favorite songs by such bygone greats as George Michael (A Different Corner), Leonard Cohen (A Thousand Kisses Deep), Amy Winehouse (Back to Black) and David Bowie (I’m Afraid of Americans). “He spoke from the soul,” she says of her late friend and Seattle neighbor, adding wistfully, “I didn’t see it coming. Immortal, out Sept. “People might expect it to be morbid because they think the concept of death could overpower the songs,” says Wilson, 68.
Still, she had certain criteria. “I had to totally love the song,” Wilson says. “I had to be able to put it across. That’s how Lesley Gore’s You Don’t Own Me made the cut. Gore was 17 when she delivered the defiant feminist anthem in 1963. "Our first great challenge was establishing credibility in a field almost completely dominated by men,” Wilson says. “Once you had credibility, doors would open. ‘Yeah, I guess she’s not just a hunk of cheesecake,’ they’d say. “The #MeToo movement is a big change. And it’s very uncomfortable and pretty reckless. That’s how it has to be. The first feminists were considered so bold and brash.