Chock Chapple is opening up about a major health scare — and crediting his fiancée, Joan Vassos, with helping him through it.
On Tuesday, August 11, the Golden Bachelorette winner posted an Instagram update revealing he recently underwent surgery. “Joan’s here in Wichita taking care of me, so here’s a life update,” he wrote. “Elevated PSA. Biopsy, MRI, another biopsy. Turned aggressive. Last Wednesday I had my prostate removed.”
Chock, 62, explained the death of his own mother, Jill Cobb, from cancer shaped his decision to move forward with the procedure. “Lost my mother to cancer. I know what’s at stake,” he wrote. “My son asked how much time I wanted with my grandkids, and that made the decision easy. Get it removed. Be around. For them. For Joan, for the rest of her life.”
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In the social media post, he also urged his followers to prioritize their own health. “Guys, get tested. Have your PSA checked. Early is everything,” he wrote, adding that he’s still cleared for the couple’s upcoming vacation: “Trip to Europe is still on for the end of August. Cleared to travel, and I’m ready!” He closed the caption with a thank-you to Bachelor Nation for their support.
Chock and Vassos, 63, got engaged during season 1 of The Golden Bachelorette and have been navigating a long-distance relationship since, with Chock based in Kansas and Vassos in Maryland. As the couple told fans in a February Instagram reel, they don’t yet have concrete plans to relocate to the same city, with Vassos suggesting they’d rather keep their individual homes and find “a love shack someplace” to share instead.
His Instagram announcement drew an outpouring of support in the comment section. “Sending you two so much love,” Bachelor Nation’s official account wrote. Fellow Bachelorette alum Trista Sutter commented, “Still sending those prayers up. Love you so much and hope you’re both feeling that love and support.” Chock’s daughter, Taylor Chapple, wrote, “love you endlessly dad!”