Busy Philipps reveals brain tumor diagnosis: 'I'm grateful to be alive'

Actress Busy Philipps has shared her experience of having a brain tumor removed, a diagnosis that came during what she described as the "weirdest six months of my life." The discovery occurred shortly after the death of her "Dawson's Creek" co-star, James Van Der Beek, from bowel cancer.

“

I’m grateful to be alive.

Philipps, 47, who starred alongside Van Der Beek in the popular teen drama, told People magazine she feels "grateful" to be alive. Despite not exhibiting typical tumor symptoms like seizures, she felt compelled to get a scan after her doctor initially reassured her it wasn't necessary. A second doctor's opinion led to a whole-body MRI in February, which uncovered a slow-growing, grade 2 oligodendroglioma.

In March, Philipps underwent a five-hour surgery to remove a 2.6cm mass from her brain. She recounted a persistent feeling over the past two years that her "brain feels broken," which she had attributed to perimenopause. "I wasn’t consciously aware that anything was really wrong, but there was something that was misfiring," she said. "Like, I could not get a handle on it. [And now] my brain does not feel broken any more."

“

I didn’t know why I wanted to get this scan except for the fact that I just did. We are frequently told by doctors that there is nothing to worry about [when] you kind of know that there’s something to worry about. There’s nothing to be afraid of in having information. It’s only empowering.

Philipps considered canceling the scan due to its proximity to Van Der Beek's death and an upcoming audition. Her ex-husband encouraged her, saying, "Maybe it’s the best thing you could do for your friend this morning. Go get that scan." Upon hearing the diagnosis from neurologist Dr. Orrin Devinsky, Philipps recalled being "hyperventilating and trying to breathe."

“

I wasn’t consciously aware that anything was really wrong, but there was something that was misfiring. Like, I could not get a handle on it. [And now] my brain does not feel broken any more.

Recovering at home just two days after surgery, Philipps reported no pain, despite having over 40 staples in her forehead. Friends, including "Dawson's Creek" co-star Michelle Williams, offered support. Shortly after, Philipps began her "dream job" filming the legal drama "Cupertino." However, during production, she contracted a staphylococcus infection in her incision, necessitating further debridement surgery. Despite these challenges, she remains thankful for the early detection, questioning, "What am I? The luckiest girl in the world?"

“

He’s like, ‘Maybe it’s the best thing you could do for your friend this morning. Go get that scan.’