Busy Philipps Appears in Public for First Time Since Brain Tumor Surgery

Busy Philipps made her first public appearance since brain tumor surgery on Wednesday, attending a screening for her CBS series "Cupertino." The actress, 47, wore a sheer brown dress to the event at The Paley Center for Media.

Philipps was diagnosed in February with a Grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a rare, slow-growing brain tumor. She underwent surgery to remove the tumor on March 2. The diagnosis came after she had a full-body MRI scan the day after her former co-star James Van Der Beek died of colon cancer at age 48.

Philipps told People magazine that she felt "divinely protected" by Van Der Beek and her late best friend, Kate Cooper Serge, throughout her health ordeal. She noted the coincidence of her scan occurring the day after Van Der Beek's death was significant.

Philipps revealed in August that she had undergone surgery and assured fans she was "totally fine" and had recovered. She shared that the 2.6cm tumor was discovered incidentally, as she had no symptoms. She was inspired to get the MRI after reading about it on Instagram. The scan was initially scheduled for January but was postponed due to a blizzard, leading to the appointment on February 12.

Her doctor confirmed the presence of a tumor and recommended its removal. Philipps underwent a five-hour procedure in March. She has since had regular scans to monitor for recurrence, and her doctor indicated she has a good chance of it not returning. She does not require chemotherapy or radiation.

Philipps plays Natalia in "Cupertino," a legal drama about a lawyer who challenges a powerful tech company. She was joined at the screening by co-stars including Mike Colter, Rachel Keller, Ella Stiller, and Nik Dodani. She reflected on her recovery, stating that she finally feels like herself again after a challenging six months. She also expressed gratitude to her doctors, nurses, family, friends, and her television cast and crew for their support.