Actress Busy Philipps, 47, has shared details of her recovery following surgery earlier this year to remove a rare brain tumor. She was diagnosed in February after undergoing a full-body MRI scan, a decision inspired by her late friend James Van Der Beek's colon cancer diagnosis.
Philipps took to Instagram to reassure fans that she is "totally fine" and has recovered. She posted images from her time in intensive care, including a photo showing blood on her hair and a swollen forehead due to a post-surgery infection. Despite these challenges, she continued filming her new show, Cupertino, periodically icing her forehead to manage swelling.
Diagnosis and Surgery
The tumor, a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, was a slow-growing type affecting an estimated 1,100 to 1,300 people annually in the U.S. Philipps had no symptoms and only discovered the lesion because she was prompted to get a full-body MRI, which checks for over 500 conditions. Her scan was initially scheduled for January but was postponed due to a blizzard to February 12, the day after Van Der Beek's death.
Philipps recalled her doctor's words upon discovering the tumor: "This is a real tumor, and it's inside your brain. And Busy, it's got to come out." She underwent a five-hour procedure in early March to remove the 2.6cm tumor. Her ex-husband, Marc Silverstein, supported her during the hospitalization.
She later experienced an infection in the incision site, requiring a second surgery in April. Philipps described this as feeling like she was "back to square one."
Recovery and Reflection
Philipps shared that she had been keeping close friends and family updated via Instagram's "Close Friends" feature over the past six months, wanting to protect her daughters from public discussion of her health. She admitted to her daughters about the diagnosis, with her eldest expressing significant fear while her younger daughter asked if she would be alright.
Philipps has reflected that some of her "extreme emotional reactions" over the past few years may have been due to the tumor pressing on her frontal lobe, rather than perimenopause as she had previously believed. Her friend and former co-star Michelle Williams had pointed out that Philipps had often said her "brain feels broken" over the last two years.
Prognosis and Ongoing Monitoring
Following the surgery, the tumor was biopsied and found to be malignant. However, her doctor indicated it has a favorable prognosis among malignant gliomas, and Philipps does not require chemotherapy or radiation. She will undergo regular scans to monitor for any recurrence, with her doctor expressing optimism about her chances of recovery.
Philipps expressed gratitude for having the MRI scan, even though she was unemployed at the time and considered the cost significant. She noted that her brain "does not feel broken anymore."
IMAGE1:
IMAGE2: 
