Health
Busy Philipps Almost Skipped Doctor’s Appointment That Saved Her Life After James Van Der Beek’s Death
Busy Philipps has ex-husband Marc Silverstein and late friend James Van Der Beek to thank for the discovery of her rare brain tumor.
Philipps, 47, is “grateful” to be alive after doctors found a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a rare type of brain cancer, during the actress’ voluntary full-body scan in February.
The White Chicks star told People in a Wednesday, August 26, interview that she had originally scheduled the procedure for January, but was forced to postpone due to a blizzard in New York City. Her rescheduled appointment, however, was set for February 12 — just one day after her beloved Dawson’s Creek costar Van Der Beek died after a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
“Should I just cancel it?” she recalled asking Silverstein, 55, with whom she shares daughters Birdie, 18, and Cricket, 13. “He’s like, ‘Maybe it’s the best thing you could do for your friend this morning. Go get that scan.'”
Ultimately, the malignant tumor was removed during a five-hour brain surgery on March 2 — less than three weeks after the Varsity Blues star’s death.
“What am I? The luckiest girl in the world?” she said.
Despite her personal health battles, Philipps publicly mourned the loss of her dear friend, who died at age 48.
“My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today,” she shared via Instagram in February. “James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and I don’t know what else to say. I am just so so sad. He was my friend and I loved him and I’m so grateful for our friendship all these years.”
