Busy Philipps and Kimberly Van Der Beek
Celebrity

Kimberly Van Der Beek Sends Love to Busy Philipps Amid Brain Tumor Recovery

The late James Van Der Beek's widow posted a touching message after Philipps revealed she had surgery for a malignant brain mass.

By Dee AlvarezPublished Updated 2 min read

Kimberly Van Der Beek is reaching out with words of love and comfort for Busy Philipps following the star's sudden announcement of a brain tumor diagnosis. The emotional show of support arrived shortly after Philipps publicly revealed that doctors discovered a mass in her brain earlier this year, right in the midst of grieving her longtime friend and former *Dawson's Creek* costar James Van Der Beek. The health revelation began when Philipps scheduled a full-body scan back in February. However, the appointment coincided with a deeply heartbreaking moment: James had passed away at age 48 following his battle with stage III colorectal cancer just one day prior. Overwhelmed by grief, the 47-year-old actress admitted that she had second thoughts about going through with the preventative screening.

What happened during Busy Philipps brain scan?

While contemplating whether to cancel the appointment, Philipps turned to her former husband, Marc Silverstein, for advice. Silverstein urged her to keep the appointment, suggesting that prioritizing her well-being was the most meaningful action she could take for her friend that morning. That choice proved critical when the imaging confirmed the presence of a rare, slow-growing tumor known as a grade 2 oligodendroglioma. Upon receiving the shocking results, Philipps remembered hyperventilating and fighting to catch her breath as she tried to comprehend the medical team's finding. The scan located a 2.6-centimeter mass that medical professionals determined to be malignant. Acting swiftly, Philipps checked into a medical facility the following month, where surgeons successfully performed a procedure to extract the tumor from her brain.

Busy Philipps and Kimberly Van Der Beek
Busy Philipps and Kimberly Van Der Beek

How did Kimberly Van Der Beek support Busy Philipps?

After Philipps shared her story publicly, Kimberly Van Der Beek made sure to send her strength. The 44-year-old widow commented directly on a social media post highlighting the interview, writing a touching message to Philipps. Kimberly reassured her that she was deeply loved and reminded her that she has "angels in heaven" keeping watch over her. The sweet exchange underscores the deep bond that remains among the *Dawson's Creek* extended family. As Philipps continues her recovery and manages her health journey, the outpouring of affection from James's family highlights how close-knit the group remains during challenging times.

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People also ask

What kind of brain tumor was Busy Philipps diagnosed with?
Philipps revealed she was diagnosed with a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, which is classified as a rare, slow-growing tumor.
How did Kimberly Van Der Beek support Busy Philipps?
Kimberly commented on a social media post sharing Philipps's interview, expressing her love and telling the actress she has angels in heaven.
When did Busy Philipps have her brain tumor removed?
Philipps underwent surgery in March to remove the 2.6-centimeter malignant mass, one month after her initial scan detected it.