Busy Philipps revealed her latest scan came back clean as she promoted her new CBS drama in New York.
The “Freaks and Geeks” alum, 47, said at the “Cupertino” premiere Wednesday that she had spoken with her oncologist earlier that day about the results. The doctor, she said, seemed more eager to discuss the television series than her medical news.
“She was like, ‘[I] really just wanted to talk about ‘Cupertino.’ I’m not even kidding you,'” Philipps shared. “She’s like, ‘Your scan was clean, so when’s the show come out? Is it this week or next week?'”
“I was like, ‘The premiere is tonight.’ She’s like, ‘Amazing,'” she added. “Anyway, so yeah, she’s been on the whole journey with me.”
Philipps also disclosed that she learned of her tumor diagnosis on the very same day she landed the role in “Cupertino.” She recalled asking her medical team how she could possibly take the job given her health situation.
“My doctor was just very confident and said, ‘You’ll have the surgery in a week from today, and then you’ll be able to be on set in four weeks.’ And I was,” she said.
The actress has been open about her health battle since first sharing details in August, posting photos and videos from her brain surgery journey on Instagram Stories.
The “Dawson’s Creek” actress said she has been moved by strangers approaching her to thank her for going public with her experience. She has used her platform to urge others, particularly women, to advocate for themselves in medical settings.
“So many people have come up to me in public and just expressed that they’re grateful for me sharing what I’ve gone through,” she said. “And also just the message of, like, listen to your body, women.”
“If you get a no from a doctor, continue to seek care for yourself if you just feel something’s off,” she continued.
The outpouring of support has left her feeling fortunate rather than scrutinized. “I’m grateful for that. I’ve been overwhelmed with love and support, and it’s been very nice. I mean, what? Are people going to be mean?” she joked.
Philipps first detailed her condition in August, calling the preceding half-year the “weirdest six months of [her] life” and declaring herself “grateful that [she’s] alive” and “the luckiest girl in the world.”
Her Grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a rare and slow-growing malignant brain tumor, was found during a full-body Prenuvo MRI on February 12. That date fell one day after the death of her former “Dawson’s Creek” co-star James Van Der Beek from colorectal cancer. A follow-up MRI confirmed the finding, with her neurologist delivering blunt news: “This is a real tumor, and it’s inside your brain. And Busy, it’s got to come out.”
The 2.6-centimeter mass was removed during a five-hour operation on March 2. Complications followed when she developed a staphylococcus infection at the surgical site, requiring a second procedure to clear it. “I just felt like I was back to square one,” she said of that setback. “I was really, really upset.”
Philipps has since returned to work and is moving forward with her acting career.
“Cupertino” premiered Wednesday in New York and is set to debut on CBS.