Iconic “Mary Tyler Moore Show” Co-Star Faces Each Day With Joy And Boldness

Jun 14, 2019 by apost team

Valerie Harper is a legendary television actress. Known to most audiences as the snarky Rhoda Morgenstern on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," Harper and Moore were fixtures of the 70s television landscape.

While Harper and Moore were onscreen best friends, the two also shared a solid friendship in real life. Harper was devastated when Moore died from several health issues in 2017. What the world didn’t know was that Harper herself was battling with her health problems at the time as well.

Harper had survived lung cancer in 2009 when she received heart-rending news in 2013. The actress was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer called leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. In this type of cancer, cancerous cells invade membrane surrounding the brain. Given as little as three months to live, Harper vowed to fight the deadly disease. While the diagnosis is terminal, Harper’s doctors chose to focus their treatment on slowing the progression of the disease.

Dr. Jeremy Rudnick, Harper’s neuro-oncologist, likened leptomeningeal carcinomatosis to a runaway train in an interview with People. Dr. Rudnick says that while they can’t stop the train, they can slow it down. Harper’s team of doctors did this through advanced chemotherapy.

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In an interview with Meredith Vieira, Harper says that she approached her cancer diagnosis with a spirit of optimism and hope. Confessing that it was a miracle that she is still alive when asked if she was in remission, Harper was more cautious.

The actress revealed that in today’s medical community, doctors don’t typically use the word “remission” anymore, favoring instead to say that treatments are simply working or not working. As the chemotherapy drugs that Harper is taking are working, Harper will continue her current treatment.

Harper was also sure to praise her husband for his constant support throughout her treatment and gave advice to people facing a cancer diagnosis. Harper feels that part of her success in battling the disease was that she kept working throughout her treatment. The actress advises others to not stop living their lives because of the disease and to keep busy.

Watch the interview and find out more in the videos below:

What do you think of the positivity with which Valerie Harper approached her cancer diagnosis? Tell your friends and family.