James Van Der Beek opens up on being a 'terrified mess' one month after announcing cancer battle
AUSTIN, TEXAS: James Van Der Beek gave an emotional update one month after revealing his cancer diagnosis, sharing that his family has been his greatest source of strength.
The 47-year-old actor announced last month to People that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer which he was "privately dealing with."
James Van Der Beek says his cancer diagnosis felt like 'nightmare'
In the latest interview, James Van Der Beek revealed that he was taken aback when he first received the diagnosis, believing he was in excellent health.
"Physically, I'm great, feeling good... emotionally, it's a lot, it's really a ride," he provided the health update in an interview on 'Good Morning America'.
“I was doing what I thought I needed to do by getting a colonoscopy, which obviously, I did need to do,” Beek added.
He added that he had been in great shape and focused on what he thought were healthy habits.
“I was in amazing cardiovascular shape. I was eating what I thought was healthy, and I had a whole agenda for what I thought my year would be,” he said, reflecting on how drastically his life changed.
“It felt like a nightmare, honestly, at first, that I couldn’t quite wake up from,” Beek added.
James Van Der Beek praises wife Kim for her 'unconditional love' amid cancer battle
Speaking about his wife, Kimberly, James Van Der Beek became emotional, calling her his “rock.”
Fighting back tears, he told show host Robin Roberts, “I’m gonna lose it. She’s been amazing. She really taught me what unconditional love is," Daily Mail noted.
The actor acknowledged that he’s typically in the past as he "tried to do everything for everybody and never asked for help myself."
“This has put me in a position of having to ask for help and having to receive help,” he said. “And the beautiful blessing of that has been seeing how many people in my life have shown up.”
James Van Der Beek focuses on life changes, says he sobbed and felt 'terrified mess'
James Van Der Beek has spent most of his time focusing on positive life changes since his diagnosis.
“I’ve spent about 90 percent of the time thinking about what changes I can make that I never would have made before and feeling grateful for them,” he said.
However, he acknowledged the emotional toll. “As for the other 10 percent, I was a sobbing, terrified mess,” he admitted.
Beek explained how he allowed himself to fully experience his emotions, saying, “It’s been an exercise in just being present to all of it and really just allowing the fear to come up.”
Despite the difficulties, Beek has chosen to find meaning in the experience. “Why is this in my prescription? Why are all these emotions coming up, and how can this be great for me?” he said.
