Valerie Harper: Beloved Star’s Final Months
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Photo credit: Getty Images
Valerie Harper has been fighting long and hard, but insiders tell The National ENQUIRER that the beloved "Rhoda" star's four-year battle against brain cancer is coming to an end!
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Photo credit: Files
“In 2013, Valerie was told she had six months to live — then she beat the odds by a landslide,” a source told The ENQUIRER. “Now, though, she accepts that she’s facing her final days.” The talented comic actress is beloved by millions as Rhoda Morgenstern, the character she portrayed to hilarious perfection in the 1970s on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and then her own spin-off, “Rhoda.” But her continuing struggle with the disease has been a tragedy for her adoring fans!
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Photo credit: Getty Images
Valerie first revealed she’d undergone surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from her lungs. She thought she was in the clear until docs discovered four years later that she had leptomeningeal carcinomatosis — a rare, incurable condition in which the cancer spreads to the linings of the brain and spinal cord. Undaunted by the terminal news, Valerie dug in her heels. She went on medication, including a drug called Tarceva, and also turned to alternative therapies such as acupuncture — and saw real results!
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Photo credit: Mega
Her plucky attitude certainly helped, too. “I don’t want to die!” she says. “I want to live to be 102!” So in 2013 — soon after her death-sentence diagnosis — Valerie competed on “Dancing with the Stars.” She continued to appear on stage as well. But on July 29, 2015, Valerie collapsed during a performance of “Nice Work if You Can Get It” at a theater in Maine and was rushed to the hospital. Though she blamed a medication mix-up, Valerie began to confront her own mortality.
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Photo credit: Mega
“She put on a brave face and interacted with fans as best as she could,” said the source. “But everyone was shocked by her appearance. She was so thin and gaunt; she looked like she was dying.” Valerie made perhaps her last public appearance at an event in Oct. 2016, and then sought seclusion and the company of loved ones, including her husband Tony Cacciotti and daughter Cristina.
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Photo credit: Files
Then, on January 25, Valerie was dealt another serious blow with the passing of her sitcom and real-life best friend, Mary Tyler Moore. “I cannot stop the emotions I’m experiencing, since she was my acting colleague, my sister/soulmate and, above all, one hell of a girlfriend!” Valerie said. “I’ll miss you, ‘Mair.’ I will always be your co- pilot!”
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Photo credit: Getty Images
“Losing Mary was devastating,” admitted the source. “It sapped what little strength she had to see her best friend lose her life.” Although Valerie’s rep denies it, those close to the star say she is prepared to face the inevitable. “Valerie has never taken life for granted,” said the source, “and she’s hoping she’ll go on to a better place.” Valerie, however, has kept quiet about her beliefs, only saying: “We don’t know what’s around the corner.”
Valerie Harper has been fighting long and hard, but insiders tell The National ENQUIRER that the beloved "Rhoda" star's four-year battle against brain cancer is coming to an end!
Photo credit: Getty Images
“In 2013, Valerie was told she had six months to live — then she beat the odds by a landslide,” a source told The ENQUIRER. “Now, though, she accepts that she’s facing her final days.” The talented comic actress is beloved by millions as Rhoda Morgenstern, the character she portrayed to hilarious perfection in the 1970s on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and then her own spin-off, “Rhoda.” But her continuing struggle with the disease has been a tragedy for her adoring fans!
Photo credit: Files
Valerie first revealed she’d undergone surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from her lungs. She thought she was in the clear until docs discovered four years later that she had leptomeningeal carcinomatosis — a rare, incurable condition in which the cancer spreads to the linings of the brain and spinal cord. Undaunted by the terminal news, Valerie dug in her heels. She went on medication, including a drug called Tarceva, and also turned to alternative therapies such as acupuncture — and saw real results!
Photo credit: Getty Images
Her plucky attitude certainly helped, too. “I don’t want to die!” she says. “I want to live to be 102!” So in 2013 — soon after her death-sentence diagnosis — Valerie competed on “Dancing with the Stars.” She continued to appear on stage as well. But on July 29, 2015, Valerie collapsed during a performance of “Nice Work if You Can Get It” at a theater in Maine and was rushed to the hospital. Though she blamed a medication mix-up, Valerie began to confront her own mortality.
Photo credit: Mega
“She put on a brave face and interacted with fans as best as she could,” said the source. “But everyone was shocked by her appearance. She was so thin and gaunt; she looked like she was dying.” Valerie made perhaps her last public appearance at an event in Oct. 2016, and then sought seclusion and the company of loved ones, including her husband Tony Cacciotti and daughter Cristina.
Photo credit: Mega
Then, on January 25, Valerie was dealt another serious blow with the passing of her sitcom and real-life best friend, Mary Tyler Moore. “I cannot stop the emotions I’m experiencing, since she was my acting colleague, my sister/soulmate and, above all, one hell of a girlfriend!” Valerie said. “I’ll miss you, ‘Mair.’ I will always be your co- pilot!”
Photo credit: Files
“Losing Mary was devastating,” admitted the source. “It sapped what little strength she had to see her best friend lose her life.” Although Valerie’s rep denies it, those close to the star say she is prepared to face the inevitable. “Valerie has never taken life for granted,” said the source, “and she’s hoping she’ll go on to a better place.” Valerie, however, has kept quiet about her beliefs, only saying: “We don’t know what’s around the corner.”
Photo credit: Getty Images
