Tiny Pretty Things star Barton Cowperthwaite has been diagnosed with brain cancer.
“So …. Yesterday I was diagnosed with at least a stage 2 Glioma. It is a fairly decent sized brain tumour,” the Netflix star, 31, wrote via Instagram on Friday.
“The only course of treatment for something like this is brain surgery,” he added.
Despite the prognosis, Cowperthwaite seemed optimistic, explaining that his doctors are “confident” they will be able to remove “most of the tumour”.
“ … After a successful operation, and some rehab, I will be operating like my (amazing, talented, brilliant, hilarious) self,” the actor continued.
“That being said it seems like scans and check ups will be apart [sic] of my life for its lengthy remainder.”
Per John Hopkins Medicine, a glioma is a “common type of tumour originating in the brain,” which accounts for 33 per cent of all brain tumours.
Cowperthwaite — who also shared a selfie of himself in hospital and photos of his brain scans — added that he and his family are taking “several days” to get “second opinions,” but anticipate that the surgery will take place by the “middle or end of next week”.
“I’ll do my best to be open about the journey on here. I am planning on fully bouncing back to be better than my former glory!” he added.
“Please feel free to reach out and I’ll do my best to stay connected with as many people as I can. All my love.” Fans and friends, including his Tiny Pretty Things co-star Casimere Jollette, rushed to the comments to show their love.
“Love you Bart. Sending so much healing to you. You got this,” Jollette wrote.
Cowperthwaite’s fiancée, Sophie Thoerner, also touchingly wrote, “In sickness and in health, my love.”
The actor has since started a GoFundMe with a $50,000 goal to raise money for the surgery.
“Essentially I have a sizeable tumour in my right frontal lobe. Doctors so far have said that it’s about the size of a lemon, and you know what they say, ‘when life gives you lemons … (have the tumour removed so we can) make lemonade!’” Cowperthwaite wrote lightheartedly.
He went on to share that he received the news when he was just “days away” from beginning rehearsals for an “awesome off-Broadway play”.
“Trust me, I find it hilariously ironic that I was diagnosed the exact same day the SAG strike ended,” he added.
“I have full confidence that this is just an unexpected obstacle on my path toward achieving my MANY lofty goals. Please know how grateful I am already. I love you!”
This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.
