James van der Beek marked his 48th birthday by looking back on “the hardest year of his life” as he continues to fight cancer.
Vandel Beek leaned against his faith throughout the turbulent times as the “Dawson Creek” star confessed that his journey with colorectal cancer had a deep impact on his marriage and family.
In a social media video posted on March 8th, titled “Cancer Tells You,” the Hollywood actor began sharing what he had taken from “the 48th Sun Trip.”
James van der Beek mistook cancer symptoms for a problem with his diet
“Dawson's Creek” star James van dervik reflected his mortality rate as he leaned against his faith during the “hardest” years of his life due to an ongoing cancer battle. (Michael Buckner/Deadline/Penske Media via Getty Images)
“Today is my birthday and it was the most difficult year of my life,” began Van Der Beek.
“When I was younger, I defined myself as an actor, but it was never so fulfilling, so I became a husband…it got much better and then I became a father…it was the ultimate,” he told 1.6 million followers on Instagram.
Van Del Beek shares six children with his wife Kimberly – Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabelle, 11, Emilia, 8, Gwendolyn, 6, and Jeremiah, 2.
James van der Beek was forced to reveal cancer diagnosis before a planned timeline
Van Del Beek shares six children with his wife Kimberly – Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabelle, 11, Emilia, 8, Gwendolyn, 6, and Jeremiah, 2. (Photo: Hulu's Rachel Murray/Getty Images)
The father of six pointed out that during his cancer battle he was “forced to see his death rate in his eyes.”
“I had to come from nose to nose with death,” he said. “And all the definitions I cared so deeply about were stripped of from me.”
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“I was away for treatment so I could no longer be a useful husband for my wife,” continued Van der Beek. “I was no longer a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them. I wasn't working, so I couldn't become a provider.”
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During his cancer journey, the actor said that he was “a man with too little skin and weak, alone in an apartment with cancer… what am I?”
The “Varsity Blues” star said at the moment he leaned against his faith.
Van der Beek stayed fine as he fought against stage 3 colorectal cancer. (James van der Beek)
“I deserve God's love simply because I exist,” he shared. “And if I deserve God's love, should I deserve myself too?”
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“When I moved this healing portal towards recovery, I wanted to share it with you, as the revelation I came with is almost not in all the prayers and love directed towards me.”
He continues, “I certainly do not claim to know what God is or explain to me. My efforts to connect with him are an ongoing process that is a constant unfolding mystery to me.”
“But if it is a trigger that feels too religious, you can remove the word God from your mantra, and it may simply be “I deserve love.” Because you are there. ”
Van der Beek stayed fine as he fought against stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Van der Beek first revealed his diagnosis in November 2024. (Michael Buckner/Deadline/Penske Media via Getty Images)
According to Mayo Clinic, “Many treatments help control colorectal cancer, such as “surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and other medications.”
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In November 2024, Vander Beek first said, “I have colorectal cancer. I personally deal with this diagnosis and have taken steps to resolve it.
“There's a reason for optimism, and I feel good,” he added.
