James van der Beek thought about how difficult the past year was after he was diagnosed with colon cancer in stage 3
The 48 -year -old actor announced how his health battle prompted him to question his value and place, and described how his cancer had an impact on his wife and family About a current Instagram video.
(Van der Beek had been married to his wife Kimberley Since 2010 and the couple have been sharing six children: Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 8, Gwendolyn, 6, Jeremiah, 2.)
“It was the hardest year of my life and I wanted to share something I learned with you,” Van der Beek began in the video that was published on his 48th birthday. “When I was younger, I defined myself as an actor, which was never really so fulfilling. And then I became a husband and that was much better. And then I became a father and that was the ultimate. “
Van der Beek explained that it was important for him to define himself as a “loving, capable, strong, strong, supportive husband, father, provider, Steward of the Land”. According to van der Beek, his cancer dropped this solid definition, which he held so much.
“And this year I had to look my own mortality. I came to the nose with death, ”he said. “All of these definitions that I took care of it was withdrawn. I was gone for treatment so that I could no longer be a husband who was helpful to my wife. I couldn’t be a father who could pick up his children and put his children in bed and be there for them.
He continued: “I couldn’t be a provider because I didn’t work. I couldn’t even be an administrator of the country because sometimes I was too weak to cut all the trees during the window so that they should curtail them. “
Van der Beek further explained that he tried to move with an answer to the question: “Who am I?”
“So I was confronted with the question that if I was only here to be a terrifying, weak type, alone in an apartment with cancer, what am I?” The Dawson’s Creek Alum reflected.
Ultimately, van der Beek came to the conclusion that despite his living conditions, he was still worthy of self -love.
“I meditated and the answer came through. I am worthy of God’s love, simply because I exist. And if I am worthy of God, shouldn’t I appreciate my own? “He said.
Van der Beek revealed first His cancer diagnosis In November 2024.
“I dealt privately with this diagnosis and took measures to solve steps with the support of my incredible family,” he said at the time. “There is reason for optimism and I feel good.”