Bachelor Nation heaved a collective sigh of relief when Joe Amabile revealed that surgery to remove a brain tumor had been successful.
Following an update, in which he shared a social media post in which 23 stitches were removed from his head, the reality TV favorite fans nicknamed “Grocery Store Joe” offered details on his recovery during a recent TV appearance.
A Long Recovery
In an interview with “Good Morning America” three weeks after his surgery, he detailed what lies ahead as he continues to recover.
He revealed that the surgery had impacted his ability to speak. “I still struggle a little bit,” Amabile admitted, explaining there was a disconnect between the words he wanted to say and actually saying them.
“I could think of what to say, but I would have a hard time vocalizing it,” he said.
However, he also shared that he’s been making progress in recovering his speech. “And I would say I’m about 90 percent back,” he said.
Early Detection Was Key
As Amabile told viewers, the tumor was first discovered after he’d undergone an elective full-body MRI screening. Detecting the tumor through that screening, he explained, likely saved his life.
“According to my doctor, I wouldn’t probably know about this until I eventually had a seizure,” he said.
Amabile’s doctor, Dr. Alexandra Miller, chief of neuro-oncology at the Perlmutter Cancer Center, told “Good Morning America” that follow-up scans that Amabile underwent at NYU Medical Center indicated his tumor was what is known as an astrocytoma.
“It was a really good thing and very lucky that he was able to find it early,” Miller confirmed.
As the National Cancer Institute notes, astrocytoma “is a type of glioma that forms in star-shaped cells called astrocytes in the brain and spinal cord.” These tumors can be either benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
He’s ‘Grateful’ for His Wife’s Support
GettyThe surgery was successful, and Amabile is expected to make a full recovery. In addition, he’s also been prescribed daily medication intended to prevent another tumor from forming.
The reason he went public with his diagnosis, he explained, was so that his experience could help others facing a similar diagnosis.
“I think being able to share so other people can relate, and people who are going through it, I think is, it’s super important,” Amabile said.
He also credited the support of wife Serena Pitt, whom he met while they both appeared on “Bachelor in Paradise.”
“Unexpected challenges are going to be thrown your way and I feel like it has made me feel very grateful for the partner that I chose,” Pitt told “Good Morning America.”
A Positive Attitude
Last month, Amabile and Pitt spoke candidly about the impending surgery during an episode of their “Not Married to This” podcast.
“I’m not one of those people like, ‘Oh, it’s all about mindset.’ But I do believe going into this positive and with a positive mindset and keeping my stress levels low is the best thing I could do for my health in this current moment,” he said at the time. “I am staying positive. I think it’s great that we caught this early.”
