A Broadway Lover's Dream Come True
- Molly Oldham, a 19-year-old theater lover, is battling stage three anaplastic ependymoma. She was shocked when actor Ben Platt surprised her with an invitation to attend the premiere of Platt’s film Dear Evan Hansen in September.
- Ependymoma is a very rare type of tumor that starts in the brain or spinal cord which make up the central nervous system (CNS).
- Some experts like Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology, recommend making the time to do whatever makes you happy because many studies suggest that patients who are able to maintain a positive outlook often have better treatment outcomes.
Oldham was first diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma in 2019 when doctors found a tennis ball-sized brain tumor in the parietal lobe of her brain after she went to the doctor for debilitating migraines. Two days later, she had a six-hour brain surgery later followed by 33 rounds of proton therapy.
Read MoreDear Evan Hansen, originally a Broadway show, is a favorite of Oldham’s, and she’s been excited for the film adaptation to come out later this year starring Platt who also led the original Broadway cast. Oldham was beyond shocked when Platt revealed he offered her a Broadway lover’s chance of a lifetime.
“I’m here to tell you that today is going to be a really good day,” Platt said in his video message for The View. “I don’t know if you heard since you’re a Dear Evan Hansen fan, but the film version is coming out in September, and I would be honored if you and a guest would join me at the premiere.”
In a recent Instagram post, Oldham expressed her utmost gratitude for the experience.
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“I was surprised with THE Ben Platt telling me that he has invited me to the @dearevanhansenmovie PREMIERE!!!!” she wrote. “I have seriously not stopped smiling… I am over the moon excited to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity and so humbled and grateful for this experience. I am counting the days until I can watch one of my favorite performers on earth back on the big screen!!!”
But that wasn’t the only surprise for Oldham that day. Dominick Amendum, her University of North Carolina Greensboro theater professor, came on screen to tell Oldham she would receive a full scholarship for her last two years at UNCG.
“I was speaking to Chancellor [Franklin] Gilliam the other day about your story and he was reminding me of the Spartan spirit and how we take care of each other and we look out for each other,” Amendum said on The View. “You embody that spirit to everyone here on campus and everyone around the world dealing with what you deal with.”
In her Instagram post, Oldham gushed over her school and thanked them for their generosity.
“I cannot express in words how much this means to me, as cancer finances have hovered over my family's mind for the last 2 years,” Oldham wrote. “@uncgmt is my dream program, and I am so lucky to be learning, growing, and singing my heart out for the remainder of my collegiate career with all of my insanely talented classmates.”
Understanding Ependymoma
Ependymoma is a very rare type of tumor that starts in the brain or spinal cord which make up the central nervous system (CNS).
Ependymoma can develop in adults, but it occurs most often in young children, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and accounts for about 5 percent of all childhood brain cancers. The ASCO estimates that about 240 people under the age of 19 will be diagnosed with ependymoma this year in the United States.
Oldham has stage 3 anaplastic ependymoma. The term anaplastic is used to describe cancerous cells that divide rapidly and have little or no resemblance to normal cells.
Most ependymoma cases tend to be slow-growing tumors, but Oldham’s grade, or stage, is the fastest-growing type of ependymoma. According to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, these are the major types:
- Subependymoma (grade I). This is a slow-growing tumor near the brain ventricles. It’s more common in adults than children. Many times, they don’t cause symptoms.
- Myxopapillary ependymoma (grade I). This is a slow-growing, lower spinal cord tumor most common in male adults.
- Classic ependymoma (grade II). This is a somewhat faster-growing tumor in both children and adults. There are many subtypes.
- Anaplastic ependymoma (grade III). This is a fast-growing cancer tumor often in the base of the brain and rarely in the spinal cord. It tends to spread into nearby parts of the brain and spread to other parts of the brain. These tumors tend to come back after treatment.
Finding Joy during a Cancer Battle
Many people undergoing treatment find it helpful to have ongoing projects or things to look forward to that are separate from their cancer battles. We’re ecstatic for Molly Oldham receiving her two wonderful surprises on The View, but there are other ways for all people currently or previously treating their cancer to create joy. Little things like learning how to play a new instrument, participating in a book club or practicing your photography skills can all help you get through a cancer battle.
Many studies suggest that patients who are able to maintain a positive outlook often have better treatment outcomes. Experts such as Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology, recommend making the time to do whatever makes you happy.
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"We know, from good studies, that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes," Chase told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. "So working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment [and] your emotional well-being are important and can impact your survival. If that's related to what activities you do that bring you joy, then you should try to do more of those activities."
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