‘Good Morning America’s Lara Spencer, 56, Admits To Being ‘Forever My Mama’s Baby Girl’ After Her 85-Year-Old Mom’s Brain Tumor Battle

Spencer, who is also the creator/host of the TV show “Flea Market Flip,” captioned the Instagram post, “I am the youngest of five and forever my mama’s baby girl. Feeling so thankful today for our time together.

“Hope you all have a day filled with love and family. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lara Spencer (@lara.spencer)

Von Seelen completed treatment for a brain tumor last year, and since then, Spencer hasn’t hesitated to express her devoted love and deep admiration for her mom.

When Spencer’s mom turned 85 back in July, she celebrated with 10 sweet photos shared on social media for the milestone event.

She wrote alongside the memories, “No presents!!!! Just your presence.’ My mom-She has defied the odds-surviving a pretty horrible diagnosis, major brain tumor surgery and all that goes with it-and now a year and 7 months later- as she welcomes her 85th lap around the sun-she continues to inspire us to be optimistic and grateful for every day we are lucky enough to enjoy.

“It was a truly joyful birthday celebration with all five of her children, a gaggle of grandkids, and now 3 great grandkids who will one day will look at these pictures and see that twinkle in her eye and know how much she loves them.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lara Spencer (@lara.spencer)

Fans flooded the commented with kind words, with one writing, “What a beautiful legacy and also such a blessing that she is still with you!”

Another fan wrote, “Happy Birthday to your mom! What an incredible woman she must be! You cherish every minute you have with your mom! Life is precious, just like your mom!”

A Resilient Battle With Brain Cancer

On February 21, 2024, Spencer shared encouraging news about her mom’s brain cancer journey, posting a photo of her with her medical team and writing “I am so happy to share that my mom has just finished treatment for a brain tumor and she is doing GREAT.

“Six weeks. 5 days a week. Both chemo and radiation–and not surprising at all, if you know my mom, she is still smiling. My friend Susan gave her a pair of socks that say it all—‘you picked the wrong bit*#, cancer!’”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lara Spencer (@lara.spencer)

The New York Times best-selling author added, “Thank you to the amazing and compassionate team at Florida Cancer Specialists in Sarasota starting with Dr. Scott Lunin, and endless thanks to Dr. John Boockvar and the Brain Tumor team at Lenox Hospital in New York for your groundbreaking trial to get chemo past the blood brain barrier.

“My mom is proof positive your work is a game changer. Mom-your spirituality and belief that anything is possible are a masterclass in how to live. You are a fierce and fabulous warrior and I can’t wait to celebrate with you!!!!!”

The uplifting news followed a 2023 Thanksgiving post from Spencer, revealing her family dealt with “scary couple of months for her (and all of us).”

According to Northwell Health, Spencer praised her mom’s doctor’s for their “incredible work, and their kindness and compassion,” during Lenox Hill Hospital Brain Tumor Center’s 10th Anniversary Gala in 2024.

At the time, Spencer insisted her mom was “thriving” after treatment.

Spencer also revealed her mom has glioblastoma, and ultimately learned this type of brain cancer “is not a death sentence.”

She added, “Knowing that my mom has not months, but years, is something. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to say thank you.”

How Can Caregivers Care For Themselves?

When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer or another serious condition, it can turn your world upside down. If you’re taking on the role of primary caregiver, your attention will suddenly turn from your job and family to caregiving. And no matter how much you plan for your new role, the enormity of it can take you by surprise.

“Caregiving is a huge job. It’s going to impact your health and your physical well-being. It will impact your finances, your social life, your emotions, and your mental energy,” Amy Brown, nurse manager of Gynecologic/Oncology at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, previously shared with SurvivorNet.

Support for caregivers

With caregiving taking up a lot of your personal time away from work, school or other life duties, it’s important to realize that you may need help.

“I learned this the hard way myself,” Brown said. “I have been the caregiver to my dad for 12 years. And I’m a nurse and I’m designed and equipped to handle that, and I tried to do it myself and failed miserably.”

Brown stresses the importance of caring for yourself while you care for your loved one. In order to fully take care of someone, you need to feel your best.

Feeling fatigued or stressed at times can lead to bigger issues that could impact you, and that’s why it’s so important to not only prioritize your mental health, but also your physical health as well.

That’s why, if you start to feel the physical toll of being a caregiver, it’s so important to take some time to relax or even visit the doctor if things progress.

Check out SurvivorNet’s designated resources for cancer caregivers here.

Understanding Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain cancer. It grows rapidly and infiltrates surrounding brain tissue, making it challenging to treat. A diagnosis of glioblastoma is indeed overwhelming, but understanding your treatment options can empower you to make informed decisions about your care.

After you’ve had a full work-up, experts say getting a consultation at a treatment center that sees a lot of patients with brain cancer can be an extremely valuable step.

A Utah Brain Cancer Expert’s Quick Guide To The ‘Standard of Care’ Treatment Options For Glioblastoma

Dr. Randy Jensen, a neurosurgeon at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, tells SurvivorNet that the standard of care for glioblastoma is typically to start with surgery.

“The standard of care for glioblastoma is to start off with a maximal safe resection, and that means having your surgeon pull out all the stops of anything they can do to maximize resection [removal],” Dr. Jensen explains.

The Standard of Care for Glioblastoma

While surgery is often where treatment starts, the treatment path for glioblastoma requires a comprehensive approach involving multiple medical specialties. Your care team may include neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, neuro-oncologists, and supportive care specialists.

The treatment approach for glioblastoma may consist of the following steps.

1. Surgery: The first step in treatment is often surgical removal of the tumor, also known as resection. The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible while preserving neurological function. Complete removal is often difficult due to the tumor’s infiltrative nature, but reducing the tumor size can improve the effectiveness of subsequent treatments. In cases where surgery is not possible due to the tumor’s location, a biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
2. Radiation Therapy: Following surgery, most patients undergo radiation therapy to target any remaining cancer cells. Radiation uses high-energy X-rays or protons to damage the DNA of tumor cells, preventing them from growing and dividing. It is typically administered five days a week over a period of six weeks. Radiation therapy is a crucial component in slowing tumor progression and improving survival rates.
3. Chemotherapy: Temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard chemotherapy drug used in glioblastoma treatment. It is taken orally and works by interfering with the tumor cells’ ability to replicate. TMZ is often used in combination with radiation therapy (concurrent chemoradiation) and then continued as maintenance therapy for several months.
4. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFs): TTFs are a newer, non-invasive treatment option that uses alternating electrical fields to disrupt cancer cell division.

Dr. Jensen explains that after surgery for brain cancer, a tumor board meeting often occurs, where doctors with different specialties meet to assess the case together and decide the best way to proceed with treatment.

The purpose of the tumor board is to give brain cancer experts with different specialties the opportunity to discuss and decide on the best possible treatment approach.

Side Effects of Glioblastoma Treatment

Each glioblastoma treatment comes with potential side effects. Your medical team will work with you to manage these effects and improve your quality of life.

Surgery side effects can include:

• Swelling in the brain (edema), which may require steroids to reduce inflammation
• Neurological deficits, such as difficulty speaking, memory problems, or muscle weakness, depending on the tumor’s location
• Infection or bleeding at the surgical site

Radiation side effects can include:

• Fatigue, which can persist for weeks after treatment ends
• Hair loss in the treated area
• Skin irritation or redness
• Cognitive effects, such as difficulty concentrating or memory problems

Chemotherapy side effects can include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased risk of infections due to lower white blood cell counts
• Fatigue
• Low blood platelet levels, which can increase the risk of bleeding or bruising

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFs) side effects can include:

• Skin irritation from the transducer arrays
• Mild to moderate headaches
• Scalp sensitivity
• Psychological adjustment to wearing the device for extended periods

When Are Tumor Treating Fields Used?

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFs) represent an exciting advancement in glioblastoma treatment. This therapy is designed to slow tumor growth without affecting healthy brain tissue.

TTFs use low-intensity, alternating electric fields to disrupt cancer cell division. This is achieved through a wearable device that delivers continuous therapy on the scalp. These fields interfere with the tumor cells’ ability to multiply, ultimately slowing or stopping tumor progression.

Two major clinical trials, EF-11 and EF-14, demonstrated that TTFs provide a survival benefit for glioblastoma patients:

• EF-11 Trial: This trial focused on recurrent glioblastoma and found that patients receiving TTF therapy had comparable survival rates to those receiving chemotherapy, but with fewer side effects
• EF-14 Trial: This trial demonstrated that newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients who used TTFs alongside standard chemotherapy had significantly improved survival compared to those who received chemotherapy alone

TTFs may be recommended in the following scenarios:

• Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma: After surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, TTFs can be integrated into the treatment plan to enhance survival rates. The device is typically used continuously for at least 18 hours per day to maximize its effectiveness.
• Recurrent Glioblastoma: For patients whose tumors have returned, TTFs may be an option to extend survival and manage disease progression.

Your healthcare team will assess your overall health, tumor characteristics, and previous treatments to determine if TTFs are suitable for you. Factors such as your ability to wear the device consistently and your comfort with its use will also be considered.

The Future of Glioblastoma Treatment

Research into new glioblastoma treatments is ongoing.

Some promising areas of focus include include immunotherapy and targeted therapies.

Clinical trials also offer access to experimental therapies that may improve outcomes. Patients interested in participating in clinical trials should discuss options with their oncologists.

Questions for Your Doctor

If you have been diagnosed with glioblastoma, here are some questions you may consider asking your doctor:

• What are the treatment options in my case? Am I eligible for surgery?
• What are the risks and benefits of the recommended treatment?
• What are the side effects of the recommended treatment?
• What’s the likelihood that insurance will cover the recommended treatment?

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

---