“A Little Worried”: Bachelor Alum Joe Amabile Opens Up About Scan Anxiety Ahead of First Post-Surgery Brain MRI
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Bachelor Nation favorite Joe Amabile—affectionately known to fans as “Grocery Store Joe”—is candidly sharing his pre-scan nerves as he prepares for his first follow-up MRI three months after undergoing brain tumor surgery.
In an Instagram Story posted on Wednesday, November 11, the 40-year-old reality star admitted he has been feeling slightly off while awaiting next week’s medical check-in:
“I’ve been feeling a little out of it the past couple days, but the weather is so nice I just went for a run. My first MRI from my surgery is next week, so I’m a little worried about that. But…”
Early Detection and Navigating Recovery
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Amabile’s journey began in July 2026 when an incidental whole-body MRI scan detected an early-stage abnormality on his left frontal lobe—an area governing movement and speech. Following a diagnosis of a low-grade astrocytoma (a form of cancerous brain tumor), he underwent successful neurosurgery at NYU Langone in early August to remove the mass:
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Post-Op Challenges: During the initial stages of his recovery, Amabile experienced temporary speech difficulties and bouts of sensory overstimulation, alongside the sobering reality that the tumor’s location carried a temporary risk of paralysis.
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Daily Management: Alongside routine follow-up MRIs to monitor his brain health, his long-term care plan includes taking a daily targeted medication designed to keep any residual tumor cells dormant.
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Steady Progress: Reflecting on his healing trajectory, Amabile noted: “Overall, I feel good. It’s obviously been challenging and tough at times, but I’m definitely better and I’m getting better every day.”
Reclaiming Control at the NYC Marathon
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Refusing to let his diagnosis define his limits, Amabile turned back to fitness as soon as his medical team cleared him to run roughly two weeks after surgery. Just 88 days after waking up from his operation, he crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon on November 1:
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Restoring Confidence: Describing the physical and mental toll of facing a brain tumor, Amabile explained that training for the 26.2-mile race helped him feel whole again:“It felt good and reassuring just to feel like you’re back. When you go through something like brain surgery, there’s a big risk of how you could come out of it. And where the tumor was in my brain, there was a chance that I could be paralyzed for the first two weeks. So, it was just nice to have control back and know that my body’s okay.”
Despite natural jitters ahead of next week’s scan, Amabile’s milestone marathon finish remains a powerful reminder of his resilience as he continues moving forward in recovery.
