Joe Amabile is refusing to let an unexpected health crisis stop him from looking toward the future. The “Bachelor in Paradise” alum revealed that he has been accepted into the 2026 New York City Marathon, even as he prepares to undergo brain surgery next week for what doctors believe could be an early-stage tumor. While Joe Amabile has not committed to running the race, sharing the acceptance appeared to signal his determination to remain hopeful amid an emotional and uncertain period.
Amabile posted a screenshot of his marathon acceptance through his Instagram Stories on Tuesday, July 28. “We’ll see,” the 40-year-old wrote alongside the image, adding a crossed-fingers emoji.
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon is scheduled for November 1. That would give Amabile approximately three months between his planned surgery and the 26.2-mile race. However, his brief message made it clear that his participation remains uncertain as he focuses on his upcoming procedure and recovery.
The hopeful update arrived weeks after the reality television personality disclosed that doctors had discovered a lesion in his brain during a preventative full-body scan.
Doctors Discovered A ‘Blueberry Size Lesion’ In His Brain
Amabile explained that the lesion was unexpectedly detected after he underwent a Prenuvo scan. “So a little medical update. I didn’t share my Prenuvo results because they ended up finding a lesion in my brain, so then I had to go get a brain MRI, and there was a blueberry-sized lesion in my brain that looks to be a glioma, which is a tumor,” he said in an Instagram video.
The reality star initially stated that the surgery would happen the following week before correcting the timeline with text placed over the video. “So I now need to get brain surgery next week to get it removed and get it tested,” Amabile continued, while the added message read, “(Surgery is in two weeks … my bad).”
The procedure will allow doctors to remove and test the lesion. Amabile stressed that the process remained in its early stages and expressed hope that surgeons would be able to remove it entirely. “And then we’re going to go from there,” he shared. “So it’s been a wild couple weeks. I definitely wasn’t expecting this. I think it’s one of those things where you’re like, ‘Oh, something like this will never happen to me.’ And here I am.”
The ‘Bachelor In Paradise’ Alum Prepares For A Craniotomy
Amabile later provided further details about his diagnosis and the procedure he is expected to undergo at Memorial Sloan Kettering. “After multiple scans and MRIs, I have what looks to be an early-stage brain tumor,” he captioned his video. “In two weeks I’ll be undergoing a craniotomy to have it removed, yeah brain surgery, @memorialsloankettering.”
Despite the frightening discovery, the former “Bachelorette” contestant said he was working to maintain a positive outlook with help from the people closest to him. “I’m doing my best to stay positive during this time and am lucky to have a lot of support from family and friends,” he wrote.
Amabile admitted that he initially struggled with whether he wanted to discuss the situation publicly. He ultimately decided that hiding such a significant development from his followers no longer felt necessary. “I’ve gone back and forth about what I wanted to share on social media but ultimately this is now part of my life now, so might as well,” he explained. “Onto a new journey.”
Joe Amabile Says Waiting For Surgery Has Been ‘Tough’
Amabile’s procedure had originally been scheduled for Tuesday, but switching hospitals resulted in it being delayed by one week. The postponement created another emotional challenge for Amabile, who acknowledged feeling caught between wanting the surgery completed and recognizing the seriousness of the operation.
“Alright so today was supposed to be my original, was my original, surgery date. But when I switched hospitals, I got pushed back a week,” he said in a subsequent Instagram video. “The waiting game has been, it’s been tough. It’s been tricky.”
He continued, “Because like, on one hand, I’m like, ‘Alright let’s get this over.’ On the other hand, I’m telling myself, ‘Why are you rushing to have brain surgery?’ Type of thing. So yeah, little update. Surgery is next week.”
Amabile further addressed the delay in the video’s caption. “I’m someone who likes to just rip the band-aid off, so the waiting game has been tough, to say the least,” he wrote. “A lot of ups and downs, but I’m almost there… Surgery is next week.”
Serena Pitt And Bachelor Nation Rally Around Joe Amabile
Amabile’s wife, Serena Pitt, immediately made it clear that he would not face the difficult journey alone. “You’re so strong, and we’re going to get through this together. I love you,” she wrote.
Numerous members of Bachelor Nation and other reality television stars also filled the comment section with messages of encouragement. “Love you brother. You got this and we’ve got you!” Wells Adams commented.
Former “Bachelor” lead Joey Graziadei shared his hopes that the two could reunite after Amabile’s recovery. “Sending all the love and support brother, can’t wait to play a round of golf when you’re all better,” Graziadei wrote.
For now, Amabile remains focused on making it through surgery. However, his marathon acceptance gives him another potential milestone to pursue once he reaches the other side of his recovery.
