Former child actor Scott Baio has credited his faith in God for keeping him strong while his wife of seven years, Renee, battles a series of brain tumors.
According to Entertainment Tonight, the 55-year-old, best known for playing Chachi Arcola in the hit show Happy Days, revealed earlier this year that his wife Renee, 42, had been diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor.
"We ask for your prayers and support," Baio wrote in a Facebook post. "Just a few days ago we learned my wife, Renee has a meningioma brain tumor. Although 90% of these types of tumors are benign they can cause serious problems depending on the size of the tumor and the location. We are waiting to learn the exact location to see if its operable."
He also explained that his wife's faith has not been shaken by the difficult ordeal: "Renee has been down some rough roads in her life, yet each time with her strong faith in God, she comes through a better and stronger person. During this time we ask for your prayers and support. My wife is my rock. She refuses to even shed one tear, nor will she question God's will. Renee, Bailey and I will get through this and along the way maybe help educate others to get checked out (MRI with contrast) as 6500 people each year, mostly women get these tumors.''
On Wednesday, Baio told Entertainment Tonight that Renee's diagnosis came after she was experiencing intense migraines that doctors first put down to hormone problems.
"I'm tough in a different way. She's life tough," he told the news outlet. "It's been all about our kid. I would have been devastated for our daughter, because she is everything to us, so that would've crushed her."
Renee has also opened up about keeping strong for the sake of their daughter during this difficult time: "Before we told our daughter, he had put his head on my shoulder in the kitchen and he wept, and our daughter witnessed this, and she said, 'Mommy, why are you making Daddy cry? You need to apologize. You apologize for making Daddy cry,' Renee said.
"So I bit the inside of my mouth and I said, 'I'm sorry, Daddy, for making you cry.' You just got to be strong."
Hundreds of fans have since taken to Facebook to offer prayers and support for the actor and his wife.
"Scott, 1 Corinthians 2 vs 5 says, 'Let your faith not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.' I pray that God will continue to strengthen you during these difficult struggles. Praying for your wife, you and your daughter," wrote Lisette Kosko.
Added Cathy Greene, "Scott, I just heard about the battle, you and your beautiful wife are fighting. I am so sorry this has happened to such a beautiful couple with a beautiful little girl. God does perform miracles, and I hope your wife is the next one we see. My heart breaks for you, and I will keep you all in my prayers. God Bless."
