has some heartbreaking news. the tv legend, known simply as rhoda! reporter: tells people magazine she has a rare, incurable form of brain cancer. in a tearful interview the magazine calls a brave goodbye, the 73-year-old says the diagnosis hit me like a sledge hammer. incurable is such a concise word. i was terrified. when she appeared on gma in january, she told amy about stroke-like symptoms that had recently sent her to the hospital. i thought, what the heck is happening to me? reporter: what she didn t say is she received the terminal diagnosis just days earlier. hey, val, how are you, darling? it s me, mary. reporter: during the interview, a surprise phone call from an old friend left her visibly moved. thank you for calling in. i m just so touched. i just want to wish you well. i know you do. you always have wished me well. reporter: harper tells people, i don t think of dying, i think of being here now. there are moments of course