Valerie Harper diagnosed with terminal brain cancer

Actress Valerie Harper, 73, recently received some devastating news -- she has terminal brain cancer.

The actress, best known as Rhoda Morgenstern on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and its spin-off, "Rhoda," was diagnosed back in mid-January, she tells People.

The tests conducted at the time revealed she has leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, which means that cancer cells have spread into the membrane that surrounds the brain. It is a rare condition and the diagnosis leaves her with as little as three months left to live.

But the actress tells People, "I don't think of dying. I think of being here now."

She also adds, having been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009 despite being a life-long non-smoker, "I'm well past my expiration date already."

Her fans were quick to express their sadness and prayers on Twitter.

"Praying for Valerie Harper. Puts everything in perspective quickly." -- Andy Cohen

"Just heard that Valerie Harper is facing terminal brain cancer. My thoughts and prayers go out to her." -- Marc Berman

"@ValerieHarper I adore you xoxo we all do and are praying for you" -- Hoda Kotb