It’s been nearly two months since we reported that the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp, the daughter of the legendary musician John Mellencamp, had multiple brain tumors. Now, she has made the sad announcement that doctors have found four more such tumors after performing surgery on her.
Teddi’s Cancer Battle
“I’m fighting for my life,” Teddi, 43, told US Weekly, “But also for my family’s life and all the people I love.”
Teddi has been dealing with melanoma on and off since 2022. One month ago, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Now, Teddi has revealed that her cancer has spread to her brain and her lungs, and doctors have found four more tumors.
Teddi had been suffering from severe migraines for months. By February, medications had become ineffective to fight these debilitating headaches.
“I was having migraines, and taking medication didn’t help,” Teddi recalled. “I was shaking and feeling crazy. Then one day, I was like, something is really wrong. I couldn’t see.”
Teddi Is Rushed To The Hospital
Not knowing what else to do, Teddi had her estranged husband Edwin Arroyave rush her to the emergency room.
“The pain had become something I’d never felt before,” Teddi admitted. “They diagnosed me with multiple brain tumors, but the [ER doctor] says he can’t take them out; they’ve got to get me into Cedars-Sinai [hospital]. And I’m like, ‘Can’t you get me in tonight? I want to go tonight.’ I had six brain tumors and two lung tumors; they all came from melanoma that metastasized into these tumors inside of my body.”
Teddi went on to say that “it was within 24 hours that an incredible surgeon was able to remove four tumors from my brain. I didn’t know they had been there for six months to a year, and we had no idea.”
Teddi immediately began undergoing radiation and immunotherapy treatments. Understandably, this took a major toll on her body.
“I thought I was going to feel like how I felt after my neck lift,” she explained. “My reaction is always a headache, and I found out that’s good news because it means that the immunotherapy or the radiation is killing your cancer.”
John Mellencamp’s Advice For Teddi
Throughout this difficult time, Teddi’s famous musician father John, 73, has been calling to check in on her every day.
“Some days, I’m not in the mood. I don’t want a pep talk,” Teddi admitted. “[I tell him], ‘I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I’ll be more pep talk-ready, but I love you.’”
John was just 36 years-old when he suffered a heart attack that nearly killed him. This has allowed him to give his daughter some powerful advice as she fights for her own life.
“I remember his life completely changing,” Teddi said. “And some of the moments [when] I felt really scared, I was like, ‘Hold on. I’m not changing everything about my life. I want more things. I want to keep building.’”
“But he’s like, ‘There are moments where you emotionally won’t be able to control how you’re feeling because of a certain medication or a certain whatever. And you have to give yourself some grace and know this isn’t you sometimes. And that’s OK,'” she added.
Related: The Piece Of Advice John Mellencamp Still Follows From Hix Ex-Wife
Teddi Continues Her Fight
The four additional tumors were found in Teddi’s brain on March 25. This has led to a change in her treatment plan, as doctors want to fight this even more aggressively moving forward.
“I find out for sure exactly where we stand on June 1,” Teddi concluded. “If you need to do another round, if there’s any other surgery, if it’s the end. It’s a hard pill to swallow.”
Teddi is the mother of three young children who are ages 12, 10, and 5, respectively. This has clearly been an unspeakably difficult time for Teddi and her entire family. Please join us in saying a prayer for Teddi as she continues to fight for her life!
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