Trending:
- Teddi Mellencamp revealed that she has stage 4 cancer after her melanoma metastasized to her brain and lungs
- The reality star thought she had beaten the disease but additional tumors were discovered
- She is now undergoing immunotherapy and radiation
Teddi Mellencamp has confirmed that her cancer is now stage 4.
On April 2, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, 43, posted a video on her Instagram Stories while lying in bed to share an update on her health and thank those who supported her.
“I woke up to so many kind messages,” she said. “I just want to say thank you guys so much. So many messages about how strong I am. And I gotta tell you, some days I feel really really strong and some days I feel really really sad and alone. And I think that’s a normal part of what any of us are going through, and that’s okay. Stage 4 cancer can be scary.”
The reality star said that April 1 was the first time she had immunotherapy and radiation on the same day, and the treatment left her feeling “so tired and run down.” However, she insisted that things are going to get better for her.
“I kinda thought that I had already beaten it,” she admitted as her voice started to shake. “And then a couple days later, I found out I had four more tumors. So there’s so many different highs and lows.”
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Mellencamp said she’s resting and recovering from her treatment, noting that she’s “learned to listen to my body” while remaining hopeful about her future health. She also shared a photo of herself undergoing treatment, which she said is “hopefully saving my life.”
“I’m just thinking about all the goals that I have for the future for myself and for my kids,” she ended.
Mellencamp’s cancer reached stage 4 after her melanoma, with which she was first diagnosed in 2022, metastasized to her brain and lungs.
According to articles published in the National Institute of Health, up to 60% of patients with advanced melanoma develop brain metastases during the course of their disease, and “the presence of brain metastases significantly worsens a patient’s prognosis.” This occurs when cancer cells migrate through the blood-brain barrier.
Stage 4 cancer is the most advanced phase of the disease, with a five-year survival rate of 35%, according to the American Cancer Society.
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Mellencamp first announced on Feb. 12 that doctors found multiple tumors on her brain after she was struggling with “severe and debilitating headaches” for several weeks.
Four large tumors were surgically removed on Feb. 12 while her “smaller” tumors remained to be treated with radiation. She later returned to Instagram on March 6 to share that additional tumors were discovered.
“I have 3 more tumors in my brain and 2 tumors on my lungs. These are all a direct result of my melanoma,” she said at the time. “The doctors are hopeful that these additional mutations will be removed via immunotherapy…I am feeling positive and excited — that I will beat these tumors.”
“Now, as @bravoandy would say: with all due… f*** off, cancer!”
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