Teddi Mellencamp, former star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, has shared the heartbreaking news that her battle with skin cancer has advanced to Stage 4. The 42-year-old revealed that the melanoma, first diagnosed in 2022, had spread to her brain and lungs, requiring emergency surgery earlier this year. In a candid interview with Us Weekly, Mellencamp opened up about her ongoing fight, the toll it has taken on her, and the support she’s receiving from family and friends.
In February, Teddi Mellencamp shocked fans when she announced that she had undergone emergency brain surgery after doctors discovered multiple tumors on her brain. She later clarified that the melanoma had metastasized, and two tumors were also found on her lungs. Since then, Mellencamp has been undergoing radiation and immunotherapy treatments, with her medical team planning to assess her condition on June 1.
Reflecting on the impact of her diagnosis, Mellencamp shared how she’s staying as positive as possible despite the difficult circumstances. “I want to try new things, travel more with the kids, keep building a life and doing the best that we can, and have fun together,” she said in the interview. “That’s my goal.” Still, the reality of the situation isn’t lost on her. “I have not said [my catchphrase] to them since I’ve been back [from the hospital]. They all know that I’m fighting the hardest I possibly can, but I haven’t said it because I don’t want to lie to them. And I don’t know.”
Despite the ongoing treatments and declining energy levels, Mellencamp has remained hopeful and committed to pushing through. “I’m listening to my body, but also staying active and doing things that I love because when I do too much laying [around], I get pretty sad,” she shared. “When I try to pretend I’m OK and resting, it’s hard for me.”
The Journey to Diagnosis and Treatment
Mellencamp described the initial signs that led her to seek medical help. “I was having migraines, and taking medication didn’t help. I was shaking and feeling crazy. Then one day, I was like, something is really wrong,” she explained. “I couldn’t see. Edwin took me to the emergency room in Tarzana; the pain had become something I’d never felt before. 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].”
With help from RHOBH co-star Kyle Richards, Mellencamp was able to get into Cedars-Sinai within 24 hours. “Kyle saved the day,” she recalled. There, a skilled surgeon removed four tumors from her brain. Mellencamp was later diagnosed with a total of six brain tumors and two lung tumors, all stemming from the original melanoma diagnosis.
Now undergoing a rigorous combination of radiation and immunotherapy, Mellencamp noted the physical toll these treatments have had on her body. “I thought I was going to feel like how I felt after my neck lift,” she joked. “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.”
Facing the Unknown and Finding Strength in Family
Mellencamp’s upcoming medical appointments on June 1 will provide more clarity about her future. “I find out for sure exactly where we stand on June 1. 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,” she explained.
The emotional weight of her situation is heavy, and she’s had to confront difficult realities. “Well, a little PSA: Get life insurance early… and do your will. Doing all of those things once you’ve already been diagnosed with cancer isn’t a dream. That’s really hard.”
Despite the difficult moments, Mellencamp is focused on staying present for her children and cherishing the time she has with them. “I’m paying for therapy,” she laughed. “I’m not equipped to fully handle this… It is helping because they ask me questions that I probably wouldn’t have thought to give them answers to.”
She continued, “I can’t imagine my life without them, so I’m going to do everything I possibly can, no matter how mean it makes me. [Laughs] I can’t imagine any of them living without me.”
A Shift in Relationships: Healing with Edwin
One of the more surprising elements of Mellencamp’s journey has been the improvement in her relationship with her estranged husband, Edwin Arroyave. The couple, who had been in the midst of a divorce, has put their differences aside to support each other through this challenging time. “If any part of this was for a reason, the second that I got sick, he completely changed. It’s a silver lining,” Mellencamp reflected. “He’s been there for me a hundred percent, he’s been there for the kids, and we’re back to laughing.”
Mellencamp’s battle with cancer has also led to a shift in the way she’s looking at life—and her relationships. “We call it the ‘Divorce Chronicles,'” she said, with a chuckle. “And I want to talk [to him] about the kind of girls [he’s] going to marry… because if these people are going to take care of my kids, this is what I want, and this is the definition of what I don’t want.”
As her treatment continues, Mellencamp remains determined to fight for her life and keep her family close. Despite the uncertainty, she’s found strength in humor and the unwavering support of those who love her.
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