Teddi Mellencamp, a former star of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, revealed that doctors have given her a 50% chance of surviving stage 4 melanoma, which has tragically spread to her lungs and brain. The 43-year-old mother of three shared her diagnosis with her followers on social media, providing an emotional glimpse into her ongoing battle with cancer.
Her cancer diagnosis was finalized on April 2, giving her the go ahead to start a regimen of immunotherapy. She has been honest about this emotional journey, and what she’s facing from the leukemia and treatment. Watch as she opens up about the emotional roller coaster that accompanies her care.
In a recent post, Mellencamp shared a poignant side-by-side photo comparison: one from four months ago showing her vibrant health and another reflecting the toll that treatment has taken, including hair loss. This dramatic graphic illustration highlights the real innocence and urgency in her journey.
I tend to exert a lot of control over things, and this is just way outside my control. And for the first time, I’m really scared,” she said, voice tinged not just with concern but the terror often felt by those who hear that life-altering diagnosis.
Mellencamp articulated the struggle she faces daily. “Sometimes I feel really strong and beautiful and like I can do anything, and sometimes I feel like this might be the lowest and the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” she added. Her sentiments reflect the reality for many living in constant medical crisis, and articulate the intersection of hope and despair so many in this complicated situation feel.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding her health, she remains grateful for the support she has received from followers, friends, and family. In her most candid moments, she owned one key factor. She discovered that in her attempts to always be “strong,” she stopped remembering it was alright to be sad, to cry, to feel lonely.
Mellencamp’s musings go beyond the artistic to the clinical side of her disease. She realized through her own experience that shifting attention away from odds and percentages makes a difference. Rather, she asks how she can more positively reframe her interests. 50/50? That’s beyond the pale! I wouldn’t purchase a car that only works half the time on, she thundered, clearly agitated by the numbers.
Throughout her stormy path, Mellencamp has weathered the chaos with grace. She holds on to one important piece that continues to give her hope despite the challenges she encounters. She’s an enthusiastic user of social media platforms and uses them to engage people and take them into her world. In exchange, she gets flooded with love and support from her 600,000+ fans.