Teddi Mellencamp has revealed doctors have discovered five more tumors in her body just weeks after she underwent emergency brain cancer surgery.
The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 43, who is mother to three young children – Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove, five – shared the devastating health update with her fans on Thursday after undergoing a CT scan.
The Bravo alum has been battling skin cancer since 2022 and the initial brain tumors were found in mid-February, after she suffered debilitating headaches.
In a post on Instagram Thursday, she announced doctors detected two tumors in her lungs and three more in her brain, noting she will begin immunotherapy and radiation treatment immediately.
‘Update from scans today: I have multiple tumors in my brain that weren’t able to be removed via surgery,’ she said. ‘I also have 2 tumors in my lung.’
Teddi, whose father is legendary singer-songwriter John Cougar Mellencamp, 73, said that her ‘doctors are hopeful that immunotherapy and radiation will effectively treat them.’
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Teddi Mellencamp, 43, has revealed doctors have discovered five more tumors in her body just weeks after she underwent emergency brain cancer surgery
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In a post on Instagram Thursday, she announced doctors detected two tumors in her lungs and three more in her brain
The reality star, who is in the throes of a divorce from husband Edwin Arroyave, said she was ‘feeling positive and excited’ despite the heartbreaking news.
Mellencamp also clarified in an Instagram post, ‘These are all a direct result of my melanoma.’
She continued, ‘I am feeling positive that I will win this battle, that I got this wig (I like the short hair, just not the bald spots), and that I can remember all of Angelina’s kids’ names.’
In the comment section, Mellencamp was comforted by a number of fellow reality stars who hailed her with kind words amid the serious health update.
Judge added, ‘You are gonna kick cancers a**, you are the strongest person I know cancer F** all the way off!!!!’
‘The best moment!’ The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Kyle Richards said. ‘Right after your surgery when you weren’t quite sure what year it was and I said “but I bet she can name all of Angelina Jolie’s kids names” and you did.’
Dorit Kemsley of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills said, ‘You got this Teddi! You’re stronger than you realize. I know you’ll win! You’re a fighter, keep fighting… you have a lot of love and support.’
Shanna Moakler told Mellencamp, ‘Well I’m getting on that treadmill tomorrow you inspire me everyday … you got this!! We all love you!!’
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Mellencamp was comforted by a number of fellow reality stars who hailed her with kind words amid the serious health update
Reality stars such as Dorit Kemsley and Kyle Richards were among those to send well wishes
Reality star Trishelle Cannatella praised Mellencamp as ‘the strongest person’ as she focuses on her health.
‘Only you would have brain surgery one week and be jogging on a treadmill the next,’ she said. ‘You are ready to fight! And I love the wig.’
The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Cynthia Bailey wrote, ‘Love u!!!’ while The Real Housewives of Orange County’s Meghan King said, ‘Love you Teddi. You’re such an inspiration.’
Earlier, Mellencamp addressed fans who were asking about her return to the Two Peas In A Pod podcast, which she does with Real Housewives of Orange County star Tamra Judge, 57. (Judge wrote, ‘I love you so much,’ to her podcasting partner in an Instagram Stories post Thursday.)
Mellencamp told her followers, ‘I’m waiting for my CT scan right now. I’ve seen all your messages, asking when I’m going back to the pod.
‘I don’t actually know. I would assume next week, but I’m listening to what the doctors and my bosses think is best for my brain,’ she admitted.
‘I think when you have four brain tumors and then you have to go through these different things, you have to protect yourself.
‘But of course, I miss the pod. I miss chatting with Tam. I miss Erika (Jayne). I miss laughing. I miss watching all those ridiculous shows,’ she added.
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Judge wrote, ‘I love you so much,’ to her podcasting partner in an Instagram Stories post Thursday
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Teddi with her children Slate, Cruz and Dove
On February 12, Mellencamp posted a statement on her Instagram, revealing how long she’s been dealing with all of these health issues.
‘For the last several weeks I’ve been dealing with severe and debilitating headaches. Yesterday the pain was unbearable and required hospitalization,’ Mellencamp said.
She added that ‘after a CT scan and MRI, doctors found multiple tumors on my brain, which they believed have been growing for at least 6 months.’
The reality star continued: ‘Two of the tumors will be surgically removed today – the remaining smaller tumors will be dealt with via radiation at a later date.’
Mellencamp paid homage to her inner circle standing by her side amid her health crisis.
‘I am blessed to be surrounded by my children, family, friends, doctors, nurses, and surgeons who are doing everything possible to get me back into better health,’ she said.
She wrapped up in expressing her gratitude toward those who have supported her.
‘Thank you everybody who has reached out, and to everyone who has supported me along this journey,’ she concluded.
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Teddi’s sister Justice Mellencamp posted this image of Teddi in the hospital on her Instagram story recently
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Late last year in December, Teddi shared the scars from her melanoma battle
Then in late February after her surgery, Mellencamp took to Instagram to give her 1.1 million followers another health update.
‘I am so grateful for the incredible surgeons, doctor and nurses who made my surgery a success and my recovery process comfortable,’ she began.
‘In full transparency, more tumors were removed than expected: 4 in total. This fight is not over, but that round has been won,’ she added.
‘The laughter, support and patience of my kids, my family, and my closest friends is one gift which words cannot properly express my gratitude,’ she continued.
‘As I move on to the next steps in my treatment, I just wanted to say thank you to everybody for the outpouring of love and prayers,’ she said.
‘I see them, and they’re definitely helping me stay strong,’ Mellencamp concluded in late February.
She also revealed in an Instagram story last week that her ‘staples were out and ready for radiation’ treatment. Earlier on Thursday before revealing that more tumors have been found on her brain and lungs, the reality star took to social media to share a video of herself doing yoga following the procedure.
In the caption of the short reel, Mellencamp simply penned, ‘first @hot8yoga since brain tumors.’
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Earlier on Thursday before revealing that more tumors have been found on her brain and lungs, the reality star took to social media to share a video of herself doing yoga following the procedure
Mellencamp has kept her fans on social media up-to-date on her health amid her skin cancer diagnosis in 2022.
After undergoing nearly 20 surgeries in the span of almost three years, the RHOBH star broke down in tears late last year in December as she expressed she finally got good news and would need to undergo another biopsy.
In October 2022, Mellencamp took to her Instagram account in order to reveal that she was diagnosed with stage II melanoma – the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
At the time, she uploaded a photo of her bandaged shoulder where the biopsy had taken place and called the shock diagnosis as a ‘wake-up call.’
In March of that year, she gave a special shout out to her close pal and RHOBH star Kyle Richards for noticing spots on her back.
‘She immediately took me to the doc who within minutes said it looks like melanoma and did a big removal…,’ Teddi recalled.
Two months after revealing her stage II melanoma diagnosis, Mellencamp gave a positive update and shared that her recent surgeries at the time ‘were successful.’
However, Teddi expressed weeks later that after undergoing her 4-6 week checkup, ‘there were three new spots my doctors felt needed to be biopsied.’
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After the procedure, she updated her fans three months later to show the vast difference of how her large scar had healed
Later in 2023, Mellencamp gave a devastating update and revealed that she was once again diagnosed with melanoma.
Mellencamp soon shared doctors felt that an excision area was too ‘broad’ and doctors did not recommend cutting and instead should undergo immunotherapy.
After trying the immunotherapy cream for almost two weeks, Teddi took to Instagram and penned, ”Melanoma Immunotherapy Update: It’s been 12 days since I started the immunotherapy cream on my shoulder, and sadly it has not blistered yet.
‘Blisters = it’s working,’ she wrote, adding that her doctors were ‘upping the dosage in the hopes that kicks it into gear.
‘Otherwise, we are going to have to take next steps – which is a full skin graft of my shoulder, taking the skin from my lower abdomen. Let’s just say I have never prayed so hard for some blisters.
‘As always, thank you for your love, support and sharing your own stories. This all gives me the strength to push through and continue to share mine.’
A few months later in December 2023, she emotionally revealed that the immunotherapy was unsuccessful – even after upping the dosage. The star eventually chose to go for the second option to have the wide excision surgery.
After the procedure, she updated her fans three months later to show the vast difference of how her large scar had healed.
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In the caption, she also got candid about having ‘anxiety’ when it came to her checks and also sent gratitude towards the support and care she has received
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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum has been battling skin cancer since 2022; pictured in December
In July 2024, Mellencamp took to her Instagram page to share graphic photos following melanoma surgery as she prepared to undergo her 16th procedure to remove the disease.
‘Thank you to everyone for all the love and support. To answer your main question: My next surgery is August 19th,’ she wrote. ‘This is #16, I think, and I keep fighting it so I am feeling more positive than a week ago.’
She also got candid about how the ‘the ups and downs of not being able to control what’s going on inside my own body’ was challenging.
Late last year in December, Teddi positively revealed good news and shared she did not need to undergo another biopsy. While sitting inside her car, the star said, ‘I just had a little cry, but it’s a good one.
‘It’s the first time in over two years I’ve gone in for my three-month check and not had to have a biopsy because I have another cancerous spot.’
She reflected how it had been ‘such a good feeling’ and revealed both she and her doctor looked at each other in shock upon discovering the news.
‘I’ll go back in March, stay diligent with my checks, and this should be a reminder to all of you guys, please, please, book your skin checks, book your mammograms, book your OB/GYN appointments, book your eye doctor appointments.’
In the caption, she also got candid about having ‘anxiety’ when it came to her checks and also sent gratitude towards the support and care she has received.
‘And if you need to get your skin checked but have yet to make an appointment… what are you waiting for?’ she encouragingly asked.