Teddi Mellencamp, former cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, has revealed that her cancer has progressed to stage 4 after doctors discovered four new tumors in her brain. The 43-year-old shared the update via Instagram, where she has been chronicling her ongoing health battle.
"I woke up to so many kind messages," Mellencamp said in a video posted to her Instagram Stories. "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."
Mellencamp's melanoma, originally diagnosed in 2022, has metastasized to her brain and lungs. "I kinda thought that I had already beaten it," she admitted. "And then a couple days later, I found out I had four more tumors. So there's so many different highs and lows."
The latest update comes after she underwent immunotherapy and radiation on the same day for the first time on April 1. She said the treatment left her feeling "so tired and run down," while expressing cautious optimism about the treatment's effectiveness. She posted a photo of herself during a recent therapy session, writing that the treatment is "hopefully saving my life."
Mellencamp's diagnosis was elevated to stage 4 following the discovery of multiple brain and lung tumors earlier this year. She previously underwent surgery to remove four large tumors in February. "I have 3 more tumors in my brain and 2 tumors on my lungs," she said in a March 6 post. "These are all a direct result of my melanoma."
The American Cancer Society reports that stage 4 melanoma has a five-year survival rate of approximately 35%. According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 60% of patients with advanced melanoma may develop brain metastases, which significantly worsens prognosis.
Despite the grim statistics, Mellencamp remains hopeful. "I truly believe with my whole heart I will beat this and watch my kids graduate. Vent on the pod and have everyone get mad at me. Annoy my siblings by reminding everyone I am the favorite. Etc.," she commented in response to a fan who called her condition "terminal."
She added that she is focusing on rest, recovery, and listening to her body. "I'm just thinking about all the goals that I have for the future for myself and for my kids," she said.
Mellencamp has received public support from fellow Housewives stars including Tamra Judge, Dorit Kemsley, Kyle Richards, and Denise Richards. Her estranged husband Edwin Arroyave said she was "grateful" for the widespread encouragement following her February surgery.
