Teddi Mellencamp, the former star of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”, commemorated the first anniversary of her brain surgery with a heartfelt message on Instagram. On Monday, she shared her emotional journey, detailing her unexpected diagnosis and the support she received throughout her treatment.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
On the anniversary of her surgery, Mellencamp reflected on a day that changed her life. “A year ago today I went into the ER thinking I had migraines and within 24 hours was having surgery on the plum-sized stage 4 tumors on my brain,” she wrote in her post. The 44-year-old expressed her mixed feelings of anxiety and gratitude, thanking the medical professionals who cared for her and acknowledging the love from family, friends, and fans.
“Trust your instincts. Get checked ❤️,” she urged her followers, emphasizing the importance of being proactive about health concerns. Her message resonated widely, with many fans offering words of encouragement in the comments, including fellow reality star Kyle Richards, who praised Mellencamp’s resilience.
Ongoing Health Challenges
Mellencamp was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in October 2022 and has undergone more than a dozen surgeries since then, including the emergency procedure in February 2025. By October 2025, she shared positive news that her stage 4 cancer was “gone,” but clarified that she was not yet considered “in remission.”
To manage her health, Mellencamp began immunotherapy, which her estranged husband, Edwin Arroyave, described as “really hard on her mental health.” He highlighted the significant emotional toll this health journey has taken on her, calling her internal struggle “one of the toughest ones” she faces.
Last month, Mellencamp opened up about her mental health during an episode of her podcast, “Two Ts in a Pod.” She discussed the challenges of processing her emergency surgery, the inability to see her children during treatment, and her recent divorce from Arroyave after 13 years of marriage. The couple shares three children: daughter Slate, 13; son Cruz, 11; and daughter Dove, 5.
In a recent appearance on Page Six’s “Virtual Real-Tea,” Mellencamp provided an update on her mental state, saying, “I think physically I’m in a good place… What we don’t often talk about when it comes to cancer is how you feel after all of the surgeries and all of the testing.” She continued, “How your mental state is doing — that has been suffering.”
Seeking help, Mellencamp has been engaging in therapy to cope with the emotional challenges stemming from her illness. “I’ve been working really hard trying to find that peace, find that happiness, find that joy. Find myself again,” she shared.
Teddi Mellencamp’s journey highlights the importance of mental health as an integral part of recovery, reminding her audience of the resilience required when facing significant health challenges. Her candid reflections continue to inspire many as she navigates her path to healing.
