Teddi Mellencamp Says She’s ‘Fighting the Hardest’ She Can as Her Cancer Battle Worsens and Doctors Find More Brain Tumors
Teddi Mellencamp is facing the fight of her life—and she’s meeting it head-on with honesty, strength, and even a little humor.
The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 43, revealed earlier this year that she’s battling stage 4 melanoma, which has spread to both her brain and lungs. She first began experiencing symptoms in early 2024, including intense migraines and vision loss, and a visit to the emergency room revealed the devastating diagnosis.
“They diagnosed me with multiple brain tumors,” Teddi told Us Weekly. “I had six brain tumors and two lung tumors; they all came from melanoma that metastasized.”
Teddi had already been managing melanoma since 2022 but said the stage 4 diagnosis hit her and her family hard. Despite recently announcing her separation from husband Edwin Arroyave, he has been by her side every step of the way.
“We put everything on hold. He’s been extremely kind and helping with the kids,” she said. The couple, who share three children, are currently living under the same roof.
Following her diagnosis, Teddi underwent emergency brain surgery to remove four tumors and began aggressive radiation and immunotherapy. “My reaction is always a headache, and I found out that’s good news because it means the treatment is working,” she said. While Teddi is known for her direct personality, she admits this journey has humbled her.
“There are some days where I feel confident and strong, and others where I want to wear a wig and cry,” she shared.
Her new pixie haircut—a result of cancer treatment—has even been embraced by her son Cruz, who sweetly told her they could match haircuts. Still, the emotional toll is heavy. Teddi says she’s chosen not to repeat her once-signature phrase, “Moms always come back,” to her kids because she doesn’t want to lie.
“They all know that I’m fighting the hardest I possibly can,” she said.
On top of her health struggles, Teddi is still managing life in the public eye. She said she’s received support from fellow Housewives Kyle Richards, Erika Jayne, and even Vicki Gunvalson, who sent her a Housewives coloring book (she’s not in it, Teddi joked). However, she noted that Garcelle Beauvais has not reached out.
Despite the challenges, Teddi is finding ways to maintain her sense of humor and stay hopeful. She’s been open about dating again and is using Hinge, though she says she’s still on the waitlist for Raya.
She’s also keeping her spirits up with family visits, workouts, and a renewed focus on what really matters: more time, more memories, and more laughter. “I want to try new things, travel more with the kids, keep building a life, and have fun together,” she said. “That’s my goal.”
Teddi will learn more about her treatment progress on June 1, but until then, she remains focused on the fight ahead—and living each moment fully.
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Olivia Davis is a Staff Writer at All About The Tea. Olivia’s hobbies include binging Netflix series, and watching Housewives on Bravo. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in History.
