The Real Housewives of Miami star Guerdy Abraira has offered some insight into what Teddi Mellencamp is going through following her brain tumor surgery.
Teddi, 43, shocked fans last week when she revealed that doctors found multiple tumors on her brain and announced that she would be needing surgery to remove two of them followed by radiation at a later date to remove the other smaller tumors.
Guerdy, 47, is another Housewife who has been open about her health issues with the public and was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2023.
October 2024 marked her one year in remission after recovering from six surgeries and chemotherapy treatment, which led her to shaving her head.
When she heard about the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star's devastating diagnosis, Guerdy told DailyMail.com that her 'heart dropped.'
She immediately reached out to Teddi over Instagram, who replied with a 'heart emoji.'
Guerdy Abraira, a breast cancer survivor, spoke out about Teddi Mellencamp's recent tumor surgery exclusively with DailyMail.com
The RHOM star called Teddi a 'fighter' after having gone through a similar 'unpleasant journey'
Teddi, 43, shocked fans last week when she revealed that doctors found multiple tumors on her brain and announced that she would be needing surgery
'It was so fast and furious. It was so sudden that my heart dropped because I know anything to do with tumors and cancer, it's not a pleasant journey,' Guerdy told DailyMail.com in an interview that took place during the South Beach Wine and Food Festival on February 18.
'But she's a fighter and she's gone through so many health scares and so forth, and I'm glad to see that she's surrounded by family.
'What counts is that support system and to see that light at the end of the tunnel.'
Teddi was previously diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in 2022 and has had 17 melanomas removed over the past few years.
In a video posted on Teddi's Instagram story the day of her emergency brain surgery, she shared a glimpse inside the hospital room and who was there to support her, including her best friend Kyle Richards, Morgan Wade and ex Edwin Arroyave.
Edwin, 47, and Teddi were in the midst of divorcing after 13 years of marriage, but sources told DailyMail.com earlier this week that they had put their divorce on pause amid her health battle.
She was also joined by her stepdaughter Bella, 15, and children Slate, 12, Cruz, 10 and Dove, four.
Edwin provided an update to fans following her surgery, saying it 'went well,' but added that he's never seen her in 'so much pain.'
Teddi got a visit from her estranged husband Edwin Arroyave, who brought along their daughters to visit her in the hospital as she recovers from the grueling brain surgery
While Teddi recovered in the hospital, Edwin appeared to be taking care of all the parenting duties. He posted a snap from dinner with Bella, 15, Dove, four, and Cruz, 10
'She's finally getting some needed rest. I know she is so grateful for the outpouring of love,' he informed his followers.
Guerdy praised the RHOBH alum for sharing her story since she knows being open about health batters is 'not for everyone.
'You have to be very strong [and have] a strong mindset when you do something like [share your story publicly] and say, "I'm going to go forward with it,"' she noted.
'Obviously, for me, I just felt like it would be hypocritical for me to wanna share only the good and then when something bad happens, I retreat.
'So, for me, when I signed up for the good, it was also for the bad and the indifference.
'That was my way of dealing with it and it pushes you to really look at yourself in the mirror and to really hone in on the issues at hand.'
She went on to say that being part of the Housewives is a 'healing journey,' and even though there's a lot of 'bickering,' at the end of the day, 'it's a growth mechanism and a tool' and she's so 'thankful' to be part of the franchise.
Guerdy continued, 'I'm considering myself a thriver right now. After cancer, you see a lot of things different.
Guerdy told DailyMail.com, 'I'm considering myself a thriver right now. After cancer, you see a lot of things different'
'Mind you that I also had to do a forced medical menopause and I wasn't even at the age to be in menopause so my body's going through a lot of hormonal changes.'
She admitted that her hormonal changes are 'affecting' her relationship with her husband, Russell, but fans will have to wait to see how the dynamic plays out when the next season of RHOM comes out.
Season seven began filming in September 2024, but a premiere date has not been announced yet by Bravo.
The network did confirm that a new cast member will be joining, Stephanie Shojaee, when she made an appearance at Bravo Fan Fest in Miami in November.
She'll be joining returning cast members Guerdy, Larsa Pippen, Lisa Hochstein, Alexia Nepola, and Julia Lemigova.
Guerdy told DailyMail.com, 'I don't wanna get in too much trouble now, but I can say that it is very thirsty. I did not know Stephanie prior. I had heard about her before.
'Always thought she was such a bad boss... and she looks super confident and a go-getter just like me in business as well, so I saw that we could get along well.
'You'll have to watch and see to see if we actually do, but I do think she's an amazing, powerful woman.'
Guerdy said she would describe the upcoming season of RHOM as 'very thirsty'
Her friendship with Larsa Pippen, which has been rocky in the past, is 'definitely in a different place than it was last season,' she revealed
Guerdy said that she texted Larsa, asking her if she was OK, after hearing about Marcus Jordan's 'unfortunate' incident in which he was arrested for DUI and cocaine possession
As for her friendship with Larsa, which has been rocky in the past, she said that their relationship is 'definitely in a different place than it was last season.'
Larsa's ex Marcus Jordan was recently charged with cocaine possession, DUI, and resisting arrest after he was found on a train track in his Lamborghini in Florida.
Marcus, who is the son of acclaimed basketball star Michael Jordan, was arrested in the early hours of February 4 and booked into the Orange County jail after a night out.
His bond was set at $4,000 and he was pictured leaving jail around noon that same day.
He took to his Instagram to inform his fans afterwards, 'I appreciate everyone reaching out.
'I’m focusing on @TrophyRoomStore right now and won’t be making any comments on recent media stories and my personal life.
'I sincerely appreciate your concerns and thank you for your kind understanding.'
Guerdy told DailyMail.com that she texted Larsa after learning about the 'unfortunate' situation her ex had gotten into.
Guerdy hosted An Evening of Hydration & Libations with entertaining expert Paul Zahn on February 18 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel as part of SOBE Wine and Food Festival
'You know, it's unfortunate. I mean, we're all people at the end of the day and no one wants to see anybody do bad, at least I don't,' she shared.
'And so for me I did reach out to her like, "Hey, are you okay? Is everything okay?"'
On Tuesday, Guerdy joined entertaining expert and TV host Paul Zahn to host An Evening of Hydration & Libations with Icelandic Glacial Waters at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.
Drinks were provided by George Strait's Codigo Tequila and Villa Massa Limoncello to help kick off SOBE Wine and Food Festival.
Guerdy said of the event, 'It's Miami, it's amazing here the weather year-round, so to be able to host this and plus it raises money for FIU [Chaplin School of] Hospitality.
'I think it's a great cause and it's just an amazing opportunity for people to get together and enjoy all this amazing new products on the market and obviously being here with you, featuring these amazing libations with the Icelandic Glacier is incredible.'
