Teddi Mellencamp says life feels 'really devastating' as she claps back at critics at first red carpet since surgery - suong
Teddi Mellencamp has said her life feels 'devastating' as she talked candidly about her stage four cancer diagnosis during her first red carpet appearance since undergoing traumatic brain surgery.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, 43, joined her best friend Kyle Richards at the Women's Cancer Research Fund's annual gala, An Unforgettable Evening, on Monday night.
She shunned a wig in favor of proudly exposing her head scars from the multiple procedures she has undergone this year, looking stunning in a black suit and silver heels.
In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, she gave an update on her heartbreaking health battle, and hit back at critics who told her she should not be horse riding while undergoing treatment.
'This is my first night out since I got out of the hospital,' she said. 'I feel good. I know it feels really devastating right now, but everything – it gets better.'
In February, the podcast host revealed doctors had found 'multiple' tumors on her brain and lung after a skin cancer diagnosis she received in 2022 metastasised.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, 43, walked the red carpet without a wig, bearing the scars from her multiple brain surgeries this year
'This is my first night out since I got out of the hospital,' she said alongside best friend Kyle Richards. 'I feel good. I know it feels really devastating right now, but everything – it gets better'
Last night she revealed the tumors 'have shrunk a bunch' as a result of immunotherapy, and her doctors believe the treatment is working.
The reality star has one more session of the cancer treatment, which uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer cells, before her next big check-up on June 1.
Teddi said her kids have been 'so loving, so kind, and so funny' through it all.
'Whether it was good news or bad news, we all just try to be there for each other and find special moments that we can have,' she said about her 12-year-old daughter Slate, 10-year-old son Cruz, and five-year-old daughter Dove, whom she shares with estranged husband Edwin Arroyave.
'I know everyone says this, but I have really good kids,' she continued. 'Laughter has been a huge part of what makes it so much better.'
The wellness coach also shared how grateful she is for those who have supported her throughout, including her famous rock star dad John Mellencamp and her former Real Housewives costar Kyle.
However, the expert equestrian did take a moment to clap back at critics who felt it was too soon after Teddi's cancer treatment to get back on her beloved horse.
She said: 'A lot of people had issues when they saw that I was riding horses again and I am like, "I didn't do this without asking my doctor." I asked him and he said, "Teddi, you should be doing everything that you love right now."
Teddi, 43, exclusively told DailyMail.com that the tumors found in her brain and lungs 'have shrunk a bunch' as a result of immunotherapy
Teddi and her estranged husband, Edwin Arroyave, have paused their divorce proceedings amid Teddi's cancer battle. She filed for divorce in November 2024
'I know everyone says this, but I have really good kids,' she told us. 'Laughter has been a huge part of what makes it so much better.' Pictured, from left, son Cruz, 10, and daughters Slate, 12, and Dove, five
'If I don't feel good, I can say, "I don't feel good. I'm not doing it today." Or I can say, "You know what? I feel amazing. I'm going to go and kick a little a**."
'I love that love. I think that's exciting to be able to do anything I want now, and what is important.'
Although the TV personality has weeks to go until she receives an update on her immunotherapy treatment, she has been able to find a silver lining in how she has encouraged her fans to 'stay vigilant' when it comes to their own health.
'I was walking around [with] tumors for six months to a year without knowing,' Teddi recalled. 'I started getting migraines, I thought I was even going through menopause.
'The good thing is that other people are getting checked. I think that's the biggest thing. I didn't know a ton about melanoma or cancer in general until it personally affected me.
'The fact that I have a platform… It's something that more people are going in to get checks and so every time I get that message, I feel good about that.'
Teddi's appearance on the red carpet comes less than a week after she revealed that her tumors have shrunk significantly, marking one step closer to being cancer free.
'I just finished with all of my scans, and my tumors have significantly shrunk, which doctors believe means that this all will work, and that I will be back to myself, and feeling good,' she shared in a video posted to her Instagram.
Teddi recently shared in an Instagram video in which she revealed that her tumors have significantly shrunk, marking one step closer to being cancer free
In February, Teddi underwent emergency brain surgery and was given a '50-50' chance of survival
Teddi, who was initially diagnosed with melanoma in 2022, said she's grateful that her 'platform' has encouraged others to 'get checked' for melanoma
Although she was previously given a 'fifty-fifty' chance of survival, Teddi explained that she has two more sessions of immunotherapy, and 'then hopefully I am done, and I will be cancer free.'
Her positive news comes just weeks after a source close to the TV star confirmed she had drafted a will as she was facing the 'very real possibility' she may not be granted a 'miracle.'
'Teddi does now have a will. Everything she has will obviously go to her family and towards the care of her children,' the insider revealed.
'She is aware that there is a very real possibility that she will not make it through this.'
Her health battle saw her pause her divorce proceedings after she filed in November 2024.
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