Teddi Mellencamp Shares Emotional Update On Melanoma

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alum Teddi Mellencamp regularly shares her melanoma journey with social media. A new update, one she "didn't want to give," not only shares another chapter in her struggle but a clear message to others to continue to get checked.

Mellencamp has shared it all with her Instagram followers - the good, the bad, and everything. But regardless of the news shared, she always reminds others to remain vigilant and get their skin checked regularly.

The newest reality star's melanoma journey update included some sad news.

"Another update I didn't want to give but to be fully transparent and help others, here goes," she began her caption.

"I received the call yesterday from my doctor that not all the margins are clear after my last wide excision surgery. Because the area is so broad, they no longer feel comfortable cutting."

She explained that the doctor said she could wait a week to start treatment so she could "show up at nationals," but as soon as she's back, her 5-week treatment will begin with immunotherapy cream.

"'Immunotherapy is an anti-cancer treatment that uses the body's immune system to attack cancer cells. An immunotherapy cream called imiquimod (Aldara®) is a cream that stimulates the immune system.' Side effects include fatigue, inflammation, blisters, and some pain, but you know what, it's better than the alternative," she wrote. "Stay vigilant on getting your skin checked, my friends. We can fight this. ?"

Mellencamp's followers left words of support and love and shared their own experiences in the comment section of the post.

"I've used the cream many times on my superficial basal cells; I never had bad side effects besides it getting hideous. I always thought it wasn't used on melanoma, but it's good if they say it can be! Good luck!" one person shared. 

Another added, "My Mom did the cream for melanoma on her nose, and it was ? success rate. Other than blistering, it was well worth it. Good luck!"

One follower pointed out what Mellencamp's posts are doing for others. "You're saving women with each transparent post. Glad you're getting an immunotherapy and praying it works wonders. I was grateful to be on an immunotherapy trial. ?"

Just a few weeks ago, the podcast host shared an update about finding another melanoma and how she wasn't planning to talk publicly about it but remembered why it's so important to.

"I have been debating whether I should even publicly talk about this or not, but then I remember how every time I post about skin cancer, someone else is reminded to get checked," she wrote in the caption of her post.

"I learned late yesterday afternoon that another melanoma is the most recent spot biopsied. I can't remember if this is the 12th or 13th one."

While most of her followers support her through her journey, some have left negative comments. Mellencamp pointed that out in a recent Instagram post.

"I believe some of the messages on yesterday's post were, 'Disgusting, get a tan, you look like white bread.' So you know what I did? I put on a pair of shorts to show off my "white bread" legs going into Good Day LA this morning to discuss skin cancer awareness," she wrote.

"The more we talk about the dangers of tanning and its effects on our skin, the better. After the show this morning, I head in for yet another surgery."

Tons of support poured into the comment section.

"Yes! Let's normalize and honor our normal skin tones, especially those of us who are Fair. Yes," one person wrote. Another added, "Better to be white and pale than be sick or dead! The tan ones will be all wrinkled way before their time."