'RHOBH' Alum Teddi Mellencamp 'Scared' As She Begins New Cancer Treatment
By Melanie VanDerveer on October 13, 2023 at 11:39 AM EDT
"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alum Teddi Mellencamp has been transparently sharing her melanoma journey with her social media followers for a while.
A week ago, she shared the information that, "not all the margins are clear after my last wide excision surgery." She explained that because of the size of the area, doctors do not feel comfortable cutting, so she needed to start a five-week immunotherapy cream treatment. As she started the treatment, she shared some more information about her experience with her followers.
Teddi Mellencamp Started Immunotherapy Cream Treatment For Melanoma
A new Instagram post gives a look into the former reality star's treatment and gives an update on what's going on.
"I was given the option of doing surgery and having my entire right shoulder skin removed and replaced with a skin graft or using this immunotherapy cream. My margins weren’t clear after my last surgery so this is what makes most sense," she said in the caption of her video.
"I chose the cream to start, my doctor recommended I do it in 3 sections because of the potential side effects. That’s not my style, that would have taken over 3 months. I want to beat this thing like yesterday so we are treating the entire area now for the next 5 weeks."
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The podcast host went on to explain how she's feeling, shoutout her daughter Slate for her help, and give another reminder for others to "go get checked."
"I am scared, I am sad but I am a fighter and have the most loving support system and for that, I am so very grateful. I will do my best to keep you all posted as the medication starts working and the changes I am feeling. As of now, I am just tired, anxious, and have headaches but this too shall pass," she wrote. "@slate_mellencamp_eq you are such a patient and loving caretaker. Mommy will never forget this. Please insta friends. Go get checked. Take action. Lots of love. ❤️"
The video shows how her daughter is helping her out. "Nurse Slate, always to the rescue," Mellencamp said while Slate applied the cream to her back.
Many of Mellencamp's followers take to the comment section to leave words of encouragement for the reality star.
"You are strong and you will beat this, 🙌🏻" one follower wrote. Another added, "Thank you for sharing this for awareness. I truly hope your side effects are not too bad and manageable."
Teddi Mellencamp Has Been Sharing Her Melanoma Journey In The Hopes Of Helping Others
Mellencamp has been transparent with sharing her personal experience in the hopes of helping others to recognize the signs and symptoms of melanoma and reminding everyone to schedule a skin check with a dermatologist.
In May, Mellencamp shared that she partnered with the Melanoma Research Foundation as the 2023 #GetNaked campaign spokesperson after being diagnosed with Stage 2 melanoma. Mellencamp posed naked for a billboard in Times Square to help get the word out on prevention and awareness.
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"Beautiful photo to spread awareness and a good reminder that cancer does not discriminate ❤️," one follower wrote. Another said, "Booked our first skin check appointments for Chris, myself, and the girls - all thanks to you, Teddi. 👏❤️ 👏"