- Teddi Mellencamp revealed in an interview with Nightline on April 10 that her doctors have told her she has a “50/50” chance of surviving her cancer
- “This is completely out of my control. And for the first time, I’m really scared,” she said
- The update comes after Mellencamp revealed last month that her melanoma had spread to her lungs and brain
Teddi Mellencamp revealed that doctors have given her a 50% chance of surviving cancer — but says she remains hopeful due to a key factor.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum — who shared in February that her melanoma had spread to her lungs and brain — sat down with Nightline for an interview which aired on Thursday, April 10. During the conversation, Mellencamp, 43, said that she is currently undergoing immunotherapy, and noted that this means thinking in terms of odds and percentages isn’t necessarily the most useful tool.
“I learned this isn’t the best question to ask if you’re doing immunotherapy, because immunotherapy has only been around 10 years,” she said, revealing that she was initially upset when her doctor told her that the therapy has a “50/50” chance of working.
“It’s one of my favorite things to ask: ‘How long I got? What are my chances?’ And they oftentimes say 50/50,” she continued, recalling that she responded: “50/50? I wouldn’t buy a car that’s only gonna drive 50% of the time. I don’t want this.”
“And [the doctor’s] like, ‘No, it’s only because that’s how long immunotherapy has been around so that’s how long the study has worked.’ So that’s when I then try to find the positive,” she added.
The reality star also noted that the situation has been especially challenging because she likes to have “control.”
“I really like to have control, and this is completely out of my control. And for the first time, I’m really scared,” she said with tears in her eyes.
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The mom of three also shared that she experiences emotional highs and lows, adding, “Sometimes I feel really strong and beautiful and like I can do anything, and sometimes I feel like this might be the lowest and the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
In a candid Instagram post on April 9, Mellencamp shared a photo of herself from four months ago next to a photo which showed her followers her recent treatment-related hair loss.
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“What a difference 4 months makes,” she captioned the post.
She added: “Sometimes I am so focused on ‘being strong’ that I forget I am allowed to be sad, cry it out, and feel very alone. I love my kids, friends, and family so much and am forever grateful to them but dang today is one of those days.”
The recent post and interview comes several days after Mellencamp confirmed that her cancer is now stage 4 in an April 2 Instagram post.
“I gotta tell you, some days I feel really, really strong and some days I feel really, really sad and alone,” she shared in an Instagram Stories video, after thanking her followers for their kind messages. “And I think that’s a normal part of what any of us are going through, and that’s okay. Stage 4 cancer can be scary.”
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