Teddi Mellencamp, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, candidly shared her struggles with severe anxiety as she undergoes immunotherapy for stage 4 melanoma. The 44-year-old reality TV alum turned to Instagram on Thursday, August 14, seeking advice from fans and followers on coping with the emotional side effects of her treatment.
In a heartfelt video post, Mellencamp asked, “OK for those of y’all who’ve gone through immunotherapy, did you have severe anxiety? Just on random days for no apparent reason?” She continued, “Like today I was able to walk, I did the podcast and now I’m just sitting here full of anxiety. Is this common? What are things that you guys have done to help make you feel better? Let me know. Looking for any positive advice.”
Mellencamp is currently in the midst of a challenging treatment regimen while continuing her fight against melanoma, which was first diagnosed in 2022. Since then, the cancer has metastasized to her brain and lungs, making her journey particularly difficult.
Last month, she spoke openly about the toll immunotherapy has taken on her body during the July 23 episode of her Two Ts in a Pod podcast, which she cohosts with Tamra Judge. “Essentially, what we figured out with me was, yes, I started out feeling great, and I could do all the pods and I could do all these things, and I could go to all my daughter’s horse shows and I could stay at my house by myself, and I felt really strong,” Mellencamp explained. “And what’s happening with me is the longer that I’m on immunotherapy, the sicker it’s making me.”
Her cancer battle has been both public and deeply personal. In February, she underwent surgery to remove multiple brain tumors after experiencing “severe and debilitating headaches.” By March, Mellencamp shared on Instagram that doctors had discovered “three more tumors in my brain and 2 tumors on my lungs,” adding, “These are all a direct result of my melanoma.”
Throughout her journey, Mellencamp has been transparent about both the physical and emotional struggles she faces. In April, she posted reflective photos of her surgery scars and hair regrowth following chemotherapy, admitting that she initially “cried” upon seeing them. She wrote, “It’s been 76 days since I went to the ER with unbearable headaches and quickly found out I had multiple stage 4 tumors ‘the size of plums’ in my brain and lungs. Melanoma had metastasized there and been there for ‘6 months to a year’ and we had no clue.”
She continued, sharing the emotional rollercoaster of her treatment: “Since that day, I have had multiple surgeries, had rage from the steroids, felt very sick, laughed a ton, ridden horses, loved on my kids and felt great. When I first looked at this picture, at the scars on my head and my arm, I cried. Then, I felt a warmness rush through my body and felt so much peace. Peace from the incredible support system I have in my family and friends. Peace from the outpouring of love from y’all on here. Peace in knowing my story could help somebody save their life.”
Mellencamp’s openness about the emotional and physical challenges of stage 4 melanoma has resonated with fans worldwide. By sharing both her struggles and moments of hope, she continues to shed light on the realities of living with cancer, inspiring others to seek support and maintain resilience even in the face of adversity.