Former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Teddi Mellencamp made a powerful appearance at a gala in Los Angeles on Monday night.
This was her first formal event since sharing in February that her melanoma, a type of skin cancer, had spread to her lungs and brain.
In February, Mellencamp also revealed she had shaved her head to undergo surgery to remove the tumors in her brain.
At Monday’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund gala, she looked confident with her buzz cut, wearing a stylish all-black pantsuit and silver jewelry.
Earlier that day, she shared behind-the-scenes glimpses on social media as her glam team helped her get ready. A photo she posted showed the scars from her recent surgeries visible on her head.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Mellencamp reflected on the past 76 days since her diagnosis of stage 4 melanoma, which she learned about after experiencing severe headaches.
She revealed that multiple tumors “the size of plums” were found in her brain and lungs, and doctors believed the cancer had been there for many months without her knowing.
She shared that since her diagnosis, she has undergone multiple surgeries, dealt with side effects from medication, but also experienced joy and love from her family and friends.
Mellencamp admitted that seeing a photo of herself with her new surgical scars initially made her cry, especially alongside older scars from previous melanoma removals.
However, her sadness turned to peace as she felt the strong support from her loved ones and the outpouring of kindness from her online community.
She also found comfort in knowing her story could potentially help others.
She ended her message with words of encouragement, urging anyone experiencing unusual symptoms to get checked by a doctor and to advocate for their own health.
Just last week, Mellencamp shared positive news, announcing in a video that her tumors have “shrunk or disappeared.”
Doctors are optimistic about her treatment, and she hopes to be cancer-free after her remaining immunotherapy sessions.
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
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