Teddi Mellencamp has revealed a meaningful new tattoo, a month after sharing an encouraging update on her stage 4 cancer battle.
On Thursday, the former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star posted an Instagram picture showcasing a new tattoo running down her spine. “Can you guess what my new tat says?” the 43-year-old captioned the image, mentioning it was part of a “family tat day.”
A close-up, since-deleted Instagram Story revealed the tattoo reads: “Life is short even in its longest days.”
This poignant phrase is a lyric from her father John Mellencamp’s 2008 song of the same name. “For my dad @johnmellencamp,” Teddi added to the Story.
The tattoo’s placement is also significant, as it runs vertically down her spine, covering a portion of the scar from a January 2024 surgery.
During that procedure, doctors removed a large melanoma-affected area from her shoulder and replaced it with a skin flap from her lower back.
The “family tat day” suggests Teddi wasn’t the only one getting inked. Tattoo artist @wyldwess shared an Instagram Story showing John Mellencamp, 73, also received a new tattoo on his wrist, though it’s unknown if it matches his daughter’s.
This new ink comes amidst Teddi’s ongoing battle with stage 4 cancer. She was initially diagnosed with skin cancer last year, and in February, she revealed the discovery of multiple brain tumors.
However, following surgeries and immunotherapy, she shared positive news last month, stating that her tumors had “significantly shrunk,” leading doctors to believe her treatment would be successful.
Earlier this year, Teddi also got matching tattoos with her close friend Kyle Richards, highlighting the support she’s receiving from both family and friends during this challenging time.
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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