Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp has opened up about prioritising her mental wellbeing alongside her physical health as she continues her fight against stage four cancer. The 44-year-old mother of three shared a candid update during Tuesday's episode of her Two T's in a Pod podcast with co-host Tamra Judge, revealing she has begun therapy to process the emotional toll of her diagnosis and treatment.
Therapy and Emotional Processing
Mellencamp disclosed that she has started therapeutic sessions, explaining that the process has been challenging. 'I started doing therapy, and it's taken its toll on me,' she told listeners. The media personality reflected on how her physical capabilities have changed since her diagnosis, noting particular frustration with her reduced mobility. 'I've learned that there are certain things... like it's hard for me to touch and move. I can see that I'm slower than I was before, and that's really frustrating to me. I want to be back to the way I was,' she admitted.
Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Journey
In February 2025, Mellencamp received the devastating diagnosis of brain cancer, requiring emergency surgery to remove large tumours. This development occurred as a result of her 2022 melanoma metastasising. The diagnosis came just three months after she announced her separation from husband Edwin Arroyave, with whom she shares three children: daughters Slate, 13, and Dove, 6, along with son Cruz, 11.
Mellencamp acknowledged the cumulative impact of her medical treatments, telling Us Weekly: 'I think [medications and immunotherapy] take a toll on my body, and I think that I also didn't properly process all of the things that happened when I had surgery.' She elaborated on the emotional backlog she's now confronting, stating: 'From my divorce to all of a sudden being in emergency surgery, to not being able to see my kids when I was recovering. I think all of those things are starting to finally hit me now.'
Current Health Status and Ongoing Fears
While Mellencamp revealed last October that her cancer had become undetectable following months of intensive treatment, she clarified that her situation remains serious. 'There's still no trace of cancer. But I'm still considered stage four and I'm still on immunotherapy, so essentially nothing's changed other than I still don't feel great,' she explained during the podcast episode.
The reality television star confessed to developing new anxieties as she processes her experience. 'Now that the storm has calmed a little, now I'm processing,' she shared. 'Now I'm starting to develop fear where I didn't have fear before.' When asked by co-host Judge about her primary concern, Mellencamp revealed: 'My biggest fear is that the cancer is going to come back.'
Family Support and Recovery Challenges
Mellencamp's father, renowned musician John Mellencamp, recently discussed his daughter's health on the Today show, describing her condition as precarious and urging her to return to Indiana for her recovery. The podcast host addressed her father's public comments, as well as remarks he made on Joe Rogan's podcast where he stated his daughter was 'really sick' and 'suffering.'
In an October Instagram post, Mellencamp expressed gratitude for her father's unwavering support throughout her medical crisis, writing: 'It's been 10 months since my brain surgery and I am so grateful to @johnmellencamp for continuously being there for me and my family the entire time. Love you so much, Cougs. Thank you everything.'
Addressing PTSD and Moving Forward
The mother of three has been focusing on her recovery through multiple approaches. 'I've been doing a lot of therapy, a lot of rest, a lot of hanging with the family,' she shared in a recent podcast episode. Mellencamp also disclosed that she's grappling with significant post-traumatic stress from her health ordeal. 'A lot of trying to get myself together because, apparently, I'm struggling with massive PTSD from everything that happened. I didn't really realize it, so I'm starting to feel a little better. The cloud is lifting,' she revealed.
Despite the progress, Mellencamp acknowledged ongoing challenges with independence and self-sufficiency during her recovery. 'I haven't even taken any Ubers by myself,' she noted, adding: 'I don't feel super self-sufficient.' The television personality expressed hope for continued improvement, stating: 'I [hoped] that I would be feeling better by now, but I really don't.' Her candid discussion highlights the complex intersection of physical and mental health challenges faced by cancer patients during treatment and recovery.
