John Mellencamp ‘very emotional’ over daughter Teddi Mellencamp’s cancer battle: ‘He’s always there’
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Teddi Mellencamp’s father, John Mellencamp, has been a pillar of support amid her devastating brain cancer diagnosis.
A source close to the family shared that the singer immediately rushed to her side, shifting into “rescue mode” to ensure she had everything she needed.
John Mellencamp struggles to stay strong amid fear and pain
Despite her being an independent adult with children of her own, John Mellencamp remains protective, seeing her as “still his baby girl.”
“They’ve had their ups and downs, but he’s always there when she needs him, and this time was no different,” the insider revealed, according to In Touch.
The source added that while John has remained composed for Teddi’s sake, he has been “very emotional” behind the scenes.
Before her surgery, he was “understandably terrified,” but he concealed his fear to reassure his daughter.
“He kept telling her that the surgery would go well and she’d come out better than ever,” said the insider.
While Teddi did pull through the operation, the aftermath has been painful.
“She’s been in horrible pain since then, which is very hard for John to see,” the insider added.
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"He can’t wave a magic wand or write a check to take her pain away. All he can do is make sure she’s getting the best care and be there to hold her hand,” the source noted.
Teddi Mellencamp’s battle intensifies with new tumors
Teddi Mellencamp, 42, was rushed to the hospital on February 11 after experiencing severe and debilitating headaches for weeks.
On February 12, she shared on Instagram that a CT scan and MRI revealed multiple tumors on her brain, which doctors believed had been growing for at least six months.
She underwent surgery to remove two of them, with radiation planned for the smaller ones.
Following a 16-day hospital stay, Teddi returned home but soon shared another devastating update.
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On March 6, she revealed that three additional tumors had been found in her brain, along with two in her lungs, all stemming from her melanoma diagnosis.
However, her doctors remain “hopeful” about treating the new growths through immunotherapy, according to OK Magazine.
Friends and family rally around Teddi Mellencamp
Amid her health crisis, Teddi Mellencamp has received an outpouring of support from friends, including 'Real Housewives' stars Kyle Richards and Tamra Judge, as well as singer Morgan Wade and her estranged husband, Edwin Arroyave.
Despite announcing their divorce in November 2023 after 13 years of marriage, Edwin Arroyave rushed to Teddi Mellencamp’s side with their children, Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove, four.
Arroyave shared a heartfelt Instagram post on February 13, praying for her recovery and expressing his ongoing support.
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In the caption, Arroyave wrote, "Jeremiah 17:14: Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise."
"Lord, I lift up @teddimellencamp to You. You are the Great Healer, and I ask for Your healing touch upon her body," he added.
"Restore her strength, renew her spirit, and let her feel Your comforting presence. Grant her peace, hope, and full recovery. In Jesus' name, Amen," he shared at the time.
