Teddi Mellencamp undergoes a quite painful procedure to address melanoma: Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave is recovering after undergoing a procedure to address her skin cancer.
The 42-year-old former cast member of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” shared an update on Instagram this past Wednesday.
“Procedure went well!” she wrote alongside a series of photos and a video from her hospital bed. “I underwent a ‘wide excision melanoma, soft tissue defect reconstruction with adjacent tissue rearrangement.’ Essentially, they removed a portion from my shoulder and utilized skin from the lower part of my back for reconstruction.”
She gives a thumbs up in one photo, while another reveals pink scars and blue markings on her back following the surgery.
“The overwhelming love and prayers I’ve received in the comments and DMs have truly touched me,” she expressed. “I genuinely wish I could respond to each one of you, but please understand my deep gratitude.”
In the video, Mellencamp mentioned she had recently come out of surgery and expressed appreciation for her medical team’s skillful work.
Nibbling on a saltine cracker and sipping soda, she humorously mentioned being on a “struggle bus,” noting the discomfort in her back was quite intense.
“I’m currently awaiting my transfer to the nursing facility,” she shared, emphasizing that enduring the pain and unease is all part of the healing process.
She emphasized, “Please have your skin examined. Trust me, you don’t want to experience this.”
Teddi Mellencamp’s Path Through Skin Cancer: A Timeline
Mellencamp has been transparent about her experience with skin cancer.
Earlier this month on Instagram, she revealed that her melanomas did not respond to immunotherapy treatment. She stated, “Despite undergoing immunotherapy for my melanomas, it wasn’t effective. I underwent a wide excision procedure on my latest melanoma last week, and unfortunately, it didn’t yield the desired results.” As per the American Cancer Society, immunotherapy is an approach that harnesses a person’s immune system to combat cancer by enhancing its ability to detect and combat cancer cells.
Mellencamp shared that she and her medical team have decided that the optimal next step involves undergoing surgery to address a more extensive portion of the affected area.
“I’m anxious about the procedure, especially going under, but I believe everything will turn out alright. I feel that this is happening to me so I can raise awareness,” she expressed.
Post-surgery, assuming everything goes well and the margins are clear, I’ll be closely monitored every three months,” Mellencamp shared. “In the midst of it all, I eagerly anticipate celebrating Christmas with my family and hope this serves as a reminder for everyone to schedule their skin checks in the upcoming year.”
Mellencamp disclosed her Stage 2 melanoma diagnosis on Instagram, stating, “The lesson here: when a doctor advises quarterly check-ups, heed that advice. I almost ignored it.”
Reflecting on her past habits, she shared, “As a teen in the ’90s, I’d often use baby oil and iodine for tanning, neglecting sunscreen and not checking my moles until I reached 40.” She continued, “This experience has served as a significant wake-up call for me, and I hope it resonates with all of you: cherish and safeguard the skin you’re in.”
What is melanoma?
Melanoma represents approximately 1% of all skin cancers but poses a greater risk due to its tendency to spread more aggressively. The American Cancer Society notes that it is responsible for a significant majority of skin cancer-related deaths. This form of cancer originates when melanocytes, the cells responsible for imparting the skin its tan or brown hue, begin to proliferate uncontrollably. In individuals with fair skin, melanomas commonly emerge on women’s legs and men’s chests and backs. Additionally, areas like the neck and face are frequent sites for its occurrence.
The American Academy of Dermatology highlights that skin cancer detection in individuals with darker skin tones frequently occurs at an advanced stage. Specifically, for Black individuals, skin cancer tends to manifest on areas of the body less exposed to sunlight, such as the soles of the feet, lower legs, and palms.
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