TEDDI Mellencamp’s brain surgery recovery could be a ‘years-long’ battle – but the RHOBH alum is staying ‘determined’ and ‘optimistic,’ a source exclusively told The U.S. Sun.
The daughter of music icon John Mellencamp was rushed to the hospital last week after “multiple tumors” were found on her brain – leading to “unbearable” pain.
Teddi, 43, underwent surgery in a Los Angeles hospital for some of the masses – while the smaller tumors will be treated with radiation at a later date.
As the accountability coach continues to recover, medical professionals have warned there could be a long road ahead.
An insider told The U.S. Sun: “Doctors have told her this will be a long-term recovery process.
“The recovery length is dependent on a lot of ‘to be determined’ factors but doctors have been upfront this could be a years-long battle.
“In terms of the ‘normal’ she was before the surgery, that can take 6 months to a year minimum.
“She is going to need physical therapy to relearn how to use certain motor functions, including fully learning to walk again, and that will be for at least a few months.”
According to the Duke University School of Medicine, patients who undergo brain surgery experience three various timelines of recovery – post-surgical which are the immediate days after the procedure, the healing and rehab stage which occurs in the following months and the long-term recovery, which is a complex years-long process.
The center states that in addition to physical therapy, some patients who have endured brain surgery also need occupational therapy and speech therapy.
Despite the hardships, the source said that Teddi is staying “determined and optimistic” and will “work harder than anyone to get back to where she was.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Teddi’s rep for comment.
‘UNBEARABLE PAIN’
On February 13, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star told her fans about her health journey after she had been suffering “severe and debilitating” headaches for weeks.
Doctors believe her tumors have been growing for six months after the “unbearable” pain forced her to seek help.
RHOBH’s Teddi Mellencamp uses mobility scooter during walk with Kyle Richards after she ‘fractured’ her foot in accident
She stated in an Instagram post: “Yesterday the pain was unbearable and required hospitalization. After a CT scan and MRI, doctors found multiple tumors on my brain, which they believed had been growing for at least 6 months.
“Two of the tumors will be surgically removed today – the remaining smaller tumors will be dealt with via radiation at a later date.
“I am blessed to be surrounded by my children, family, friends, doctors, nurses, and surgeons who are doing everything possible to get me back into better health.
“Thank you everybody who has reached out, and to everyone who has supported me along this journey.”
Teddi, who had her long hair shaved off in hospital, shared pictures of herself in a gown from her bed as she prepared for surgery.
She assured her fans that she had faith in the surgeons operating on her and shared the words of wisdom her famous rocker father gave her.
She wrote: “As my dad said this am, god only gives hard stuff to those of us who can handle it. It’s a hard day but I have faith and amazing surgeons and know everything will be ok.”
She is by far the strongest person I know.
Justice Mellencamp
Teddi’s siblings have provided updates after the surgery – and her sister Justice said how it has been “horrific” to see her suffer through the pain.
Sharing a somber photo on social media, Teddi can be seen in the hospital bed hooked up to tubes and monitoring devices.
“Watching a loved one suffer is horrific,” Justice penned in the caption.
“I’ve tried to get back to everyone who has reached out & I know Teddi will share her journey when she is ready.
“She is by far the strongest person I know. So many emotions as I travel home today but her village is the best one I’ve ever seen and I’m so grateful for them.”
Teddi faced another health blow in 2022 when she was diagnosed with skin cancer.
The stage 2 melanoma on her shoulder was successfully removed and skin from her back was used to cover up the wide excision.
