The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp has shared an update on her health amid her battle with stage two melanoma.
Mellencamp, 42, revealed with fans on Instagram on Thursday that doctors have discovered a new melanoma spot on her back, which she says is her “12th or 13th one”.
Sharing a selfie and a picture of her scarred back, she wrote: “I have been debating whether I should even publicly talk about this or not, but then I remember how every time I post about skin cancer someone else is reminded to get checked.”
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“I found out late yesterday afternoon that the most recent spot biopsied is another melanoma.
I can’t even remember if this is the 12th or 13th one. At this point… I slept maybe two hours last night because my mind was racing,” she explained.
“I am so grateful for my three-month checkup because we caught this one early. This means another surgery next week and additional biopsies. As I lay here with tears in my eyes and worry, I know my kids will be up soon. I have a podcast at 10. Life goes on.”
Mellencamp encouraged others who might be in the same boat or struggling to write a list of things they’re ‘grateful’ for to stay positive and said she was doing the same.
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The mother-of-four added: “We have got this. Love to you all. We are not alone.”
One follower commented underneath: “Teddies you are a warrior thank you for sharing your journey you are in my prayers.”
A year ago the reality star, who is the daughter of singer John Mellencamp, revealed she was diagnosed with stage two melanoma.
“Melanoma awareness update. Despite my anxiety, I listened to the doctors and went in for my three-month skin check last week since my previous melanoma,” Mellencamp wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of a scar on her shoulder.
“They said I had another abnormal spot near my last one so they did a biopsy. I got the call this morning: Stage 2 melanoma.”
“Now, next Wednesday I go to an oncologist to have it cut out and come up with a game plan on next steps,” she revealed.
The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star says she believes the skin cancer was likely caused by her use of baby oil and iodine on her skin, which she did with the purpose of tanning when she was a teenager in the 1990s.
Mellencamp also said she never wore sunscreen or got her moles checked until she was 40.
Mellencamp has previously been open about her past experiences with melanoma, revealing that former castmate Kyle Richards actually took her to the doctor after she noticed Mellencamp’s skin changing colour.