John Mellencamp says his daughter, Teddi Mellencamp, is “really sick” as she fights Stage 4 cancer.
The 74-year-old rock legend shared the update during Wednesday’s episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience.”
At a Glance
- Teddi Mellencamp’s melanoma has spread to her brain and lungs
- She underwent emergency brain surgery and continues immunotherapy
- Recent scans show tumors have “significantly shrunk,” though she is not in remission
- Why it matters: The former reality star is openly documenting the emotional and physical toll of advanced cancer treatment
Father’s Frustration
“It’s not f—— fun,” Mellencamp told Rogan. “She’s got cancer in the brain, and she’s suffering right now.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer added that he wants the 44-year-old to leave California and return to Indiana during treatment. “I’m trying to talk her into moving back home,” he told the “TODAY” show on Friday.
He described her days as a mix of “good” stretches and times when she “feels like hell” after immunotherapy sessions.
Diagnosis and Emergency Surgery
Teddi Mellencamp revealed last year that her skin cancer had progressed to Stage 4. Doctors discovered tumors on her lungs and brain, prompting emergency brain surgery followed by radiation and immunotherapy.
Despite the grim prognosis, she recently shared encouraging news on Instagram: all scans showed the tumors had “significantly shrunk.” Her medical team believes she “will be healed if everything stays on course,” she wrote.
In October she told podcast listeners there was no detectable cancer in her body, yet stressed she is “not in remission.”
Family Conversations About Death
Teddi has publicly recounted her father’s blunt approach to her illness. On “Two T’s In A Pod,” she said he began discussing burial arrangements days after her metastasis announcement.
“Yesterday my dad calls 11 times in a row … he goes, ‘I just want to make sure that you’re going to be in our group family mausoleum,'” she recalled.
She has since clarified that the calls reflect his way of coping rather than surrender.
Life Amid Treatment
Even after brain surgery less than two weeks ago, Teddi attended her daughter’s birthday celebration. She continues to record her podcast and posts regular health updates to her followers.
She told listeners she is doing “a lot of therapy and resting” while grappling with “massive PTSD” from repeated treatments and uncertainty.
“I’m starting to feel a little better,” she said. “The cloud is lifting.”
Her team did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to News Of Philadelphia.
Key Takeaways
- John Mellencamp is publicly advocating for his daughter to relocate for support during cancer therapy
- Teddi Mellencamp balances treatment, parenting, and media commitments while sharing candid updates
- Recent scans show tumor reduction, but she remains under close medical watch and is not considered in remission
