Erika Jayne Reveals How Teddi Mellencamp Changed Post-Cancer Diagnosis

Teddi Mellencamp has changed in more ways than one following her stage IV cancer diagnosis.

Mellencamp, 43, has a new lease on life, one that Real Housewives of Beverly Hills costar Erika Jayne has taken notice of.

“I think I changed as a human being,” Mellencamp said about her life amid cancer on the Friday, June 20, episode of iHeartRadio’s “Diamonds in the Rough” podcast.

“Well, it’s so funny because your best friend and I had a long conversation about you this weekend,” Jayne, 53, chimed in.

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“Oh really, what’d y’all say? Am I going to be pissed?” Mellencamp asked.

“No. I said I think that you’ve softened your edges, and I see you being very caring, and I gave some great examples of how you were supportive of me during this time, this really hard time in your life,” Jayne responded. “And I said, I think that Teddi has uncovered a new level of … empathy.”

Mellencamp went on to say that one of the “weird” things about her life now is that she “gives hugs.” As for the reason why, she said, “I felt what it feels like to maybe never have another hug again.”

She agreed that she has been showing “a softer side” of herself since her health battle began nearly three years ago.

“You’ve grown so much during this period. And it’s really beautiful to watch,” Jayne added later on in the conversation.

Mellencamp first revealed she was diagnosed with stage II melanoma in October 2022. After the surgical removal of a dozen melanoma spots, she received clear margins from her doctors in December 2022. Just one month later, doctors found three more spots that needed to be biopsied as well as a lump in her neck.

She underwent multiple surgeries between December 2023 and December 2024 to have other melanoma spots removed. Mellencamp’s cancer metastasized, and she was diagnosed with multiple brain tumors in February after experiencing “severe and debilitating headaches” for several weeks. The reality star underwent surgery to remove multiple tumors from her brain that month.

“This fight is not over but that round has been won,” she wrote on Instagram on February 26.

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Mellencamp revealed doctors also found tumors in her lungs, along with multiple tumors that remained on her brain in March.

“The doctors are hopeful that immunotherapy will effectively treat them,” she shared on Instagram.

She had a positive health update to share with her fans in April, revealing that her tumors had “significantly shrunk” amid treatment despite her cancer now being classified as stage IV. The following month, Mellencamp happily celebrated Mother’s Day surrounded by her kids, Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove, 5, whom she shares with estranged husband Edwin Arroyave.

“The kiddos spoiled me,” she wrote in a May 11 Instagram Story. “Feeling so happy and blessed.”