Teddi Mellencamp Explains Her Most ‘Irrational Fear' Amid Cancer Diagnosis

By Sarah Tate

August 12, 2025

Photo: Getty Images

Teddi Mellencamp is navigating the fears that come with battling cancer, including some that even she believes are not rational.

During a recent appearance on The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum explained some of the worries she's had since receiving her stage 4 cancer diagnosis, per People.

Mellencamp noted that while death is "the most obvious" fear that someone in her position may have, she is currently most "fearful of feeling alone" in her battle. However, even she knows that feeling is "irrational" as she is surrounded by "so many friends and family" who are supporting her throughout her medical struggles.

"Some people aren't blessed with that," she said, adding that she needs to get the idea "out my head."

Mellencamp, who revealed she doesn't plan to return to RHOBH right now if ever, also shared how some of the effects from the various surgeries she's had during her cancer journey add to her decision to remain off the show.

"I feel like my words are a little stuttery sometimes and it doesn't mean I'm telling a lie," she said. "Some people have to relearn to talk after having these surgeries that I had. The fact that I can do as much as I can do, I'm so blessed for. But it still happens to me, and some days are very bad."

She worried that if she had moments where she was "stumbling word over word" that some people may misinterpret it as her "not being honest" when in reality she was "just struggling."

"And then them get the heat for it because how could you do that to someone that has cancer?" she said, adding, "I don't think it would be the best for the cast, and it wouldn't be the best for me right now."

Mellencamp's podcast appearance comes nearly a month after she shared a "heartbreaking" update following an emergency medical visit.

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