Teddie Mellencamp is back in the saddle after undergoing brain surgery last month.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum shared photos and videos of herself riding her horse, Toad, and competing in an equestrian event via Instagram on Saturday, March 8.
“17 days in hospital. First ride in 4 weeks. I am so blessed,” she wrote over footage of herself taking part in a dressage event.
“Dear brain tumors. You tried to break my heart. You failed. I love life 2 much to waste more tears on you,” Mellencamp, 43, wrote over a photo of two show ribbons. She also thanked professional equestrians John Zambrano and Peter Lomabardo for “giving me the confidence and support to go back in the show ring.”
Mellencamp posted more footage from her day at the paddocks, sharing a video while she rode Toad and thanked him for being a “horse of a lifetime.”
“My baby boy would do anything for me. I would do the same for him. Horse of a lifetime. Toad thank you for making me feel alive,” she wrote over the clip, which featured Sonny & Cher’s song “I Got You Babe.”
Mellencamp recently underwent brain surgery on February 12 to remove multiple tumors, which produced “severe and debilitating headaches” for several weeks and had reportedly been growing for six months. In an update post-surgery, she shared photos from the hospital, as well as a CT scan, and revealed that four tumors were removed from her brain. She is now receiving immunotherapy and radiation.
“I have multiple tumors in my brain that weren’t able to be removed via surgery. I also have 2 tumors in my lung. These are all metastases of my melanoma,” Mellencamp wrote via Instagram on Thursday, March 6. “The doctors are hopeful that immunotherapy will effectively treat them. I am feeling positive — that I will win this battle, that I got this wig (I like the short hair, just not the bald spots), and that I can remember all of Angelina [Jolie]’s kids’ names. Now, as @bravoandy would say: with all due… f*** off, cancer!”
Earlier on Saturday, Mellencamp opened up about how horseback riding has helped her amid her cancer journey. (She was also diagnosed with stage II melanoma, a type of skin cancer, which was promptly removed in 2022.)
“I unknowingly rode with huge tumors in my brain for 6 months and those big ones are gone now. When you are sick or have cancer, your mental health is very important. I must keep going and give myself joy and goals,” Mellencamp shared via Instagram.
“I am going to always fight to be my best and find ways to smile and enjoy my life. Thanks for coming along this journey with me. I am in no place for negativity or discouragement.”
She also thanked her father, John Mellencamp, for believing in her and letting her know she “can do it.”
“Cried with happiness that I have your support,” she stated.
Following Teddi’s surgery, her estranged husband, Edwin Arroyave, shared an update on her health. (Teddi filed for divorce from Arroyave, 47, in November 2024. The pair share daughters Slate, 12, and Dove, 5, as well as son Cruz, 10.)
“So many people asking for updates. All I will say right now is surgery went well,” he wrote via his Instagram Story in February. “That said, I’ve never seen @teddimellencamp in so much pain. She’s finally getting some needed rest. I know she is so grateful for the outpouring of love.”
Teddi added in February, “As I move on to the next steps in my treatment, I just wanted to say thank you to everybody for the outpouring of love and prayers. I see them, and they’re definitely helping me stay strong.”
