Teddi Mellencamp Admits 'I Am Scared' amid Melanoma Treatment as Her Daughter, 11, Applies Immunotherapy Cream

The 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star shared a video clip of her daughter Slate putting immunotherapy cream on her shoulder

Teddi Mellencamp is showing her latest skin cancer treatment after being diagnosed with her thirteenth melanoma.

On Friday, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills  alum, 42, explained in an Instagram post that after her latest diagnosis, her doctor had given her the choice to undergo another excision surgery or try a less-invasive treatment option. Mellencamp opted for the latter, an immunotherapy cream that stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells.

"I was given the option of doing a surgery and having my entire right shoulder's skin removed and replaced with a skin graft or using this immunotherapy cream. My margins weren’t clear after my last surgery so this is what makes most sense. I chose the cream to start," she wrote, alongside a video clip showing her 11-year-old daughter, Slate, applying the cream to her mom's shoulder.

Mellencamp went on to explain that she was modifying her doctor's instructions to divide the affected area into three sections and treat them one at a time to avoid potential side effects.

"That’s not my style, that would have taken over 3 months. I want to beat this thing like yesterday, so we are treating the entire area now for the next 5 weeks," she continued.

She admitted she is feeling "scared" about what lies ahead as she faces her illness, but said she is determined to be strong. "I am scared, I am sad, but I am a fighter and have the most loving support system and for that I am so very grateful," she wrote, promising to keep her followers updated. "I will do my best to keep you all posted as the medication starts working and the changes I am feeling."

"As of now, I am just tired, anxious and have headaches, but this too shall pass," she added.

Mellencamp also gave a special shout-out to her daughter for tending to her so lovingly. "@slate_mellencamp_eq you are such a patient and loving caretaker. Mommy will never forget this," she wrote to the tween.

Related: Teddi Mellencamp Starts Immunotherapy Following Latest Melanoma Diagnosis

Last month, Mellencamp — who was first diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in October 2022 — shared more about her immunotherapy treatment plan. In a Sept. 30 Instagram post, she explained that after she attended an upcoming equestrian event, she would begin a five-week regimen with the cream.

She also outlined the possible side effects she could face during treatment. "Fatigue, inflammation, blisters and some pain but ya know what, it’s better than the alternative," she wrote, urging people, "Stay vigilant on getting your skin checked my friends. We can fight this.”

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The new treatment protocol comes after Mellencamp revealed on Sept. 13 that she had discovered a new melanoma on her back after having been declared cancer-free in December following surgeries over a period of eight months to remove 12 other melanomas.

“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,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “At this point, I am starting to black-out these memories like a portion of my childhood. I slept maybe 2 hours last night because my mind was racing.”

Related: After Having 12 Melanomas Removed, Teddi Mellencamp Is Cancer-Free: 'I'm So Grateful We Caught It in Time'

“I am so grateful for my 3-month checkup because we caught this one early. This means another surgery next week and additional biopsies,” she added.

Mellencamp told PEOPLE in December that her experience with the disease has inspired her to use her voice and encourage others to be vigilant when new spots appear on their skin and keep up with their doctor's appointments.

"Skin checks are essential," she said at the time. "We've seen how quickly it can turn from one melanoma to 12. So when your doctor says, 'See you in three months,' it's three months."

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