Michael Strahan’s 19-year-old daughter opens up about rehabilitation

Michael Strahan’s daughter Isabella has opened up about her agonizing recovery after undergoing brain surgery to remove a rare and fast-growing tumor.

The 19-year-old University of Southern California freshman was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in October after she began suffering from ‘excruciating headaches’ and was waking up vomiting every morning.

She underwent emergency surgery after she was diagnosed, followed by a ‘grueling month of rehab,’ which included re-learning how to walk.

In a series of videos posted a YouTube, the teenage daughter of Good Morning America host Michael Strahan detailed the brutal reality of the surgery.

Isabella Strahan (pictured) detailed her recovery after undergoing emergency brain surgery to remove a 4cm tumor

Isabella Strahan (pictured) detailed her recovery after undergoing emergency brain surgery to remove a 4cm tumor

The teenager had to undergo a month of rehab in the hospital, even having to re-learn how to walk in the wake of her surgery

The teenager had to undergo a month of rehab in the hospital, even having to re-learn how to walk in the wake of her surgery.

‘It’s been rough, it’s been challenging and it’s been very hard, but I know I’ll get through it,’ Isabella said in a YouTube video.

The budding model went on to describe some of the side effects she experienced after the surgery, which saw using a walker and a wheelchair to get around in the wake of having the 4cm tumor removed.

The college student said she was also very emotional following the surgery, which she put down to the steroids she was taking, and would ‘bawl’ whenever she met someone new.

Isabella also pointed out she’s been in New York recovering from her surgery for longer than she was at college, which was 68 days.

‘I’ll be back,’ she assured viewers. ‘Just taking a pause.’

The 19-year-old also had to undergo the egg freezing process, as the radiation and chemotherapy can effect her fertility.

‘That was not fun for me,’ she admitted. ‘I am not a big needle person so this whole experience… I’ve gotten used to my blood and IVs but shots? That was rough.

‘Basically [it] was three shots in my stomach, hurt so bad, that was every day for maybe a week.’

Isabella appeared on Good Morning America last week with her father Michael, revealing her devastating diagnosis

Isabella appeared on Good Morning America last week with her father Michael, revealing her devastating diagnosis

The college freshman said she was looking forward to going back to college, joking she's even jealous of her twin sister, Sophia, sitting her finals

The college freshman said she was looking forward to going back to college, joking she’s even jealous of her twin sister, Sophia, sitting her finals

The 19-year-old also had to undergo the egg freezing process, as the radiation and chemotherapy can effect her fertility (pictured with her twin sister, Sophia, in hospital)

The 19-year-old also had to undergo the egg freezing process, as the radiation and chemotherapy can effect her fertility (pictured with her twin sister, Sophia, in hospital)

The teen then underwent her egg retrieval on Thanksgiving day – explaining that she went home after the procedure, ‘slept for six or seven hours’ then got up and celebrated the holiday surrounded by her family.

Isabella started radiation treatment after Thanksgiving, and a week after she started she decided to shave her head.

‘So I cut my hair probably I would say like the end of the second week,’ she recalled, adding it was around ‘4am’ when she decided to get rid of it all, joking that she went through a ‘mid-life crisis’.

‘It started to thin and just kind of fall out… I couldn’t even like look at myself because of just worse than probably not having hair.’

‘It’s definitely sad,’ she continued, adding she had more or less been growing it for 18 years.

‘Because [I] don’t really cut my hair.’

Isabella said she had a wig, but was more comfortable without it.

‘It’s just not my hair,’ she said simply. ‘It does looks really similar [though].’

Despite facing six months of chemotherapy, which she will undergo at Duke University where her twin sister, Sophia, is studying, Isabella is positive about what is ahead – saying it’s nice to have homecooked meals and be around her dogs.

Isabella started radiation treatment after Thanksgiving, and a week after she started she decided to shave her hair

Isabella started radiation treatment after Thanksgiving, and a week after she started she decided to shave her hair

Isabella is positive about what is ahead - saying it's nice to have homecooked meals and be around her dogs. She is pictured here at Thanksgiving with Michael and Sophia

Isabella is positive about what is ahead – saying it’s nice to have homecooked meals and be around her dogs. She is pictured here at Thanksgiving with Michael and Sophia

The college student admitted she was excited about returning to normal life eventually.

‘Like I can’t really go to school right now, obviously, and [it’s crazy] how much I wish I [could] take her [Sophia’s] final exam or like just go back to school,’ she said wistfully. ‘But that will change.’

Isabella first revealed her diagnosis to the world in a Good Morning America segment last week, where she appeared with her father, Michael.

Isabella’s doctor Dr. David Ashley also appeared on GMA, explaining although the type of tumor was ‘incredibly rare’ –  with fewer than 10 cases a year in patients her age – her prognosis was good.

‘There are four types of medulloblastoma, and Isabella has what’s known as a WNT subtype of this,’ Dr Ashley explained on GMA.

‘Patients have 90 per cent plus survival rates beyond five years and the majority are completely cured.

‘With Isabella, I’m very optimistic that her outcome will be terrific. She is doing fabulously.’ 

 

Related Posts

Breaking: Hospital Locked Down After Active Shooter Report

Early Thursday morning, Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital, located 24 miles north of Detroit, was thrust into chaos following reports of an active shooter on the premises….

A Woman’s Large Breasts Indicate That Her Vag.…See more

A Woman’s Large Breasts Indicate That Her Vag…See more If when you make love, your partner DOESN’T KISS YOU it’s because… See more This image is a…

ATTENTION to these first signs of…See More

ATTENTION to these first signs of…See More What started as a small sting turned into a horrifying medical emergency. This terrifying image shows a hand severely swollen…

2 killed in fighter jet crash as aviators from California…see more

Evans participated in the historic all-female flyover at Super Bowl LVII in 2023, commemorating 50 years of women in naval aviation. Evans is well-known for her exceptional…

I Offered a Homeless Woman Shelter in My Garage, but One Day, I Entered Unannounced and Was Shocked by What I Saw Her Doing

When a wealthy, emotionally distant man offers shelter to Lexi, a homeless woman, he’s drawn to her resilience. Their unlikely bond begins to grow — until the…

My Ex-Husband Left Me for Another Woman, Then Returned with a Request I Never Expected

I was packing my things, ready to finally move in with the man I love. A sudden knock on the door changed everything. That was my ex-husband,…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *