Teddi Mellencamp’s ex-husband, Edwin Arroyave, has stepped up to support her as she faces a challenging surgery. On Wednesday, February 12, Mellencamp, 42, revealed she would be undergoing surgery to remove multiple tumors from her brain, which had been causing severe headaches. Shortly after, Arroyave, 45, was by her side, offering comfort and encouragement.
In an emotional post on Instagram, Arroyave shared a picture of himself standing by Mellencamp’s hospital bed, where she had her arm around him as she prepared for surgery. “Jeremiah 17:14: Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise,” Arroyave wrote. “Lord, I lift up @teddimellencamp to You. You are the Great Healer, and I ask for Your healing touch upon her body. Restore her strength, renew her spirit, and let her feel Your comforting presence. Grant her peace, hope, and full recovery. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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Arroyave, who shares three children with Mellencamp, also posted a heartfelt video on Instagram Stories. In the clip, he explained that he would be staying with their daughter in the hospital room. “Are you gonna watch mama because she doesn’t like sleeping alone?” their daughter asked, adding if Mellencamp wanted to watch TV. Arroyave thanked their daughter for visiting, sharing a tender moment of their family bond.
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Mellencamp also took to social media to document the day leading up to the surgery. She posted an Instagram Stories update with her RHOBH co-star Kyle Richards and country singer Morgan Wade by her side, preparing for the procedure. “Here we go,” Mellencamp wrote as she revealed she would be heading to the operating room soon. Richards shared a touching photo of Mellencamp praying with the caption: “Love you @teddimellencamp 🙏🩷”
Earlier that morning, Mellencamp had shared a more detailed message, revealing that a CT scan had uncovered multiple brain tumors, some of which doctors believe had been growing for months. “For the last several weeks I've been dealing with severe and debilitating headaches,” Mellencamp explained. “Yesterday the pain was unbearable and required hospitalization.” She went on to say that two of the tumors would be surgically removed, while the remaining smaller ones would be treated with radiation at a later date.
Despite the seriousness of her condition, Mellencamp expressed gratitude for the support she was receiving. “I am blessed to be surrounded by my children, family, friends, doctors, nurses, and surgeons who are doing everything possible to get me back into better health,” she shared. As part of her pre-surgery preparations, she humorously posted a video of herself having her head shaved, calling it her “best look!”
Though Mellencamp filed for divorce from Arroyave in November 2023 after 13 years of marriage, the couple has remained close. They have continued to speak highly of one another, emphasizing that they remain good friends and supportive co-parents. In a post shared a couple of months after their split, Mellencamp praised Arroyave for everything he contributed to her life.
"16 years ago me and @edwinarroyaveofficial met," she wrote in a heartfelt anniversary post. "I will forever be grateful for that night at Coco Deville. I would never have known I wanted kids until meeting my amazing stepdaughter, Isabella." She went on to express her deep love for her stepdaughter, as well as their own children together. "My love for her changed my life and 5 years later came Slate, then Cruz, and then our miracle baby Dove in 2020," she continued. “I may be far from perfect, but being a mother has been the greatest gift you could have given me. Thank you always and forever.”
