Michael Strahan’s 19-year-old daughter Isabella was left in tears today while revealing that she has had to undergo a third emergency brain surgery amid her cancer battle – in a devastating twist that came just two days after she celebrated her chemotherapy treatment being reduced.
The University of Southern California freshman was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in October after doctors found a tumor ‘bigger than a golf ball’ growing at the back of her brain, which caused her to suffer ‘excruciating headaches’ and vomiting.
Isabella has since been documenting her cancer battle on her YouTube channel, where, just days ago, she wept tears of joy while revealing that doctors had told her she would only need to undergo two more rounds of chemo, instead of four as they had originally expected.
But the teenager has now been faced with another heartbreaking hurdle in her health journey, candidly revealing to her followers that she has suffered another ‘major setback’ in her treatment.
Isabella, who was in her freshman year at USC when she was diagnosed with brain cancer, explained that she had to undergo another agonizing craniotomy surgery, just over one month after she had another emergency procedure to drain fluid from her head.
Michael Strahan’s daughter Isabella broke down and began ‘hysterically crying’ as she revealed she had to undergo a third emergency brain surgery
The University of Southern California freshman was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in October
However, now, the 19-year-old has once again shared a health update – this time telling viewers about the ‘major setback’ she had in her treatment
She bravely opened up about her experience of rushing to the hospital with a 104-degree fever in the clip shared online.
The video begins with her and her GMA host dad Michael and her headed to the hospital.
While laying in the hospital, Isabella revealed that she had to come back to the emergency room after she began running an extremely high fever.
‘Oh my god, are those my tears on my shirt? I started hysterically crying because I needed to get an IV and I haven’t had an IV in so long. They’re giving me fluids right now and antibiotics,’ she said as she pointed out the tear stains on her T-shirt.
The clip then cut to scans of Isabella’s brain as the 19-year-old revealed she had to undergo a ‘little procedure’ – the same surgery that she’s had to undergo in the past, however this time she shared that she was ‘completely awake’ while it was being carried out.
She added: ‘So they did a little procedure. I’ve had this one before. They stuck a needle in three spots and drain fluid and I was completely awake for this. My first completely awake surgery. ‘
Isabella also revealed she had to have a craniotomy – which is a procedure in which a piece of the skull is removed to show the brain – which she has had to undergo a total of three times now, with the second time being just one month ago.
And while her second craniotomy left ‘screaming’ in pain, the college student noted that this time around wasn’t as bad.
She bravely opened up about her experience rushing to the hospital with a 104-degree fever in the clip shared online
While laying in the hospital, Isabella revealed that she had to come back to the emergency room after she began running an extremely high fever
She explained: ‘It’s not as bad as the first time but I’m really in pain. They do give me pain medicine…they don’t work that well on me. So I’m in a lot of pain.
‘My head really really hurts right now. Not gonna lie, I’ve been crying a lot. I’m in a lot of pain. It’s not as bad as last time… my face isn’t as puffy but it literally hurts to do anything. ‘
Isabella noted that in addition to not being able to move around much due to the IVs attached to her, she also had been struggling with her appetite.
She added: ‘I haven’t really eaten much in the past three or four days, kind of nothing. It’s really bad but I just can’t really eat and I’m also not hungry.
‘There’s ups and downs to this because I was eating so much a week ago and now I can’t eat anything. I’m in a down right now.’
Isabella’s friends and family visited her to show their support during her seven-day stay, however just two days after being released, the 19-year-old was back in the emergency room.
She said: ‘I’m back in the hospital two days later. Don’t be worried, we just don’t know what’s wrong. I was just having shortness of breath.’
The clip then cut to scans of Isabella’s brain as the 19-year-old revealed she had to undergo a ‘little procedure’ that she has had before
In the clip, Isabella showed her ‘painful’ bruises and the IV she had to get in her
Isabella was finally able to head home in hopes of relaxing, however she received extremely upsetting news on her way out, adding that her chemotherapy treatment end date has now been pushed back a month
The teen attempted to keep her spirits high by sharing snaps of herself in the hospital bed as she showed the various bruises she has.
Later that evening, Isabella was finally able to head home in hopes of relaxing, however she received extremely upsetting news on her way out, adding that her chemotherapy treatment end date has now been pushed back a month.
‘I did have my third craniotomy — second of just draining fluid — and I feel a lot better now. I haven’t had a fever. I went to the ER because I was having trouble breathing but I was out that night.
‘Yes, I only have to do two rounds of chemo, but it’s still gonna be three months. So I wasn’t very happy about that. I was just bawling my eyes out because it’s just so disappointing when you’re like, “Yes! I can finish by May!” And then everything changes because of a stupid head infection. So now I’ll be done a little later than I wanted to, but oh well,’ she said at the end of the clip.
Just two days ago, Isabella shared ‘extremely happy’ news and revealed her intensive treatment plan appears to be working and she just had to complete two more rounds of therapy before the end of May.
Isabella broke down in tears after she revealed her chemotherapy had been cut short
The 19-year-old has once again candidly opened up in more detail about her ongoing battle and shared the ‘extremely happy news’
The clip began with Isabella fighting back ‘happy tears.’ She said: ‘I’m like happy these are happy, these are happy tears, I’m not going to cry it’s not even considered crying. It’s happy tears.’
She added: ‘My doctor just called me and told me I only have to do two more rounds of chemotherapy, I only have to do two more!
‘This is the biggest thing, I’m so happy.’
The 19-year-old explained that she was originally set to finish up all of her treatments in July and would have a late start going back to school.
However, she revealed that she would be finishing up in May and would get top heal over the summer.
‘I’ll be done in May and I can kind of try to have this summer to feel better and I’m so happy because I thought I would be done at the end of July because I was supposed to do six rounds,’ she added.
Later on in the clip, she shared that she was ‘extremely happy’ because her sister Sophia surprised her with a visit.
The two sisters embraced – with Isabella noting that she thought her sibling was just ignoring her.
The 19-year-old explained that she was originally set to finish up all of her treatments in July and would have a late start going back to school
However, now she revealed that she would be finishing up in May and would get top heal over the summer
Later on in the clip, she shared that she was ‘extremely happy’ because her sister Sophia surprised her with a visit
At the end of the clip, Isabella donned a pink wig and took fun snaps with Sophia.
Two weeks ago, Isabella has finished her second round of chemotherapy – and opened up about leaning on support from a fellow brain cancer patient and LSU football player who ‘inspires’ her.
She also begged fans to ‘pray’ for Greg Brooks Jr., who is also suffering from the same form of cancer as Isabella, as the two have been finding strength by communicating with each other ‘every day.’
The clip began with Isabella laying in the hospital bed as she ices both her hands and feet before doctors accessed her port – an implantable device that delivers chemotherapy drugs into your bloodstream.
‘We’re at Duke now and guess what we’re doing. We’lam bang cap 3 gia re (dichvubangcap24h.com) icing my feet and my hands,’ she said at the beginning of the video.
Then, Isabella moved to a different room of the hospital as she underwent her second round of chemotherapy.
The two sisters embraced – with Isabella noting that she thought her sibling was just ignoring her
Isabella previously revealed that she had finished her second round of chemotherapy
She shared an update before begging fans to ‘pray’ for Greg Brooks Jr., who is also suffering from the same form of cancer as Isabella
As the nurse accessed her port, which was located in the 19-year-old’s upper chest, Isabella squeezed a stress ball as the needle was inserted.
She stayed strong throughout the procedure and noted: ‘It feels fine. You could just feel the needle hit the skin.
‘It doesn’t hurt at all! Everything feels nice.’
Isabella revealed she only had four more months of chemotherapy treatment to go as she finished up her second round.
She noted that she and her family celebrated the end of her second round of treatment by decorating her window and making a taco salad.
Isabella also showed off the drawings she made, which were adorned with multiple flowers and even Monsters Inc. character Mike Wazowski.
After completing her second cycle of her chemotherapy, Isabella showed off the sweatshirts she and her family were wearing, which were emblazoned with snaps of LSU football star Greg and said, ‘Pray for Greg Brooks Jr.’
As the nurse accessed her port, which was located in the 19-year-old’s upper chest area, Isabella squeezed a stress ball as the needle was inserted
She noted that she and her family celebrated the end of her second round of chemotherapy by decorating her window and making a taco salad
Isabella revealed she only had four more months of chemotherapy treatment to go as she finished up her second round
She explained that Greg has been suffering from the same form of cancer as her and was diagnosed just a month before she was.
Isabella added that she and the athlete have remained in contact every day and she has even become close with his family as they lean on each other during this difficult journey.
‘We’re on the same treatment schedules. We keep in touch every day and he’s really inspiring. He’s the one I keep very close touch with and I can’t wait to meet him in person one day. He’s the sweetest and his family, they’ve helped me.
‘I just finished my second cycle of chemo, he just finished his second cycle. We’re making it through together. Fight on. Please just pray for Greg because he’s so sweet,’ she added.
Just a few weeks ago, Isabella revealed she was undergoing her second craniotomy – which is a procedure in which a piece of the skull is removed to show the brain – five months after her first.
Isabella also showed off the drawings she made, which were of multiple flowers and even Monsters Inc. character Mike Wazowski
After completing her second cycle of her chemotherapy, Isabella showed off the sweatshirts she and her family were wearing, which had snaps of LSU football star Greg
Isabella added that the athlete and her have remained in contact every day and she has even become close with his family as they lean on each other during this difficult journey
The 19-year-old got vulnerable with viewers as she opened up about her fears going into the surgery.
She said: ‘I’m actually very nervous. I’m more nervous for this one because it’s not like my brain that they’re messing with, it’s not as deep… but I’m curious as to what recovery would look like.
‘I’m not excited at all. I’m actually kind of nervous. Yay. How lucky am I to get another brain surgery.’
Isabella explained that doctors would be cutting open the scar to drain the fluid.
It came after her 52-year-old father Michael, who is host on Good Morning America, revealed that she was in back in the ER following a ‘rough setback’ after she started chemotherapy treatment.
Isabella explained that she was forced to go to the ER twice because she was suffering from an over 102-degree fever.
She ultimately had to have emergency surgery to drain the fluid from her head.
Since first opening up about her diagnosis on the morning show, Isabella has been documenting her journey on her YouTube account, where she has racked up more than 21,000 subscribers.
Just a few weeks ago, Isabella revealed she was undergoing her second craniotomy – which is a procedure in which a piece of the skull is removed to show the brain – five months after her first
The 19-year-old got vulnerable with viewers as she opened up about her fears going into the surgery
She ultimately had to have emergency surgery to drain the fluid from her head
Her father added of her decision to be so open about it online, ‘She’s [doing it] in the hopes that other people with the same diagnosis will feel supported and know they are not alone.’
Isabella has previously opened up about some of the terrible symptoms she has endured as a result of her chemotherapy.
At the time, she said ‘everything’ hurt and it felt like she was ‘having a heart attack.’
‘My eyes are strained, they hurt to look to the sides. My whole mouth feels like I got one giant root canal,’ she continued.
Since first opening up about her diagnosis on the morning show, Isabella has been documenting her horrific journey on her YouTube account
‘Every single tooth, just ripped out and not even surgically put back in. My jaw hurts, the bottom of my tongue hurts. It hurts when I gulp water.’
Isabella explained on GMA in January that she started suffering from ‘excruciating headaches’ during her freshman year in college.
‘I noticed something was off since probably September,’ she shared. ‘Like October 1, that’s when I definitely noticed headaches, nausea, [I] couldn’t walk straight.’
Initially, Isabella said she mistook her symptoms for vertigo. Michael confessed that when his daughter shared her symptoms with him, he never considered that they might be indications that she was battling cancer, particularly because she was just 18 and was so ‘young, strong and healthy.’
However, on October 25, Isabella said her condition took a severe decline, with the teenager revealing that she began throwing up blood soon after waking up.
Joking that she thought, ‘This probably isn’t good,’ Isabella revealed that she texted her sister to tell her what was going on – and she then ‘notified the whole family.’
According to Michael, he was told about his daughter’s brain tumor before she was, explaining that he ‘doesn’t remember much’ about the moment he learned of her diagnosis
Isabella was ultimately diagnosed with medulloblastoma, which – according to GMA – accounts for 20 per cent of all childhood brain tumors
It was at that point that Michael said the family decided Isabella ‘really needed to go get a thorough check-up’ with a doctor, adding: ‘Thank goodness for the doctor… I feel like the doctor saved her life.’
Isabella said the doctor ‘did an EKG and other stuff,’ before sending her to another facility in order to get an MRI.
‘So I went to take [the MRI] somewhere else and then she called me and she said, “You need to head to Cedars-Sinai right now, I’m going to meet you there,”‘ recalled the teen, adding that the doctor gave her no other information about her diagnosis at the time.
Once at the hospital, Isabella was told that she had developed a ‘fast-growing four centimeter tumor in the back of her brain’ that required emergency surgery.
According to Michael, he was told about his daughter’s brain tumor before she was, explaining that he ‘doesn’t remember much’ about the moment he learned of her diagnosis, but that he just ‘remembers trying to figure out how to get to Los Angeles ASAP.’
Isabella was ultimately diagnosed with medulloblastoma, which – according to GMA – accounts for 20 per cent of all childhood brain tumors and is typically found in about 500 children each year, most commonly those between the ages of five and nine.
Ever since she spoke out about her diagnosis on the morning show, Isabella has been documenting her horrific journey on her YouTube account
On October 27, one day before her 19th birthday, Isabella underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor, with Michael stating that doctors wanted to ‘get it out as soon as possible’
Isabella explained on GMA in January that she started suffering from ‘excruciating headaches’ during her freshman year in college
On October 27, one day before her 19th birthday, Isabella underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor, with Michael stating that doctors wanted to ‘get it out as soon as possible.’
‘It sent a signal of how serious it was when they said, “Hey, you shouldn’t risk trying to put her on a plane to get her to the East Coast or another doctor. We know what it is and we should get it out as soon as possible,”‘ he recalled of his conversation with doctors.
Thankfully, doctors told the family that, although serious, they were ‘confident’ that they could treat Isabella’s cancer.
The teenager faced an uphill battle in the wake of the surgery, during which she underwent a ‘grueling month of rehab,’ which included re-learning how to walk.
Following the surgery, Isabella underwent several rounds of proton radiation therapy, which she completed just one day before she revealed her diagnosis to the world.
‘I got to ring the bell [signifying the end of treatment] yesterday,’ she shared with a smile.
‘It was great, it was very exciting because it’s been a long 30 sessions [over] six weeks.
‘I’m feeling good, not too bad. I’m very excited for this whole process to wrap but you just have to keep living every day through the whole thing.’
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