Current:Home > MarketsMichael Strahan and daughter Isabella, 19, reveal brain tumor diagnosis on 'GMA'-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Michael Strahan and daughter Isabella, 19, reveal brain tumor diagnosis on 'GMA'
View Date:2024-12-23 23:11:52
Michael Strahan's daughter Isabella has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
The father-daughter pair revealed Isabella's diagnosis with medulloblastoma on "Good Morning America" Thursday with host Robin Roberts.
"I didn't notice anything was off till probably like Oct. 1," the 19-year-old said. "That's when I definitely noticed headaches, nausea, couldn't walk straight." Eventually, she said, she began to dread waking up because she was throwing up.
Isabella's twin sister Sophia encouraged her to seek treatment and Isabella received her diagnosis in October following an MRI.
One day before Isabella's 19th birthday, she had surgery to remove the tumor, which was slightly larger than a golf ball.
Isabella was on the West Coast, where she was beginning her freshman year at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, while Strahan, who co-hosts "GMA" and "NFL Sunday," was in New York at the time of his daughter's surgery.
"The hardest thing to get over is to think that she has to go through this herself," Strahan recalled. "Doctors said, 'You shouldn't risk trying to put her on a plane to get her to the East Coast or to another doctor. We know what it is and we should get it out as soon as possible.'"
More:Michael Strahan's heartbreaking revelation comes with a lesson about privacy. Will we listen?
What is medulloblastoma?
Medulloblastoma is a cancer that typically develops in the cerebellum, the back of the brain responsible for movement and motor skills, according to the National Cancer Institute.
The cancer type is most commonly found among children.
Michael Strahan's absence from 'GMA' occurred while daughter Isabella was recovering from tumor surgery
Strahan was absent from his hosting duties for three weeks at the end of October into November due to "some personal family matters," an ABC spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement. Up until today, he had not gone into the details of his absence.
The NFL player turned host is a father to four adult children. He shares Tanita, 31, and Michael Jr., 28, with his first wife Wanda Hutchins. He also shares 19-year-old twins Isabella and Sophia with his second wife Jean Muggli.
Isabella finished radiation therapy on Wednesday and will begin chemotherapy in February, she shared Thursday.
The college student and her father also discussed how this has impacted their perspective on what is important in life.
"You learn that you're probably not as strong as you thought you were when you have to really think about the real things, and I realized that I need support from everybody," Strahan said. "You think that I'm the athlete, the tough guy, you know, I can come and handle, I'm the father in the family. It is not about any of that. It doesn't matter. And it's really made me change my perspective on so many things in my life."
Previous:Michael Strahan returns to 'Good Morning America' after nearly 3 weeks
Isabella added: "I'm grateful. I am grateful just to walk or see friends or do something, 'cause when you can't do something, it like, really impacts you."
As for the future, she said, "I'm looking forward to getting back to college and moving back to California and just starting my school experience over. Not over, but just restarting, being back into a routine and something that's enjoyable."
"Today my daughter @IsabellaStrahan joined @RobinRoberts and myself for an interview about the journey she has been going through on @GMA," Strahan wrote on Instagram. "I love you Isabella and I’m always by your side. To all sending love, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!"
'Very proud of you':Michael Strahan gushes over daughter Isabella's runway debut
veryGood! (84493)
Related
- See Chris Evans' Wife Alba Baptista Show Her Sweet Support at Red One Premiere
- Flight Attendant Helps Deliver Baby the Size of Her Hand in Airplane Bathroom
- Lithium Critical to the Energy Transition is Coming at the Expense of Water
- British Open 2024 recap: Daniel Brown takes lead from Shane Lowry at Royal Troon
- The Stanley x LoveShackFancy Collaboration That Sold Out in Minutes Is Back for Part 2—Don’t Miss Out!
- Lou Dobbs, political commentator and former 'Lou Dobbs Tonight' anchor, dies at 78
- Over 3 million steam cleaners are under recall because they can spew hot water and cause burns
- Body of autistic 3-year-old boy found after he went missing from resort near Disney
- Does the NFL have a special teams bias when hiring head coaches? History indicates it does
- Idaho inmate who escaped after hospital attack set to be sentenced
Ranking
- OneTaste Founder Nicole Daedone Speaks Out on Sex Cult Allegations Against Orgasmic Meditation Company
- Gas prices are a favorite RNC talking point. Here's how they changed under Trump, Biden
- EA Sports College Football 25, among most anticipated sports video games in history, hits the market
- Lou Dobbs, conservative pundit and longtime cable TV host for Fox Business and CNN, dies at 78
- Craig Melvin replacing Hoda Kotb as 'Today' show co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie
- Nonprofit seeks to bridge the political divide through meaningful conversation
- Harvey Weinstein due in NYC courtroom for hearing tied to upcoming retrial
- Shannen Doherty's Divorce From Ex Kurt Iswarienko Granted 2 Days After Her Death
Recommendation
-
Prosecutors say some erroneous evidence was given jurors at ex-Sen. Bob Menendez’s bribery trial
-
Rocket scientist. Engineer. Mogul. Meet 10 US Olympians with super impressive résumés
-
Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dead at 27 After Falling 300 Feet Into Gorge
-
Bud Light slips again, falling behind Modelo and Michelob Ultra after boycott
-
Republican Vos reelected as Wisconsin Assembly speaker despite losing seats, fights with Trump
-
CBS News President Ingrid Ciprián-Matthews inducted into NAHJ Hall of Fame
-
Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dead at 27 After Falling 300 Feet Into Gorge
-
TikToker Tianna Robillard Accuses Cody Ford of Cheating Before Breaking Off Engagement