Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Emily Richardson | Celebrity | January 11, 2024
On this morning’s Good Morning America, host Michael Strahan’s daughter, Isabella, revealed that last October she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of malignant tumor. The 19-year-old was sick of hiding her cancer and told her father she wanted to take her story public. So she and Michael sat down for an interview with Robin Roberts.
Isabella says that she first experienced symptoms of her tumor at the start of her freshman year at the University of Southern California in LA. She was experiencing headaches, nausea, and difficulties walking straight. Initially, Isabella assumed she was suffering from vertigo. But, one day in October, she woke up and began throwing up blood. Her family told her to go to the doctor and get “a thorough check-up.”
Isabella did just that. The doctor did an EKG for her heart and sent her elsewhere for an MRI. When the doctor received the results from the MRI, they called Isabella and told her to get to Cedars-Sinai Hospital immediately.
At the hospital, Isabella and her family were informed she had a fast-growing tumor at the back of her brain. It was 4cm, about the size of a golf ball. Her diagnosis was medulloblastoma, which accounts for 20% of all childhood brain tumors. Every year, about 500 kids are diagnosed, and most of them are between the ages of 5 and 9. It is extremely rare for someone Isabella’s age to receive this diagnosis.
The doctors didn’t mess around. They ordered emergency surgery for Isabella the very next day (the day before her 19th birthday). Her recollection of recovery is foggy; she was heavily medicated. But videos show her drinking her first sip of water, learning to walk again, and friends visiting her in the hospital.
Isabella spent a “grueling” month in rehab, followed by six weeks of proton radiation therapy. She experienced hair loss, fatigue, dizziness, and some nausea. Next up is chemotherapy, at the beginning of February. Isabella is also partnering with Duke Children’s Hospital to document her journey in a YouTube series. She says she wants to inspire and help kids dealing with cancer.
Robin asked Michael what he’s learned during this experience, and he replied:
You learn that you’re probably not as strong as you thought you were… when you really have to think about the real things. And I realize that I need support from everybody. You think that, you know, I’m the athlete, the tough guy, I can come and handle - you know, I’m the father in the family. It’s not about any of that. It doesn’t matter. It’s really made me change my perspective on so many things in my life.
Isabella added:
Perspective is a big thing. I’m grateful just to walk or see friends or do something … cuz when you can’t do something, it really impacts you.
When Robin asks her what lies ahead after this chapter of her journey is over, Isabella begins to cry. She eventually responds that she’s looking forward to going back to school, re-starting her college experience, and getting into a routine that’s “enjoyable”. She adds that, when she was first diagnosed, her twin sister, Sophia, told her she “has to keep living.” This makes Isabella tear up again. Michael takes his daughter’s hand and tells her:
She’s right. And you’ve been doing that. I know this is tough, but you keep on living, Isabella. You’re inspiring all of us every single day we’re around you. OK? And we love you. We’re here for ya. And you got this. In 60, 70 years you’ll be bugging somebody, I don’t know if it’ll be me. I hope it is. You’ll be here, baby.
Isabella responds that she loves her dad, and he leans over to kiss her on the cheek. That’s where the interview ends. Back at the news desk, Michael, Robin, and George Stephanopoulos are all visibly emotional. Robin brings up the fact that Michael appeared in commercials for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He says:
And doing St. Jude commercials for 14, 15 years. And one of the lines in the commercial is, “No parent should have to hear that their child has cancer.” And I would do the line, hoping that people would see it and go, “Let’s help.” But now I realize I’m the one that needs the help.
Here’s the full piece on Good Morning America:
