Current:Home > FinanceMichael Strahan and daughter Isabella, 19, reveal brain tumor diagnosis on 'GMA' -Thrive Capital Insights
Michael Strahan and daughter Isabella, 19, reveal brain tumor diagnosis on 'GMA'
View
Date:2025-04-14 21:24:02
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! (721)
Related
- JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
- Amazon driver shot, killed alleged 17-year-old carjacker in Cleveland, reports say
- Some students want their colleges to divest from Israel. Here's what that really means.
- Paying college athletes appears closer than ever. How could it work and what stands in the way?
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- For a Louisiana lawmaker, exempting incest and rape from the state’s abortion ban is personal
- Lured by historic Rolling Stones performance, half-a-million fans attend New Orleans Jazz Fest
- Boeing's Starliner mission was scrubbed Monday. Here's when it will try to launch again.
- Your Wedding Guests Will Thank You if You Get Married at These All-Inclusive Resorts
- Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes' Daring 2024 Met Gala Looks Are Proof Opposites Attract
Ranking
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Wisconsin Republicans launch audit of state government diversity efforts
- Mama Cass' daughter debunks ham sandwich death myth, talks career that might have been
- Some students want their colleges to divest from Israel. Here's what that really means.
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor Engaged to Cameron Fuller: See Her Debut Ring at Met Gala
- Bad Bunny returns to Met Gala as co-chair — and with fashionable flair in a head-turning look
- A Rare Dose of Hope for the Colorado River as New Study Says Future May Be Wetter
Recommendation
Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
A look at some of the turmoil surrounding the Boy Scouts, from a gay ban to bankruptcy
Ole Miss investigates 'racist overtones' as Black student taunted at pro-Palestine protest
Tennessee company fined nearly $650K for illegally hiring minors to clean slaughterhouses
What polling shows about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ new running mate
2024 Met Gala: See Every Kardashian-Jenner Fashion Moment on the Red Carpet
Are you turning 65 between 2024 and 2030 and not financially prepared for retirement? Do this.
Shakira Makes Her Met Gala 2024 Debut in Red-Hot Look