Michael Strahan’s daughter, Isabella, is currently battling brain cancer, and the 19-year-old, along with her father, shared this heartbreaking news in an interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, which aired on Thursday.
Isabella, who will commence therapy next month, expressed, “I’m feeling well. Not too bad.” The diagnosis of medulloblastoma came in October 2023 after she experienced a month of headaches during her freshman year at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
She recounted, “I didn’t realize anything was wrong until probably around October 1. That’s when I definitely noticed headaches, nausea, couldn’t walk straight.”
Initially attributing it to dizziness, she became alarmed when she woke up one day in late October and started vomiting blood, prompting her to share the concerns with her sister and subsequently involving the entire family.
Michael Strahan credited a vigilant doctor for potentially saving Isabella’s life by suggesting a comprehensive checkup. Isabella was directed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where doctors discovered a rapidly developing tumor the size of a golf ball in the back of her brain.
Recounting the ordeal, Michael admitted, “I don’t really remember much. All I remember was trying to find out how to get to LA as soon as possible. And it simply doesn’t seem genuine. It didn’t feel real.”
Following surgery, Isabella underwent numerous rounds of radiation therapy and a month of rehabilitation. Sharing a positive update, she mentioned ringing the bell after completing 30 sessions over six weeks.
After maintaining silence for about two months, Isabella decided to speak out, expressing the difficulty of keeping it in. She hopes to be a voice for those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Michael Strahan, acknowledging the challenges, expressed gratitude for his amazing daughter, stating, “I literally think that in a lot of ways, I’m the luckiest man in the world because I’ve got an amazing daughter.
I know she’s going through it, but I know that we’re never given more than we can handle, and that she is going to crush this.”