Teddi Mellencamp and her estranged husband Edwin Arroyave have been direct about her stage 4 cancer with their three kids, who Edwin says have “been strong” amid the scary health battle. 

As the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum continues to battle stage 4 cancer, her estranged husband Edwin Arroyave shared how they have been “upfront” about her cancer with their kids Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove, 5.

“I called it the way it was,” he detailed on the April 3 episode of his The Eds podcast. “It’s like, ‘Hey, there’s some tumors that your mom has in her brain.

It sounds worse than what it is, but this is what we think is going to happen. This is how we’re going to deal with it, and this is why I’m confident that she’s going to make it through.’”

Though their kids were “scared” and “concerned,” Edwin—who is also dad to daughter Isabella, 15, with ex Christina Mecklenburg—said the pair decided to be candid about the dangers of Teddi’s cancer, which has metastasized in her brain and lungs, prompting multiple brain surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy.

“I tried my best to not sugarcoat it too much,” Edwin continued, explaining that he did let the kids know the “risks that come with this.”

But in the face of Teddi’s health struggles, the 47-year-old said their kids have “been strong.”

“Kids are resilient,” he shared. “I’ve been very impressed with them. They’ve still been doing great in school, they’ve been doing great in sports. I’ve just tried to keep it consistent with them. Have them continue to do what they’ve always done.”

And for Edwin, his response to support Teddi, 43, throughout her medical ordeal was “reflexive.”

“People think that’s hard, but for me, that’s just what I do,” explained Edwin, whose relationship with Teddi ended last fall after 13 years of marriage. “No matter what, I will always love Teddi and she’s been a big part of my life. And I like taking care of people, it’s just what I do. So, it wasn’t even a question.”

Does this mean there’s a chance for the couple to rekindle their romance? Edwin will reassess when the timing is right.

“The first thing is just making sure that we take care of this,” he said. “We’ll see what happens with time. But for right now, it’s just more of, ‘How do we take care of you? How can we get you back to normal as fast as [possible]?’”

He added, “That other stuff will figure itself out.”

To see some of Teddi and Edwin’s cutest family photos, keep reading…

Red Carpet Outing

Teddi and Edwin take Slate, Dove and Cruz to the LOL Surprise! The Movie premiere in Los Angeles in 2021.

Disney Days

The family of five enjoy a day of fun at Disneyland and California Adventure with friends in June 2024. “They say it’s a small world,” Teddi wrote on Instagram, “but my feet say otherwise.”

Cruz Cuddles

“I needed this,” Teddi captioned a pic with her youngest. “Thank you.”

Horsin’ Around

“When you jump to a 90 at Junior Hunter Finals at 11-years-old… and WIN the Classic Stake!!” Teddi posted in July 2024 while celebrating her oldest child’s major milestone. “So proud.”

Back to School 2024

“I cried because…?” Teddi wrote on Instagram in August 2024. “1. I’m going to miss them. 2. They’re getting older which means I am too. 3. I can actually work in peace throughout the day. 4. A combination of all the above.”

A Legend’s Birthday

The family honors Teddi’s dad, music legend John Mellencamp, in October 2024.

“Happy birthday, Dads,” she wrote. “It was a gift to be able to spend time with you at the @capitalchallengehorseshow over the weekend. But the last slide is really the gift that keeps on giving. Love you, @johnmellencamp.”

Grandpa Time

Slate, Dove and Cruz enjoy a day with grandpa.

Family Reunion

“Grandpa is 93 and he still will get picked before me for teams in our family football game,” the Bravo alum shared on Instagram. “But I think the even bigger discourse in the fam is pumpkin or apple pie. Which do you prefer?”

Happy Turkeys

Teddi celebrates Thanksgiving 2024 with her three kids.

Christmas 2024

“The North Pole comes to SoCal!” Teddi shared with a festive photo.

Happy New Year

“Raise your hand if you don’t realize you are celebrating the ball drop at 9PM PST,” Teddi shared on New Year’s Eve in 2024. “Who lets their kiddos stay up until midnight local time on NYE (and how do you do it)?”

Dove Turns 5

“Happy birthday to my miracle baby,” the Two T’s in a Pod cohost wrote in February 2025. “Hard to believe it’s been 5 years since you made our lives better and brighter. But no matter how grown you get, you’ll always be My Baby Dovey.”