Michael Strahan’s Daughter Isabella Reveals Brain Tumor Diagnosis
Michael Strahan's daughter, Isabella Strahan, is courageously opening up about the life-changing moment she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Speaking to Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, with her Hollywood dad beside her, the 19-year-old shared every step of her journey from learning she had medulloblastoma, a rare and fast-growing tumor in her cerebellum, including emergency surgery to ringing the victory bell after completing radiation.
"I'm feeling good. Not too bad," Isabella said of her recovery journey, sharing that she's preparing to start chemotherapy next month at Duke Children’s Hospital.
She added, “I’m ready for it to start and be one day closer to being over… I'm very excited for this whole process to wrap. But you just have to keep living every day, I think, through the whole thing.”
What began as a typical freshman year at the University of Southern California took a sudden turn in late October. “I didn't notice anything was off 'til probably like Oct. 1,” she explained. But things got worse when she woke up on Oct. 25 “throwing up blood.”
Doctors ultimately discovered a 4-centimeter tumor at the base of her skull, prompting emergency surgery the day before her birthday. “It didn’t feel real,” Michael shared. “I just remember trying to figure out how to get to [Los Angeles] ASAP.”
Following the surgery, Isabella completed radiation and rang the victory bell after 30 grueling sessions. Her twin sister Sophia has been by her side every step of the way, helping her relearn how to walk.
“Perspective is a big thing,” Isabella reflected, adding that the experience has reshaped how she views life. “I’m grateful. I am grateful just to walk or see friends or do something 'cause when you can't do something, it really impacts you.”
For Michael, watching his daughter endure this battle has been life-changing, admitting, “You learn you're probably not as strong as you thought you were.”
Isabella now hopes to inspire others by documenting her journey on YouTube to benefit Duke Children’s Hospital
