19-Year-Old Daughter of Michael Strahan Courageously Opens Up About Brain Tumor Diagnosis
Isabella, 19, bravely shares her battle with a brain tumor alongside her father, Michael Strahan, in a touching 'Good Morning America' interview Their emotional journey sheds light on her courageous fight and the importance of open dialogue about cancer
Michael Strahan with daughter Isabella. Courtesy of Michael Strahan/Instagram
Last fall, Michael Strahan's 19-year-old daughter Isabella shared that she had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Strahan, 52, and Isabella spoke about her experience with medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, for the first time on Good Morning America on January 11. Isabella revealed to Robin Roberts that she started experiencing headaches shortly after starting her freshman year at the University of Southern California.
“I didn’t realize anything was wrong until around October 1,” Isabella remembered. “That’s when I started experiencing headaches, feeling nauseous, and having trouble walking straight.”
At first, she thought her symptoms were caused by vertigo, but they continued to get worse over the next few weeks. “I woke up around 1 p.m. and I didn’t want to get out of bed. Then I started throwing up blood,” she said. “I knew something was really wrong. I texted my sister, who then told the rest of the family.”
Strahan advised his daughter to have a comprehensive medical examination, and he is grateful that he did. He stated, "I believe this doctor saved her life by being meticulous enough to recommend a complete examination." Isabella had an electrocardiogram (EKG) and an MRI done, and she was later told that she had a tumor in the back of her brain, larger than a golf ball, and rapidly growing.
Michael Strahan with daughters Isabella and Sophia. Courtesy of Isabella Strahan/YouTube
"I couldn't believe it," Strahan remembered. "I don't recall much, just the urgent need to get to L.A. and the feeling of unreality."
Though medulloblastoma makes up almost 20 percent of childhood brain tumor cases, with about 500 children diagnosed annually, Strahan emphasized that it is "rare" in a patient as young as Isabella. "But it's still frightening because it's a lot for her to endure," he said. "The most difficult part is accepting that she has to face this on her own."
He continued, "The doctors advised against trying to transport her by plane and suggested that the mass be removed as soon as possible."
Isabella underwent emergency surgery to remove the mass on her 19th birthday. Strahan was absent from his cohosting duties on GMA for nearly three weeks from late October to mid-November 2023 due to "personal family matters."
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While recuperating from her procedure, Isabella had the unwavering support of her twin sister, Sophia. "She was under heavy medication, as you can imagine," Strahan recounted about his daughter. "But she managed to have conversations. Her friends would often come over just to keep her company. There were also times when she experienced a lot of pain and slept a great deal."
Isabella's treatment progressed with radiation therapy and a month of rehabilitation. She happily announced on Thursday that she had recently "rang the bell" after completing six weeks of proton radiation sessions. Her "next step" will be chemotherapy, which is scheduled to commence at Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center in Durham, North Carolina, in February.
"I'm feeling pretty good. I'm really excited for this whole process to be over. It's been tough keeping it quiet for two months, but I don't want to hide it anymore. I hope to be a voice for others going through similar treatment." Isabella shared with Roberts, after deciding to share her journey in a YouTube series in collaboration with Duke.
Sophia, Michael, and Isabella Strahan. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
The health scare has offered her a fresh outlook on life. "I feel thankful," she expressed. "I am grateful just to walk or see friends or do something, 'cause when you can't do something, it really impacts you."
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Strahan has found inspiration from his daughter's journey. "You realize that you might not be as tough as you thought when you have to face real challenges, and I've come to realize that I need support from everyone," the former NFL player explained. "You think I'm the athlete, the tough guy, the one who can handle anything, the father figure in the family. But none of that matters. It's really changed my perspective on so many things in my life."
Strahan shares his twin daughters with ex-wife Jean Muggli. He previously welcomed daughter Tatiana and son Michael Jr. with his first wife, Wanda Hutchins.
