Current:Home > reviewsMichael Strahan’s Daughter Isabella Details “Horrible” First Round of Chemotherapy Amid Cancer Battle -Pinnacle Profit Strategies
Michael Strahan’s Daughter Isabella Details “Horrible” First Round of Chemotherapy Amid Cancer Battle
View
Date:2025-04-12 17:35:16
Isabella Strahan is continuing to document her cancer journey.
Since being diagnosed with medulloblastoma in October—a malignant brain tumor found in children—the 19-year-old daughter of Michael Strahan has shared updates on her treatment, including further details about her first round of chemotherapy.
"The first week in the hospital was horrible," she said in a Feb. 21 YouTube video. "The first day was like fine, I could still eat. But it just felt weird getting, I don't know, you don't really think you're going to get like poison put through your body. I don't know, not fun. I'm very achy now."
She detailed a number of other symptoms, including uncontrollable shaking due to coldness, a "bright red" face and throwing up, however she noted she felt even worse after she'd returned home due to severe jaw pain.
"It felt like someone had just like ripped every single one of my teeth out," she said, "and just set back in my mouth with no medicine. I basically couldn't drink water, definitely there were tears over this jaw pain."
But as difficult as her symptoms have been, Isabella said there's been one bright side: she no longer cares about losing her hair.
"My hair is insufficient now," she joked with a laugh. "When I'm like thinking about it, it's painful to look at. Besides being bald, it doesn't bring me pain mentally."
Throughout her video, even while detailing the painful symptoms, Isabella often spoke with a smile on her face—something viewers noted.
"I respect your bravery and being able to vlog and smile gives hope to others going through hard things," one user commented on the video, while another added, "Thank you for being honest while showing you can fight and smile at the same time. It matters!!!"
And in addition to supporters social media, Isabella also has a support system much closer to home: her family, including father Michael and twin sister Sophia, who have been there for her since the very beginning.
"I'm so lucky to have the most amazing sister and best friend in the world," Sophia wrote on Instagram in January after Isabella shared her diagnosis publicly. "The last few months have been so much harder than we could have ever imagined, but it's made me realize just how strong you are. You inspire me and I'm so proud of you. Us forever."
For more on Isabella's family tree, and the many people in her corner, keep reading.
Michael Strahan married Wanda Hutchins in 1992, months before going No. 40 to the New York Giants in the 1993 NFL Draft.
Daughter Tanitha was born Nov. 10, 1991, and son Michael Jr. arrived Sept. 12, 1994.
Wanda and Michael divorced in 1996 and Michael Jr. and Tanita primarily lived in Germany with their mother.
"But from day one, it was very important for me to be active, to be a part of their life,” Michael recalled to People in 2016. "I was constantly on planes and phones. And it’s very hard...But one thing I learned is, you make time for what you want to make time for."
Still, the Super Bowl winner has admitted to some regrets from his days as a young father.
"I didn't know what my future was gonna be," Michael told Brooke Shields on an August 2023, episode of her podcast What Now? "I knew I'd work hard. I knew that if I had an opportunity, I would do my best at it. But it was still tough."
He was "so young," the Pro Football Hall of Famer continued, "and having kids and having all the responsibilities, I do look back, and I do wish I did a lot of things better as far as being a parent because I felt like there was so many times I should've probably sacrificed certain things in order to be a little bit more present."
That being said, Michael continued, "then there are times I've looked back, and I think in order to have the life that I've been able to provide and give them, I had to sacrifice a lot of things."
Michael Jr. and Tanita eventually moved back to the U.S. and attended high school in their father's native Houston, according to People, then studied psychology and art, respectively, in college.
Tanita is "kind of like me in the sense that she has a very strong personality, but a silent strong personality," Michael told New York Family in 2012. "She’s not going to be one to walk into a room and make it all about her. She definitely has an opinion and she’s very smart and she knows what she wants, which I love about her."
He called Michael Jr. a "very smart" and "very particular young man."
Ultimately, Michael said, "I have great kids, and they’re not the kind who look at my life and say 'Daddy's this' and 'Daddy’s that.' My kids are interested in making their own way. They have their own personalities and do their own thing. I'm happy to see that."
Tanita graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in 2014 and, according to her Instagram, is living and working as an illustrator in Los Angeles.
"What an incredible woman she’s become," mom Wanda wrote of her daughter on Instagram in 2018. "It’s been an absolute privilege to walk the path to adulthood and beyond with her. Creative, determined, and most of all kind."
On Michael Jr.'s birthday that same year, Wanda wrote, "His sarcastic humor, intelligence, discipline, and kindness inspire me."
Michael met second wife Jean at a New York spa, where she was working at the time.
They married in 1999 and—as the New York Times reported in 2006 when they were in the middle of an acrimonious divorce—signed a prenuptial agreement that set aside 20 percent of Michael's earnings per year to go to Jean should they break up.
The defensive end signed a seven-year, $46 million contract with the Giants in 2002.
“Personally, getting divorced is probably one of the toughest things I’ve ever gone through," Michael recalled to People in 2016, "but it was also a learning experience and I learned a lot about myself and I learned a lot about a lot of the people who were around at that time and some aren’t around anymore."
On a sunnier note, Michael and Jean welcomed twin daughters Isabella and Sophia on Oct. 28, 2004.
Isabella, who's slightly older, is "more playful, very chill, never gets very upset or fired up," Michael told New York Family. "She’s very, 'It is what it is.'"
And Sophia as "always asking questions, very curious. They’re both very smart; they love to read all these things I never thought of reading when I was 7 or 8 years old. And they do it because they’re generally interested in it, which is amazing to me."
"My kids have a different upbringing than I had, but the love is the same," Michael told People in 2016, explaining how he and Jean had been co-parenting in the 10 years since finalizing their divorce. "The belief in them is the same."
It turned out that Isabella and Sophia, who lived part time with their mom in North Dakota and North Carolina, had inherited the good-on-camera gene from their father.
“The twins live a crazy life," Michael told People in 2016. "One time they flew out to D.C. and interviewed the first lady for GMA. Then the next day their mom was sending me a video of them riding horses and splashing around in a muddy corn field."
During the school year, "I get on a plane, and I fly to see my kids," he continued. "And whenever they get a break, they come to New York. The hardest part is when they leave—the energy in the house is not the same...They’re not the first kids and I’m not the first adult to deal with it, but we’ve all handled it as well as we can."
"You worry how the kids will mix and blend," Michael told People, "but brothers and sisters are brothers and sisters regardless of different mothers."
"My kids give me strength,” Michael said. "I love being with the kids. To me it’s all about family, now more than anything."
Sophia finished up at NYC's Trinity School in May 2023 and then it was on to Duke University in Durham, N.C.
"You are intelligent, beautiful, and I can’t wait to see all of the amazing things you are going to accomplish at Duke," the Blue Devil's dad wrote on Instagram.
The fam celebrated Isabella's graduation from Convent of the Sacred Heart in June 2023 and Michael cheered the future Trojan on her acceptance to University of Southern California.
"Intelligent, beautiful, and hard-working!!" he posted on Instagram. "I can’t wait to continue to watch you shine!! Love you!"
In January 2024, Isabella shared—her dad by her side—that she was undergoing treatment for brain cancer, having been diagnosed with a tumor known as a medulloblastoma the previous October.
Having had surgery and radiation, she still had chemotherapy ahead of her. But, Isabella said in a sit-down with Good Morning America's Robin Roberts, "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."
After getting together in 2007, Michael spent five years engaged to Nicole—who shares five kids with ex-husband Eddie Murphy—before they went their separate ways in 2014.
Michael's rep said at the time, "They love each other very much, but with the distance and work schedule it has been hard to maintain the relationship."
Michael has been in a relationship with Kayla, a University of Tampa alum and co-founder of wellness supplement brand FIZZNESS, since 2015.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (39)
Related
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Powell reinforces Fed’s cautious approach toward further interest rate hikes
- Jimmy Buffett honored with tribute performance at CMAs by Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, more
- Artists’ posters of hostages held by Hamas, started as public reminder, become flashpoint themselves
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- The Excerpt podcast: GOP candidates get fiery in third debate
- Apple hits setback in dispute with European Union over tax case
- Amazon takes another shot at health care, this one a virtual care service that costs $9 per month
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Last 12 months on Earth were the hottest ever recorded, analysis finds
Ranking
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Are banks, post offices closed on Veterans Day? What about the day before? What to know
- Back in China 50 years after historic trip, a Philadelphia Orchestra violinist hopes to build ties
- Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn't believe he was ejected from Bucks' win over Pistons
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- With Democrats Back in Control of Virginia’s General Assembly, Environmentalists See a Narrow Path Forward for Climate Policy
- Myanmar’s military chief says a major offensive by ethnic groups was funded by the drug trade
- Scott Boras tells MLB owners to 'take heed': Free agents win World Series titles
Recommendation
Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
Zac Efron would be 'honored' to play Matthew Perry in a biopic
Cleaning agent found in the bottled drink that sickened a man and triggered alarm in Croatia
NCAA president Charlie Baker blasts prop bets, citing risk to game integrity in college sports
Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
Ian Somerhalder Reveals Why He Left Hollywood
Minneapolis police lieutenant disciplined over racist email promoted to homicide unit leader
The actors strike is over. What’s next for your favorite stars, shows and Hollywood?