‘I’m So Happy’ – Michael Strahan’s Daughter, 19, Battling Brain Cancer Shed Tears of Joy as Grueling Chemotherapy Treatment Finishes Up

Strahan added, “I thought I’d be done by the end of July because I was supposed to do six rounds total.”

Earlier this year, Isabella revealed she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. More specifically, she had a medulloblastoma, which is a rare primary central nervous system tumor, the National Cancer Institute explains. This type of brain tumor is cancerous and grows quickly, making it more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

Common symptoms for this type of tumor may include:

• Difficulty walking or balancing
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Difficulty with vision
• Seizures

She first underwent emergency surgery to remove most of the mass in her brain. Additional treatment includes radiation therapy, followed by chemotherapy, to try and get any remaining cancer cells left behind.

Isabella’s brain cancer journey revved up last Fall when she started getting headaches and nausea and had trouble walking. When she would wake up, there were times when she would throw up blood.

Her chemotherapy treatment has been brutal as she’s openly cried while coping with the side effects of chemo. Her journey so far made an unexpected call from her doctor mean much more.

“My doctor just called me and told me I only have to do two more rounds of chemotherapy, and it’s like the biggest thing. I’m so happy,” she said while crying.

Knowing chemo is winding down, Isabella looks forward to enjoying her summer and growing her hair back.

“My hair will hopefully start growing again once I’m done [with chemo] at the beginning of May,” she said.

To punctuate Isabella’s flurry of good news was a surprise visit from her loving sister, Sophia.

“I was trying to call and tell her about my good news,” Isabella explained but added she couldn’t reach her sister. Unbeknownst to her at the time, Sophia was boarding an airplane to surprise her sister in person.

Coping With Grueling Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is an effective tool for oncologists to help treat cancer by stopping cancerous cells from growing, dividing, and spreading to other organs. Chemo works by traveling through the bloodstream, killing cancerous cells. However, the process also impacts healthy cells, leading to side effects.

Patients almost universally experience fatigue, often alongside gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea. Doctors have many effective medications to combat chemo-induced nausea. “But mitigating that fatigue often depends on the patient,” says Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.

WATCH: What You Think You Know About Chemotherapy Side Effects May Be Wrong

“Neuropathy is probably one of the most challenging side effects,” says Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle. Neuropathy results from damage to the peripheral nerves. It usually resolves after chemotherapy treatment, but sometimes symptoms can persist. While it’s typically characterized by numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation in the hands and feet, neuropathy can have several different symptoms, including:

• Weakness in the hands or feet
• Stabbing or burning pain in the hands or feet
• Difficulty gripping, such as when holding a fork
• Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as writing or buttoning a shirt

Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy. When chemotherapy affects the rapidly dividing cells in the stomach lining, the resulting cellular havoc in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to side effects such as nausea and vomiting. However, doctors can help patients mitigate the hit with various medications before, during, and after treatment.

“Part of the chemotherapy prescription includes a set regimen of anti-nausea medications,” says Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle. “We also ensure that patients have medications at home that they can use should they develop nausea after treatment.”

Hair loss is another side effect of chemotherapy.

WATCH: Coping with hair loss.

“For cancer patients, losing one’s hair can be unbelievably stressful. To start with, the dread of losing one’s hair can lead to some sleepless nights and feelings of anxiety,” Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, told SurvivorNet.

Chemotherapy can cause hair loss. It usually begins about three to four weeks after chemotherapy and continues throughout treatment.

It happens because this treatment targets quickly dividing cells throughout the body. That includes cancer cells but also hair cells.

Most patients can expect regrowth four to six weeks after treatment. However, it is possible when your hair grows back, you may notice some changes in its color and texture.

RELATED: How are chemotherapy side effects managed for ovarian cancer treatment?

Tips to Navigating Chemo Side Effects

Doctors don’t have an arsenal of prescription medications to combat fatigue. However, you can do several things to help minimize the hit and restore your energy.

• Exercise: While it may be counterintuitive, physical activity can help alleviate side effects, especially fatigue. “Although ovarian cancer is not common, we often draw upon the experience of patients with breast cancer and colon cancer that have shown that physical activity can not only improve quality of life but may also have beneficial impacts on cancer outcomes,” Dr. Urban says.
• Eat well: Even though nausea may interfere with your ability to eat a healthy diet, it’s essential to ensure you’re eating appropriately, getting enough protein, and not losing weight. Not only will nourishing your body support your recovery, but it may also help you feel more energized.
• Sleep: Want to mitigate fatigue? Be sure to maintain your regular sleep-wake cycle while on treatment. Sticking to a set sleep schedule helps reduce fatigue by ensuring enough hours for your body to heal and restore itself each night. It may also help you recover more quickly by keeping energy levels high during the daytime.

Questions for Your Doctor

If you are undergoing chemotherapy and anticipate doing so in the future, you may want to begin conversations with your doctor about how to manage it best. Here are a few questions to help you kickstart your discussion.

• How can I best prepare for chemotherapy to minimize side effects?
• Are there any dietary or lifestyle changes I should make during treatment?
• What symptoms should I watch out for, and when should I contact you if I experience them?
• Are there any medications or supplements that can help manage chemotherapy side effects?
• How often will I need to receive chemotherapy, and how long will the treatment last?
• How will chemotherapy affect my immune system, and what precautions should I take to avoid infections?
• Can you provide resources or referrals to support services, such as counseling or support groups, for coping with the emotional and psychological aspects of chemotherapy?

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