Home US Michael Strahan opens up about his daughter’s battle with brain cancer at age 19 in a heartbreaking interview

Michael Strahan opens up about his daughter’s battle with brain cancer at age 19 in a heartbreaking interview

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Michael Strahan pictured with daughter Isabella in October 2023, just days before she was told she had a brain tumor

Michael Strahan reflected on the toughest moments of watching his daughter Isabella’s battle with brain cancer over the past 18 months in an emotional new interview.

The New York Giants hero and Good Morning America co-host was joined by his daughters, Isabella and twin sister Sophia, to reflect on what his family has been through in a new interview with People.

Isabella had surgery for a brain tumor in October 2023 on her 19th birthday before undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and requiring two follow-up operations after contracting an infection during the first operation.

Isabella, an aspiring model, was rushed into emergency surgery in California for a golf ball-sized tumor after she suffered an excruciating headache and later began vomiting blood.

“I knew she wasn’t going to stop,” Strahan said. “She was going to fight – and she did.”

But Strahan said it was heartbreaking to see his daughter struggling with the impact of her treatment.

Michael Strahan pictured with daughter Isabella in October 2023, just days before she was told she had a brain tumor

‘She didn’t eat much. She was thin and tired and bald and all those things you hate to see your child go through,” he said. ‘I don’t know how she did it.

‘I had trouble with it myself. I always say she’s a lot stronger than me.

“Her spirit was there. One of the things she said, probably the hardest thing for me to hear, was, “Daddy, I’ll do anything. I want to live.’ Normally I cry when I tell people that, but I’m trying to keep it together for you.

Now Isabella is recovering well and there is much more optimism within the family about what the future holds.

“Her doctors are confident she is doing well,” he said. ‘We’re going to stick to that, but you’re nervous every time.

“That will never go away, but as long as the results are positive, we will be able to fight another day.”

The family will also be featured on an ABC show on February 5 documenting her recovery from the tumor.

During this past vacation, Isabella was in the Caribbean with Sophia and shared photos on social media to celebrate her return to health from the Bahamas.

Strahan said Isabella is

Strahan said Isabella is “a lot stronger than me” as he reflected on her health struggles

Strahan spent the holidays with her sister Sophia in the Bahamas to celebrate her return to health

Strahan spent the holidays in the Bahamas with her sister Sophia to celebrate her return to health

‘And we’re back…’ Isabella aptly captioned the images on social media at the end of December.

“My first chemo experience was one of the worst things I have ever done in my life,” she said on her YouTube channel. “It just felt weird getting chemo. Don’t know. You don’t really think you’re getting poison through your body.’

She finally completed the course of treatment in June and rang the bell to indicate she was ready.

“You are a SUPER WOMAN,” Michael wrote on Instagram after his daughter completed her treatment.

‘Ring the bell, finish chemo and on your way. You keep fighting with a smile on your face, strength and determination. I’m a proud daddy! I love you, Bella.’

In an interview with City and country magazine in October, Isabella looked back on her year of treatment and said: ‘I am happy to be here. I think this year has made me stronger.

‘It’s the people in your life that make it fun. Now I don’t say no to anything. I don’t think so, I’ll do it next week. You don’t know what next week will look like.”

Her famous father Michael spent his entire NFL career in New York with the Giants, winning the 2008 Super Bowl against Tom Brady’s New England Patriots.

In November, he sparked outrage when he failed to place his hand over his heart during the national anthem as the Fox Sports team hosted their show from a Naval air base ahead of Veterans Day.

He was the only man in the line-up who didn’t put his hand over his heart – and was quickly criticized by viewers, some of whom called it ‘cowardly’ and ‘disrespectful’.

When later asked about the incident by DailyMail.Com, he threw the reporter’s mobile phone on the ground.

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