Teddi Mellencamp Shares Rare Throwback Pics for Son Cruz’s Birthday: PHOTOS

“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum Teddi Mellencamp took to social media to post adorable throwback photos in honor of her son Cruz’s 11th birthday. Mellencamp posted a carousel of pics on Instagram August 21 that depict her family through the years, including snaps of her cuddling Cruz when he was just a baby.

“Happy 11th birthday to the best boy,” Mellencamp captioned the post. “Cruz’s hair may have changed through the years but his heart and soul are as sweet and strong as ever.”

She concluded with the sweet message, “Love you so much, Chow. Hope this isn’t the year you decide you no longer want to me Mom’s cuddle bug 😭”

Mellencamp Has Been Rallying Amid Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis

In April Mellencamp announced that her invasive melanoma had progressed to stage 4, having spread to her brain and lungs. Although immunotherapy seemed to be working, in July she shared that she was pausing her treatments as they were making her feel too sick.

But in the face of her scary diagnosis, Mellencamp seems to be rallying for the sake of her three children, Cruz, Slate, 12, and Dove, 5. Over the weekend, she posted pics and videos to her Instagram story featuring her setting up for Cruz’s birthday celebration.

She also posted a sweet pic yesterday of her daughter Dove and her pup Maverick hanging out in the yard. “Who do you think is more high maintenance: Dove or Maverick? Funny answers only,” Mellencamp captioned the post.

Mellencamp seems to be handling family life well while also dealing with feeling sick and experiencing anxiety as a result of her diagnosis. She even reached out to fans for advice, asking, “OK, for those of y’all who have gone through immunotherapy, did you have severe anxiety?” in a recent Instagram reel.

Mellencamp Seems to be Seeking Normalcy While Battling Cancer

Although Mellencamp has been candid about her cancer journey, including opening up about her more difficult side effects, she is trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in her life. That includes dating and navigating dating apps.

She revealed on an episode of “The Jamie Kern Lima Show” that she uses Hinge and at first was hesitant about showing photos of herself without her hair. “Well, I did, at first, not have my bald photo up, and then I was like, now I’m having to explain to everybody,” Mellencamp said.

As for what she’s looking for in terms of a potential date, Mellencamp does have some basic rules. “You have to be reaching out to me, and you have to have something funny, or that’s it,” she shared. “That’s all I got.”