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 underwent surgery for a brain tumor on her 19th birthday in October 2023, before undergoing rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as needing two follow-up surgeries after contracting an infection in the initial operation.
Isabella, an aspiring model, was rushed into surgery in California for a tumor the size of a golf ball after suffering excruciating headaches and then began vomiting blood.
“I knew she wouldn't quit,” Strahan said. “She was going to fight, and she did.”
But Strahan said seeing her daughter struggling so much with the impact of her treatment was heartbreaking.
Michael Strahan photographed with his daughter Isabella in October 2023, just days before he was told he had a brain tumor.
'She wasn't eating much. “I was thin and tired and bald and all the things you hate to see your child go through,” she said. 'I don't know how he did it.
“I was struggling with that myself. I always say that she is much stronger than me.
'His spirit was there. One of the things he said, and probably the hardest thing I had to hear, was, “Dad, I'll do anything. I want to live.” I usually cry when I tell people that, but I'm trying to stay calm for you.
Now, Isabella is recovering well and there is much more optimism in the family about what the future holds.
“Her doctors are very confident that she will be fine,” he said. 'That's what we're going to hold on to, but you're always nervous.
“That will never go away, but as long as the results are positive, we will live to fight another day.”
During the recent vacation, Isabella was in the Caribbean with Sophia and shared photos on social media celebrating her return to health from the Bahamas.
'And we're back…' Isabella poignantly captioned the images on social media in late December.
“My first round of chemotherapy was one of the worst things I've ever done in my entire life,” he said on his YouTube channel. 'It just felt strange having chemotherapy. I don't know, you really don't think they're going to put poison in your body.
He finally finished treatment in June and rang the doorbell to signal he was done.
“You are a SUPERWOMAN,” Michael wrote on Instagram after his daughter completed her treatment.
You ring the doorbell, finish the chemotherapy and continue on your way. You continue fighting with a smile on your face, strength and determination. I'm a proud dad! I love you, Bella.'
In an interview with city and countryside In October, Isabella reflected on her year of treatment and said: 'I'm happy to be here. I think this year has made me stronger.
'The people in your life are what make it enjoyable. 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 be like.
His famous father, Michael, spent his entire NFL career in New York with the Giants and won the Super Bowl in 2008 against Tom Brady's New England Patriots.
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