NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan says he panicked after his daughter IsabellaShe was diagnosed with cancer… but her dedication to defeating the disease helped calm his nerves.
The Super Bowl champion and his two daughters Isabella and Sophiaspoke with People in an interview published on Wednesday … and shared the emotional details behind Isabella's 2023 medical discovery – medulloblastoma, a tumor in the cerebellum.
Strahan – who played 15 seasons with the New York Giants – was shocked by the news … and admitted he couldn't believe what he heard.
“It puts you in a state of panic as a parent,” Strahan said.
The 53-year-old TV presenter explained that they remained optimistic, but one particular moment reassured him that his 20-year-old daughter would overcome the illness.
“One of the things she once said to me, probably the hardest thing I've ever had to hear, was, 'Dad, I'll do anything. I want to live,'” Strahan said.
“It shocked me and I usually cry when I tell people this, but I'm trying to keep it together for you. It was like a 'WOW' moment, but it was also a calming moment because I knew she wouldn't give up.” . She wanted to fight and that’s what she did.”
Isabella had surgery on the four centimeter tumor on her birthday (October 28th)… and after several procedures, chemotherapy and radiation… she is now cancer free.
Even though Isabella has beaten the disease, she still has to undergo a checkup to make sure the cancer has not returned… a process that always makes the family nervous.
Despite the nervousness, Strahan mentioned that doctors are “confident” that Isabella will be fine and he hopes she can return to her normal self soon.
“I can’t wait to get to this point,” Strahan said. “I think this will be a complete moment.”