Michael Strahan Thought Daughter Isabella Would Die After Brain Cancer Diagnosis: ‘Tough and Painful' as a Parent

“I don’t think I’ll go through the rest of my life without some worry in some shape or form about this,” he said

• Isabella Strahan shared an update on how she’s been doing since completing treatment for her brain tumor

• Michael Strahan admitted that it was painful to watch his daughter’s cancer journey and praised her positive mindset

• They said their journey as a family has driven their charity work to help others work through similar health challenges

Isabella Strahan has “grown in many ways” fighting brain cancer over the past year.

In a candid cover story for Town & Country, the 20-year-old and her father Michael Strahan opened up about her difficult health journey after being diagnosed with a brain tumor in October 2023.

For Michael, 52, the past year was “a lot scarier” than he imagined, and he often prayed for things to get back to normal as he watched his daughter go through three brain surgeries and numerous rounds of radiation and chemotherapy.

“There were times when we said, ‘We know it’s painful and tough, but it’s temporary.’ The last year is one we hope to forget, but at the same time it’s shown us a lot of important things about who she is and about who we are and about how we show up for each other as a family,” he told the outlet.

The Good Morning America co-host admitted he was initially worried that his daughter would die after hearing the word cancer from her doctors.

“You have to control your thoughts because your brain thinks of the worst-case scenario, and then you work your way back from there,” he explained. “I don’t think I’ll go through the rest of my life without some worry in some shape or form about this.”

Related: Isabella Strahan Celebrates 20th Birthday at Disney, Reflects on One Year Since Brain Tumor Diagnosis

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Meanwhile, Isabella kept a positive attitude from the beginning. There were times where depression would creep up, she said, but “what are you going to do? It’s not going to help in any way. You’ve just got to get through it.”

“I feel like I’ve grown in many ways,” Isabella said. “I’m super-­grateful for walking and talking again. You don’t think of the things you can do until you live without them.”

“It was definitely tough and painful to watch that,” Michael added. “It was like, ‘How soon is it going to come back?’ It was painful for her to get out of bed and move and do those things that are completely necessary for her to do. As a parent, to see that was unsettling at times. But throughout this entire journey, Isabella has inspired and helped us all by how she has approached what she was facing. She has worked so hard, and with such amazing spirit. And she is still on a journey with her vision, balance, and getting her weight back.”

Since completing treatment, Isabella has health struggles. However, the model is cancer-free and said it’s been reassuring that her doctors don’t think her disease will return.

Isabella said she’s now moving forward with the mindset that tomorrow isn’t promised.

“I’m happy to be here,” she told the outlet. “I think this year has made me stronger. The people in your life are what makes it enjoyable. Now I don’t say no to anything. I don’t think, I’ll do it next week. You don’t know what next week will look like.”

Related: Michael Strahan’s Daughter Isabella, 19, Reveals She’s Cancer-Free: 'Goodbye Hospital'

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Reflecting on their journey as a family, Isabella and Michael said the experience has driven their charity work. They stressed the importance of using the platform they have to not only support others but raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital as well as Duke Children’s Hospital and the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, where Isabella received treatment.

“Most people don’t understand what families are going through,” Isabella said. “It’s also important to give back to the staff who helped me, because they saved my life. All the doctors and nurses were amazing.”

“We’re not the first family to go through this and unfortunately won’t be the last, but if we can help at all, hopefully at some point there will be a last,” Michael added. “I want to do as much as I can to help all these families who are not as fortunate as we are in certain ways to get through this.”

Feeling proud of how far she’s come, Isabella offered advice to anyone going through a similar health battle.

“Stay in the present. Appreciate where you are even if you’re in a lot of pain,” she stressed. “Don’t think about the future. Appreciate everyone around you. Tell them you love them.”

“From a parent’s standpoint, take a positive attitude, which your child can take on. Support your child,” Michael added. “Don’t be afraid to cry, don’t be afraid to be emotional and vulnerable. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I love you.’ Don’t be afraid to say something you always wanted to say.”

“Yeah, don’t be afraid to say something, because you may never have a chance again to say it,” Isabella said forcefully. “And what’s the point of not saying it? Life’s too short.”

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