Michael Strahan Thought of the ‘Worst-Case Scenario’ as He Watched Daughter Isabella Battle Brain Cancer

NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan recently shared how he felt after finding out that his daughter Isabella Strahan was diagnosed with medulloblastoma—a malignant brain tumor—earlier this year.
During a joint interview with his daughter for Town and Country, published on Oct. 29, the 52-year-old football analyst said he recalled going through periods of disbelief and fear when he initially got the news.
“At the time, Isabella was modeling, the face of Sephora. She was healthy, beautiful. It was surreal. For a week or two I’d wake up and go, ‘Okay, that was a bad dream,’ and then realize, ‘We’re still in this another day. Here we go,’” he said.
Michael Strahan also said he was afraid that his daughter would die.
“Yes, as a parent you hear that your kid has cancer and you go, ‘Whoa.’ You have to control your thoughts, because your brain thinks of the worst-case scenario, and then you work your way back from there. 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 received her diagnosis a few weeks into her first year at the University of Southern California, announcing it publicly on “Good Morning America” in January. After multiple surgeries, six weeks of radiation, and four rounds of chemotherapy, she is looking forward to heading back to school after winning her battle against the disease in July.
“I get to start my freshman year again, and I hope I’m there for longer than 50 days this time,” she said during the interview.
“I can’t wait for her to be back at college and live, to get back to what she was doing before and have fun, sororities, football games,” her father said. “And most of all, go to class and get great grades.”
Now, at the end of her journey, Isabella Strahan is “super-grateful for walking and talking again.”
“You don’t think of the things you can do until you live without them,” she said.
As a father of four, the “Good Morning America” co-host remembers how difficult it was to watch his daughter relearn basic movements during treatment.
“It was definitely tough and painful to watch that,” he said. “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.”
In an effort to connect with others combatting the same disease, Isabella Strahan began making videos documenting her journey. While her father was apprehensive at first, he now sees the impact of her sharing her story.
“I’m happy to be here,” the 20-year-old model said. “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.”
Similarly, Isabella Strahan’s cancer diagnosis put things into perspective for the two-time Emmy Award winner, reminding him to soak up every moment with his family.
“We’ve always been a close family, but this last year has given me some perspective. At the end of the day the most important thing is your kids, your family, your mom, your father, your other loved ones—and just to hold them close to you, and your friends as well. Now I wake up every day and enjoy that day, more so than looking to next week, next month, or next year,” Michael Strahan said.
Isabella Strahan and her twin sister, Sophia Strahan, are daughters of Michael Strahan and his former wife, Jean Muggli. Michael Strahan is also the father of Tanita Strahan, 32, and Michael Strahan Jr., 31, with ex-wife Wanda Hutchins.