Reality star Teddi Mellencamp is fighting for her life as her battle with melanoma worsens.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, 43, has undergone nearly 20 surgeries over three years, but recent tests revealed her cancer has aggressively spread to her brain and lungs.

On February 12, doctors removed four large tumors from Mellencamp’s brain, but just weeks later, on March 7, three more tumors were found growing in her brain, along with two in her lungs. While she remains hopeful that immunotherapy and radiation will slow the disease, insiders reveal she is also preparing her three children—Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove, 5—for life without her.

“Teddi is a fighter,” a source shared. “But it’s devastating for her to go from telling her kids she’ll be okay to facing this grim reality.”

Leading oncologist Dr. Jerome Spunberg, who has not treated Mellencamp, weighed in, warning that melanoma is notorious for spreading despite aggressive treatment. “The cure rate is unfortunately very low,” he stated.

Despite the challenges, Mellencamp remains focused on her family and fighting for her life. “Her main thought is with her children and beating this cancer for their sake,” the insider added.