Mel Schilling has told of the agony she was left in before her bowel cancer diagnosis, admitting there have been times she ‘could have gone to that dark place’.
The Married At First Sight star, 52, was diagnosed with the disease just before Christmas after she began experiencing symptoms while filming the Australian version of the show.
Speaking to new! magazine, Mel recalled the severe pain she was in whle at work, saying: ‘I was doubled over and shouting – the pain was so intense.’
Her doctors originally thought her symptoms were simply constipation but she soon became concerned after losing her appetite.
On a trip to Ireland with her husband Gareth, Mel said she was in ‘so much pain’ and struggled to hold down food or water.
Mel Schilling has told of the agony she was left in before her bowel cancer diagnosis, admitting there have been times she ‘could have gone to that dark place’
The Married At First Sight star, 52, was diagnosed with the disease just before Christmas after she began experiencing symptoms while filming the Australian version of the show
Knowing something was still wrong, she went to see a gastroenterologist after returning to London who was ‘concerned’ about her unexplained weight loss.
Mel had a CT scan and returned a few days later to get her results, recalling the heartbreaking moment she was told she had cancer.
She said: ‘We were sitting in his office and the doctor had a blank look and I thought, “This doesn’t seem right,” and he said, “It’s cancer.” I think I was numb, I didn’t process it and I went into work mode, that’s all I could focus on.’
The reality TV host revealed her shock health battle in December and underwent colon surgery just before the end of the year.
She explained that her tumour – which she has named ‘Terry’ – was removed by UK doctors.
However, as the cancer spread through her colon into the muscle, Mel now needs chemotherapy and will begin treatment at the end of February.
She noted the form of chemo she is getting is not too taxing on the body so she will carry on working through the treatment.
Back in December, she informed her followers about her surgery to remove her tumour.
Mel recalled the severe pain she was in whle at work, saying: ‘I was doubled over and shouting – the pain was so intense’
On a trip to Ireland with her husband Gareth, Mel said she was in ‘so much pain’ and struggled to hold down food or water
Recalling the moment she was told she had cancer, Mel said: ‘I think I was numb, I didn’t process it and I went into work mode, that’s all I could focus on’
‘So yesterday lunchtime I had keyhole surgery to remove my tumour (AKA Terry) and in the words of my amazing surgeon it couldn’t have gone any better!’ Mel said at the time.
The post accompanied a photo of the TV star in a hospital bed, giving a thumbs up with a tube in her nose.
She added: ‘Crucially the cancer hadn’t spread to my abdominal cavity, which was our greatest fear but was entirely localised in my colon.’
‘Over the coming days I will discuss my treatment plan going forwards but suffice to say that Terry is toast!’
Mel then revealed her treatment had taken place in London and went on to praise the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
‘I also wanted to say that everyone in the UK should be incredibly proud of the people of the NHS,’ she added.
‘The NHS is a unique, precious institution we need to make sure it’s here to serve our children and our children’s children.
‘Now, it’s time to focus on getting my ass out of here in time for Christmas.’
Mel, who appears on the British and Australian versions of the show, revealed she had colon cancer in an Instagram post on December 19.
She posted a photo of herself hugging her husband and their daughter alongside the caption: ‘”You have cancer”. Three little words that everyone dreads but no one ever expects to hear.
‘Last Thursday my consultant told me those three words.’
She said she was diagnosed just one month after she began to feel pain in her stomach while filming MAFS Australia’s upcoming eleventh season.
‘About a month ago, when I was filming in Australia, I developed severe stomach cramps on set. I put it down to all the travel I’d been doing and the upset it caused to my system,’ she explained.
‘I saw my GP in Sydney and he put it down to constipation, gave me some laxatives and sent me on my way.’
Despite her doctor’s initial assessment, Mel said she knew her condition was more serious and booked herself a scan when she travelled to the UK.
‘On Thursday I was told I had colon cancer and in an instant my whole life changed,’ she wrote.
In addition to the UK version, Mel has recently returned to screens alongside fellow experts John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla for the eleventh season of the Aussie version of the hit dating show.
