Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling has issued an update on her cancer battle, admitting she has been feeling ‘tired’ but is ‘doing well’.
The Australian human behaviour specialist, 52, was diagnosed with colon cancer just before Christmas.
Speaking on Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden on Monday, Mel opened up about how she has been feeling.
Mel said that while she has been tired, she is ‘doing well’ and revealed that she has had a week off from chemotherapy which has given her energy.
The reality TV host also said that the type of chemo she is receiving does not make you unwell and will not result in her losing her hair, but has given her ‘tingly fingers’.
Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling has issued an update on her cancer battle, admitting she has been feeling ‘tired’ but is ‘doing well’
Speaking on Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden on Monday, the Australian human behaviour specialist, 52, opened up about how she is feeling
Jamie said: ‘On the subject of talking honestly, you shared with your fans last year that you’ve been diagnosed with cancer.
‘You’ve been very honest and open about that. First of all, how are you?’
‘Thank you,’ Mel replied. ‘I’m doing well. So this is currently a week off in my chemo cycles, which is why I’ve got quite a lot of energy today. I’m doing well. Thank you.’
Jamie asked: ‘How are you finding the chemo because I remember my mum went through it and was tough.’
Mel said: ‘I’ve learned there is a lot of different types of chemo… so the type of chemo that I have, doesn’t really make me sick. It’s not going to make me lose my hair.
‘I have other side effects like tingly fingers, that’s a funny one and very sensitive to cold. So I have to wear gloves a lot. And just a little bit tired.’
Mel confirmed that the MAFS UK team are ‘deep in’ filming for the new series – which she said is ‘fabulous’.
‘You know something that I will tell you about the new UK season is that it’s a very different group of people,’ Mel said.
Mel said that while she has been tired she is ‘doing well’ and revealed that she has had a week off from chemotherapy which has given her energy (Pictured with Amanda and Jamie)
Mel began her chemotherapy journey in the UK this week after her recent surgery to have a tumour removed
‘It’s probably not the group of people you would expect to see on Married at First Sight or indeed any reality TV show.
‘It’s a different type of person. And I think a lot of our audience are going to find it very relatable. I think you’re gonna see it a bit differently for the next UK season.’
It comes after Mel told of the agony she was left in before her cancer diagnosis.
Speaking to new! magazine last month, Mel recalled the severe pain she was in while 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.
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 heart-breaking 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 discovered she needed chemotherapy and began treatment at the end of February.
In December, she informed her followers about her surgery to remove her tumour.
Mel told of the agony she was left in before her cancer diagnosis, admitting there have been times she ‘could have gone to that dark place’
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
‘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!’
