Married At First Sight’s relationship expert Mel Schilling has said she is ‘feeling positive and confident about the future’ amid her battle with colon cancer.
The Aussie, 52, announced she had been diagnosed with the disease in December and underwent surgery as well as chemotherapy after experiencing symptoms while filming the Australian version of the show.
Mel, who has since become an ambassador for the colorectal charity Occtopus, told PA: ‘My surgery was a 90-minute key-hole procedure under general anaesthetic and spinal block’.
‘I was in hospital for five days and went back to my normal eating and loo habits soon after the operation’ before returning to work part time three weeks after surgery.
She continued: ‘I’d say my energy levels are at about 70% now that I’m on chemo and I’m experiencing a little fatigue, bloating and nausea, but nothing too taxing. My prognosis is good and I am feeling positive and confident about the future.’
Married At First Sight’s relationship expert Mel Schilling, 52, has said she is ‘feeling positive and confident about the future’ amid her battle with colon cancer (pictured in January)
The Aussie announced she’d been diagnosed with the disease in December and underwent surgery as well as chemotherapy
Before adding: ‘By promoting awareness and reducing the fear factor around bowel cancer, we can make a tangible difference in preventing and fighting the disease’.
Speaking on Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden on earlier this month, Mel again opened up about how she has been feeling.
Telling the hosts that she was ‘doing well’ and revealed that she has had a week off from chemotherapy which has given her energy.
Mel 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’.
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, who has since become an ambassador for the colorectal charity Occtopus, told PA: ‘My surgery was a 90-minute key-hole procedure under general anaesthetic and spinal block’
She continued: ‘I’d say my energy levels are at about 70% now that I’m on chemo and I’m experiencing a little fatigue, bloating and nausea, but nothing too taxing. My prognosis is good and I am feeling positive and confident about the future.
‘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.
Speaking on Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden on earlier this month, Mel again opened up about how she has been feeling
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.
