Exclusive:
Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling has issued an update on her colon cancer after finishing a period of chemotherapy in July last year, admitting she ‘can’t believe it’.
Mel Schilling has revealed that her colon cancer is officially in remission, 12 months after her diagnosis. The Married At First Sight star, 52, opened up in an exclusive new chat as she shared her joy to be in recovery following a gruelling period of chemotherapy, which ended last July.
Revealing she is “doing well” and feeling “strong and healthy”, Mel detailed the moment she found out her cancer is in remission – which means the signs and symptoms of cancer have decreased or disappeared after treatment. She said: “I was spending some time in Australia and went to see a local oncologist, who had my scans. He was so positive and told me the cancer was in remission, which was a surprise. My sister was there with me and we both just couldn’t believe it. We went back home and popped open a bottle of champagne, while dancing around our apartment.”
Explaining it feels like a weight off, Mel continued: “When I was told I was in remission, it was like my shoulders dropped and I finally allowed myself to feel it. It’s like I’d been holding my breath for a year, telling myself, ‘It’s going to be OK, it’s going to be OK’ – and now I could finally just breathe.”
Mel has been supported throughout her journey with cancer by her husband Gareth Brisbane and their 10-year-old daughter Maddie. Recalling the moment she told her other half the good news, Mel continued, “I called Gareth to tell him and he just burst into tears. We both did, it was amazing and emotional.”
While Mel’s daughter, Maddie, was a support for the expert, she admits she didn’t tell the youngster the full extent of her cancer, but did explain ‘enough’. Mel said: ” “Maddie understood enough, when I was having chemo and she knew I’d be very emotional in the days following it. I’d have a lot of tears and difficulty walking at times. So she was definitely aware.
Mel’s shock diagnosis came after she suffered from extreme stomach pain and found herself totally unable to eat or go to the toilet. After being wrongly diagnosed with constipation twice, she was finally given the devastating diagnosis of colon cancer.
While she was still working and appearing on MAFS throughout her cancer treatment, Mel admits it wasn’t to her full capacity and she didn’t feel quite like herself on set. But now, she is happy, healthy and determined to catch up on lost time, as she giggles, “The new MAFS cast better watch out because I’m back, baby.”
