Mel Schilling has opened up about the pain she suffered before being diagnosed with bowel cancer, admitting there were times when 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 started experiencing symptoms while filming the Australian version of the show.
Speak with new! magazine, Mel recalled the severe pain she suffered while at work, saying: ‘I was lying over and screaming – the pain was so intense.’
Her doctors initially thought her symptoms were simply constipation, but she soon became concerned after she lost her appetite.
During a trip to Ireland with her husband Gareth, Mel said she was in ‘so much pain’ and struggled to keep food or water down.
Mel Schilling has opened up about the pain she suffered before being diagnosed with bowel cancer, admitting there were times when 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 started experiencing symptoms while filming the Australian version of the show
Knowing something was still wrong, she went to a gastroenterologist after returning to London, who was ‘concerned’ about her unexplained weight loss.
Mel underwent 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 looked blank and I thought, “This doesn’t seem right,” and he said, “It’s cancer.” I think I was numb, I couldn’t process it and went into work mode, that’s all I could concentrate on.’
The reality TV host revealed her shock health struggles in December, undergoing intestinal surgery just before the end of the year.
She explained that her tumor – which she has named ‘Terry’ – had been removed by British doctors.
However, because the cancer has spread through her colon to the muscle, Mel now requires chemotherapy and will begin treatment at the end of February.
She noted that the form of chemo she is receiving is not too taxing on the body, so she will continue to work through the treatment.
In December, she informed her followers about her surgery to remove her tumor.
Recalling the severe pain she suffered at work, Mel said: ‘I was doubled over and screaming – the pain was so intense’
During a trip to Ireland with her husband Gareth, Mel said she was in ‘so much pain’ and struggled to keep food or water down
Recalling the moment she was told she had cancer, Mel said: ‘I think I was numb, I didn’t process it and went into work mode, that’s all I could concentrate on’
‘So yesterday afternoon I had keyhole surgery to remove my tumor (aka Terry) and in the words of my wonderful surgeon it couldn’t have gone better!’ Mel said at the time.
The post was accompanied by 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 had not spread to my abdominal cavity, which was our biggest fear, but was completely localized to my colon.’
“I’ll be discussing my treatment plan over the next few days, but suffice it to say, Terry is ready!”
Mel then revealed that 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 Britain should be incredibly proud of the people of the NHS,” she added.
‘The NHS is a unique, valuable institution and we need to ensure it is there to serve our children and our children’s children.
“Now it’s time to focus on getting 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 fears, but no one ever expects to hear.
‘Last Thursday my consultant told me those three words.’
She said she was diagnosed just a month after she started feeling pain in her stomach while filming the upcoming eleventh season of MAFS Australia.
‘About a month ago, while I was filming in Australia, I started having severe stomach cramps on set. “I put it down to all the traveling I did and the disruption it caused in my system,” she explained.
‘I saw my GP in Sydney and he put it down to constipation, gave me some laxatives and sent me away.’
Despite her doctor’s initial assessment, Mel said she knew her condition was more serious and booked herself a scan when she traveled to Britain.
“On Thursday I was diagnosed with colon cancer and in an instant my entire life changed,” she wrote.
In addition to the British version, Mel recently returned to screens alongside fellow experts John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla for the eleventh season of the Australian version of the popular dating show.
