With her warm nature and positive attitude, relationship guru Mel Schilling is surprisingly buoyant as she speaks eloquently about her cancer diagnosis and the chemotherapy she’s currently going through. The Married At First Sight dating coach, who was
diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in December 2023, invited OK! into the stunning new South West London home she shares with husband Gareth and nine-year-old daughter Maddie. And she opened up about what has been an incredibly tough six months with admirable candour.
Mel, 52, who has now relocated to the UK permanently from her native Australia, is determined to change the stigma around the signs of her cancer. She is hellbent on using her platform to raise awareness after she was shockingly misdiagnosed twice before her tumour was discovered. But, despite her upbeat nature and determination to beat the disease, there is no sugarcoating it and there are tricky times that come hand in hand with going through chemo.
“It’s getting tough now,” she says. “I’m about halfway through and it’s getting hard. Feeling fatigued and nauseous is a bigger part of my everyday life. It feels like I’m hungover or pregnant every day, which is not fun.
“In true ‘me’ fashion, the day we moved was the day I started chemotherapy – I don’t do things by halves. It’s been a tricky time as I’ve been adjusting to going through that and moving house. But Gareth has been doing most of the move so I’m very lucky he’s happy to pick up the slack.”
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SEASONAL SHOPPING
Get in the festive spirit with a visit to one of the UK's best Christmas markets.
BOOST YOUR BRAIN HEALTH
As doctors highlight the importance of early detection in dementia cases, here are some of the steps we can take to help protect ourselves
'If it wasn't for psychiatrist, I wouldn't be a sitting here'
Comedian Ruby Wax shares her long-term struggles with mental health as she backs a brand new campaign to inspire and help others
I'm happy to be the one who says no'
TV presenter Helen Skelton might love the adrenaline rush of a new adventure, but when she's not busy breaking Guinness World Records she has learned how to take the pressure off herself
My daughter is excited to see Daddy covered in bugs'
I'm A Celebrity star Alan Halsall on how his loved ones feel about his Aussie adventure and what he will miss most while away
'We enjoy doing things together - we motivate and encourage one another'
Race Across The World stars Kelly Brook and her husband Jeremy Parisi on letting the cameras into their private life with their new reality series and taking on their toughest challenge yet
"They'd need to be Christian - but I'm hoping I'll find someone who will treat me right'
MAFS UK'S Sacha Jones says she's devastated following her heartbreaking split from \"husband\" Ross McCarthy
THE ROYAL WEEK
Armistice Day was remembered, entertainers were honoured and the King celebrated his birthday
KATE'S NEXT MAJOR MILESTONE
\"This is Kate's night,\" a royal expert tells OK!, as the Princess of Wales reveals she will be hosting her annual carol service this year
I'm in awe of my baby boy - he is truly a blessing'
JLS singer Oritsé Williams and his wife Kazz introduce baby son Shiva to the world in our exclusive OK! shoot