Mel Schilling has shared some devastating news (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Married At First Sight star Mel Schilling has revealed the devastating news she’s been diagnosed with colon cancer.
The 51-year-old relationship expert, who appears alongside Paul C Brunson on the reality programme, took to Instagram to share the heartbreaking news with fans.
She began: ‘“YOU HAVE CANCER”
‘Three little words that everyone dreads but no one ever expects to hear. Last Thursday my consultant told me those 3 words.’
Mel went on to say that after experiencing stomach cramps, she was told it was constipation but ‘knew something still wasn’t right’.
She said: ‘About a month ago when I was filming in Australia I developed severe stomach cramps on set, I put it down to all the travel I’d been doing and the upset it caused to my system.
‘I saw my GP in Sydney and he put it down to constipation, gave me some laxatives and sent me on my way. Fortunately I knew something still wasn’t right so I booked in for a scan when I returned to the UK.
‘On Thursday I was told I had colon cancer and in an instant my whole life changed.
Mel took to Instagram to share the devastating news (Picture: Instagram/ mel_schilling1)
‘John Lennon famously said that life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans, how right he was. This week I had planned to travel to Northern Ireland with my family to spend Christmas with loved ones.
‘Instead tomorrow morning I’m checking in to hospital to have an operation to remove a 5cm tumour in my colon, a tumour that had it gone undetected for much longer would have killed me.’
Mel finished her post by saying she feels ‘incredibly blessed’ because her form of cancer is ‘easy to eradicate’, and thankfully, she’s expected to make a full recovery.
She said: ‘Despite this I feel incredibly blessed that it’s a cancer that is relatively easy to eradicate, I’m expected to make a full recovery though it’s a rough road ahead.
‘I also feel so lucky to have an incredible support network around me, both personally and professionally, my own family and my TV family have been amazing this past few days.
Mel revealed she’ll be spending Christmas in hospital to have her tumour removed (Picture: Mel Schilling)
‘It will be so tough to spend Xmas Day in hospital instead of being surrounded by family but getting rid of Terry (what I’ve named my tumour) will be the best present of all.
‘I just wanted to finish by saying that if something doesn’t feel right, please, please don’t ignore it and if you don’t think the answers you have got are right, keep going until you do, it might just save your life.’
Mel’s post was showered in love and support from fans and friends alike, with reality star Domenica Calarco writing: ‘Sending you and your family love, you’ve got this Mel xxxxxx.’
Fitness influencer Libby Babet wrote: ‘h my friend…. Sending all the love, this is not a fun bump in the road but thank goodness you caught it early and it will be just that. You’re such a wonderful human and life force… just know nothing can take you down and love you to bits xoxooxx.’
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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‘In an instant my whole life changed.’