Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling has shared an honest insight into her “chemo chapter” following her colon cancer diagnosis.
Mel, who is an expert on both MAFS Australia and MAFS UK, posted a series of photos showing the duality of her life at the moment as she continues to work while undergoing her sixth of eight chemotherapy cycles.
“THIS IS ME – for every moment of energy & vibrancy you see there’s an equal and opposite moment of fatigue & discomfort,” the 52-year-old wrote.
She shared two photos of herself in full glam as well as one undergoing chemo and another sleeping in a hammock.
“This is my chemo chapter – it’s very up and down. Now on cycle six of eight, I’m learning how my body responds and finding ways to schedule my work during high energy periods and making the most of rest and self care in between,” Mel explained.
“Learning to rest is a *huge* challenge for me but I’m slowly adapting.”
She said she regularly reminded herself that this chapter “is just that – one chapter in my life”.
“It’s temporary and will pass. I know I have other, probably challenging chapters ahead, but they are not for today.
“Self compassion is one of my biggest lessons – I’m learning to cut myself some slack, allow the rest my body craves and to be kind to myself when I can’t be my usual ‘100% energy Mel’.”
It comes after Mel revealed she felt “tired, nauseous and very foggy brained” when she was undergoing her fifth round of chemo.
In April, Mel told UK radio station Magic Radio that chemotherapy “feels like being hungover”.
Mel said that despite not feeling her best, she’s “here to fight”.
She first shared her cancer diagnosis in December 2023.
She’s since had the tumour removed and in January told 9Entertainment she was thrilled to be well enough to film the latest season of MAFS UK.
“I wasn’t sure how things were going to go, so for me it was such a joy to be well enough and strong enough to be there straight away,” she said.