News presenter Edwina Bartholomew has remained largely out of the public eye since courageously revealing her cancer diagnosis during an emotional segment on Sunrise.
The 41-year-old has now shared a welcomed update, revealing that she is “really well” and responding positively to treatment while speaking on the Stellar podcast Something To Talk About.
“I’m really well, and I genuinely can say that now,” she said.
“My test results have been fantastic. I’ve responded really well to the medication. My alarm goes off twice a day, once at 3am to get up and once at 8pm to take my medication, a tablet that costs me about $30 per prescription … My white blood cell count is almost back to normal.”
While her diagnosis has been challenging to navigate, Bartholomew explains that it has positively reshaped her outlook on life.
“I’m exercising, taking time out for myself, reading books. I’m much more present with my kids. I liken it to having an old-school camera and moving the focus. Suddenly everything is a bit sharper. That’s how it feels,” she said.
“I think until that point, I’d been really hyper-focused on life continuing as normal and this wasn’t going to change me. And then I realised, well, it has changed me innately, both physically and mentally.
“It makes you realise everything is about my husband, my kids and me in a beautifully selfish way. Everything in our lives now revolves around those important building blocks of our little lives. Other things don’t really matter.”
Bartholomew fought through tears when she revealed to viewers that she had been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia during the Friday, September 6 episode of Sunrise.
“I have been diagnosed with cancer. That’s a shock to say, and hard to say. It is a really good kind. It is called chronic myeloid leukaemia. It can be treated with a daily tablet. If I can take care of myself I will be completely fine,” she said at the time.
“It felt right to share this with you too. Many of you have been in similar situations or much, much worse and come out the other side stronger… And more resilient. That’s exactly what I plan to do.
“Secondly, the reason I’m telling you is because after I turned 40 I made the decision to prioritise my health. I got a skin check after Nat had her scare. I had a mammogram after I had a few lumps – that came back all clear. I even had an eye check – that’s fine.
“But my doctor sent me to get routine blood tests at the same time. One of those tests came back with levels out of whack.”
Despite her diagnosis, Bartholomew assured viewers at home that she feels “lucky” due to the available treatment options and remains “very positive” about her prognosis.