Edwina Bartholomew on revealing her cancer on Sunrise and why she keeps it from her kids

2 weeks ago 4

It’s been three months since Edwina Bartholomew revealed live on Sunrise she had been diagnosed with cancer.

The nation wrapped its arms around Bartholomew, 41, after she spoke about being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia — a blood and bone marrow cancer — and how her prognosis was extremely positive thanks to a GP who caught her symptoms very early.

The mother-of-two received the diagnosis after blood tests in July before starting treatment in early August.

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Her message on Sunrise for mums to take better care of themselves and stop putting off health checks was praised across the country, but there were two people Bartholomew made sure were kept away from knowing her diagnosis.

“Because my kids are two and four, I never had to have the conversation with them, which is such a huge relief. For them, there’s no physical difference. I’m actually probably feeling better than I was, not as tired and taking care of myself better. So for them there’s only a plus side — because I’m around more and probably more present than I was before, deliberately,” Bartholomew said in an interview with Stellar.

“I’ve been really careful not to mention the word cancer around them. I don’t talk about my treatment, being sick or going to the doctor or going to hospital, because obviously they know those words. I’m very conscious of not having that conversation in the house within earshot of them.

“When I’m with them it’s just this beautiful little world that belongs to toddlers, completely oblivious to what’s going on everywhere else. They wouldn’t have any idea at all. That’s a really, really beautiful thing.”

Sunrise star Edwina Bartholomew comforted by Nat Barr after revealing she has cancer.

Since her diagnosis, the Sunrise newsreader has completely changed the way she lives her life and takes care of herself, cutting out coffee, alcohol, gluten and sugar.

I will be OK, but it’s still cancer and that word sticks and shocks,” Bartholomew told Stellar.

“It ended up being a positive outcome because I think I caught this particular condition within maybe a month or two of having it, which puts me in an extremely lucky category when it comes to people with leukaemia.

In the initial stages, I was fully focused on being very chipper about having cancer. I feel OK about it. I haven’t had the trauma of something like chemotherapy or even going to hospital to be admitted.”

Bartholomew speaking to Stellar about her cancer.

Bartholomew said she wasn’t wishing away the cancer because it forced her to make changes in her life for the better.

“I was able to have that extraordinary change of perspective that something like this affords you – or forces you into,” she said.

“I’m really well, and I genuinely can say that now. 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.”

Bartholomew hopes to be cancer-free in a few years which she credits to catching it so early and changing her life.

“People can live with this their entire life and because I caught it so early, I could be rid of it in a few years. Ever since this happened, I suddenly have just taken care of myself.

“Coming so close to that harsh dose of mortality and walking a line close to death makes you feel more alive. And it wasn’t the case for me. It wasn’t the worst-case scenario — it’s the best-case scenario. So how do I make the best life out of that possible? What a gift that is.”