Australia

Sunrise star Edwina Bartholomew breaks her social media silence to share an insight into her family life after revealing her shocking cancer diagnosis

Edwina Bartholomew has broken her social media silence after admitting on radio on Friday that she has cancer.

The 41-year-old veteran presenter tearfully revealed that she has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a form of blood and bone marrow cancer, live on Sunrise.

Just hours after the news, Edwina posted a message on Instagram to thank her fans for their support and to give a glimpse into her life with her beloved family since her diagnosis.

She shared a series of photos of herself with her 42-year-old farmer husband Neil Varcoe and their two beloved children: daughter Molly, four, and son Tom, two.

One photo In the photos we saw Edwina and her husband Neil looking at each other smiling and giving each other a loving look as he supported his wife through the difficult time.

Another adorable photo shows her son Tom holding onto the doorstop of their home as they take a walk, which Edwina says is a “reminder that life goes on,” she wrote in the caption.

In the emotional post, Edwina also admitted that despite her diagnosis it had been a “strangely joyful time” with her family and thanked her fans for their support.

She wrote: ‘Thank you. Thank you so much for all the love. This past month has been such a strangely joyful time.

Edwina Bartholomew has broken her silence on social media following her shocking admission on Friday that she has cancer. Pictured: Edwina and Neil with their children Molly and Tom

Edwina Bartholomew has broken her silence on social media following her shocking admission on Friday that she has cancer. Pictured: Edwina and Neil with their children Molly and Tom

Just hours after the news broke, Edwina posted a message on Instagram to thank her fans for their support and to give a glimpse into her life with her beloved family since her diagnosis (pictured with Neil)

Just hours after the news broke, Edwina posted a message on Instagram to thank her fans for their support and to give a glimpse into her life with her beloved family since her diagnosis (pictured with Neil)

‘The day I got back from my bone marrow biopsy, Tom insisted on taking the door tube to the park.

‘I laughed so hard when I saw him walking down the street with that damn thing over his shoulder. It was a nice reminder that life goes on.

‘I’ve been swimming in the ocean, making plans with @neilwrites and giving out lots of hugs. I hope it continues for a long time xx.’

Edwina has been married to her farmer husband Neil, 42, for six years. They first met more than a decade ago when they worked together at radio station 2GB.

She previously gave a candid glimpse into their family life and shared how she and her beloved husband have an unconventional living situation.

After tying the knot in 2018, Edwina and Neil moved to a house in Sydney, where they sleep in separate bedrooms to ensure they both get a good night’s sleep.

She recently told Stellar Magazine that despite their love for each other being stronger than ever, they haven’t slept in the same bed in years.

“We had been sleeping in separate rooms for about 10 years, long before we got married and had children,” Edwina said.

One photo showed her two-year-old son Tom holding onto the doorstop of their home as they walked with her. Edwina revealed in an emotional caption that it was a 'reminder that life goes on'

One photo showed her two-year-old son Tom holding onto the doorstop of their home as they walked with her. Edwina revealed in an emotional caption that it was a ‘reminder that life goes on’

“This past month has been such a strangely joyful time,” she shared in a caption. “Swimming in the ocean, making plans with @neilwrites, and giving out lots of hugs.”

Edwina has been married to her farmer husband Neil, 42, for six years. They first met more than a decade ago when they worked together at radio station 2GB

Edwina has been married to her farmer husband Neil, 42, for six years. They first met more than a decade ago when they worked together at radio station 2GB

The South Australian-born star explained that they both initially “hated” the idea of ​​sleeping apart, but found it worked for them and they loved it.

In 2022, Neil was laid off from Twitter in Australia and to his great surprise, he found work as a farmer in Carcoar, New South Wales, 260 kilometres from Sydney.

Neil left his job at Twitter following its acquisition by Elon Musk – and the site’s name change to X – and moved to Capertee Valley, three hours west of Sydney.

He now works as chief farming officer at Warramba, the 1890s farm that he and Edwina lovingly restored a few years ago.

However, Edwina chose to stay in Sydney to ensure she could continue in her role at Sunrise, meaning the lovebirds had to adjust to a long-distance relationship.

“My husband lives in the country with the dog, I live in the city with the kids. Every weekend we go back and forth between the two or meet somewhere in the middle,” she told Stellar.

“Every time we meet, it feels like a Love Actually reunion at the airport. We hug in slow motion and have that newlywed feeling.”

Edwina added that their living arrangement may seem unconventional, but it works for both of them and their children, and that their love is stronger than ever, she said.

After tying the knot in 2018, Edwina and Neil moved into a house in Sydney together but slept in separate bedrooms to ensure they both got a good night's sleep

After tying the knot in 2018, Edwina and Neil moved into a house in Sydney together but slept in separate bedrooms to ensure they both got a good night’s sleep

On Friday, Edwina announced in an emotional broadcast during Sunrise that she had been diagnosed with cancer.

The Seven star was told in July that she had suffered a shock and kept it a secret from the public, only telling a few friends at work.

When she made her diagnosis public on Friday, the TV star broke down in tears as she admitted: “I’ve been diagnosed with cancer. It’s a shock and it’s hard to say.”

What is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia?

CML is a rare form of cancer in the bone marrow that develops very slowly.

Various symptoms may occur, including bone pain, fatigue, fever, weight loss, blurred vision, and loss of appetite.

Thanks to advances in treatment, the prognosis for people with CML has improved. Most people diagnosed with the disease can go into remission and live for many years.

Source: Mayo Clinic

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“It’s a really good type, called chronic myeloid leukemia. It can be treated with a daily tablet. If I take good care of myself, I’ll be absolutely fine,” she continued.

The veteran TV star began to cry before telling the audience: “I thought I could handle it.”

Edwina went on to say that it was her co-star Natalie Barr who helped her get diagnosed so quickly.

Her 56-year-old colleague was also diagnosed with cancer in June after skin cancer was discovered on her nose during a routine skin check.

Concerned about her own health, Edwina visited her doctor for a mammogram, blood tests and a skin exam – before finding out the news.

“I feel very, very happy and I wanted to share this with you for a couple of reasons,” Edwina continued.

‘First of all, because everyone here at home and here has been there for all the wonderful moments, for the engagements, and the weddings and the babies, for all of us. It felt good to share this with you too.

“Many of you have been in similar situations or much, much worse situations and have come out stronger… and more resilient. That is exactly what I plan to do.”

Edwina said she also wanted to share her sad news because she wanted to encourage others to prioritize their health too.

“Please, especially for mothers who are always taking care of everyone, take care of yourself. And just go see your doctor,” she said.

After thanking her bosses at Sunrise, Edwina told viewers she would be taking ‘some time off in September’ before cutting back on her work at Sunrise.

On Friday, Edwina revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer in a tear-jerking on-air confession on Sunrise. The TV star broke down as she shared: 'I've been diagnosed with cancer'

On Friday, Edwina revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer in a tear-jerking on-air confession on Sunrise. The TV star broke down as she shared: ‘I’ve been diagnosed with cancer’

The former Dancing With The Stars co-host said she will reduce her work responsibilities to just a few days a week at Sunrise when she returns.

“I just need to take care of myself and rest. We’re incredibly lucky to have access to that in this country, and that’s the kind of [of cancer] “I have,” she said.

‘Also, I’ve responded really well to the medication so far, which is fantastic. I have no side effects.

‘I also had no symptoms, that’s why I wanted to give that health warning in the first place. I had nothing.’

Edwina went on to say that chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) often causes no symptoms, but can become very serious if left untreated.

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