Broadcaster Mel Homer shows ‘no sign of leukemia’ nearly a year after diagnosis

Mel Homer announced in a Facebook post she is cancer-free.

Kiwi radio and TV star Melanie Homer has announced she is “cancer-free” after battling acute myeloid leukemia for 10 months.

The shock diagnosis came during a routine blood test last year.

On a post to social media last night, the Breeze host said her last biopsy showed no sign of cancer.

“I am here to inform you that my last biopsy showed NO sign of Leukemia! NONE! I guess we can call that cancer-free! Wooooohoooooooo!

“There is still a long way to go before I’m considered cured, up to two or three years.”

The diagnosis of the blood and bone marrow cancer came during a routine blood test in early July last year.

The radio host says she is still weak and is recovering from a rash but is "cancer-free".

Homer said she was shocked and showed no symptoms.

She started aggressive chemotherapy just five days after receiving her diagnosis and went through multiple biopsies and stem cell transplants.

“I didn’t get home again for five and a half weeks.

“Over 4 months total in hospital, multiple blood transfusions, 4 aggressive chemo sessions (well 5 if you count the one before my Stem Cell Transplant), 5 (or 6? I’ve lost count) bone marrow biopsies, multiple infections and E.D visits, a couple of leukemia mutations (that swung me into the high risk category), a Stem Cell (bone marrow) Transplant, along with countless other side effects and dramas ...

“So enjoy your weekend, hug the ones you love, donate blood if you can (I think I used most of nzbloodservice supply up over the past few months! ) and onwards we go! Not dead yet!”

Homer received a stem cell transplant in late January, thanks to an anonymous donor in France.

She said she continues to battle a severely itchy rash as a symptom of Graft v Host disease – a complication where donor immune cells attack the recipient’s body.

“I also have practically no immune system and need to get all the baby vaccinations again.

“To be honest, I am very weak and don’t feel that great a lot of the time, BUT I feel better than I did 2 weeks ago and sorry but did I bury the lead? No leukemia!”

Also known as a bone marrow transplant, stem cell transplants replace unhealthy blood-forming stem cells with healthy ones, often after high-dose chemotherapy or radiation destroys the patient’s own cells, treating cancers and blood disorders.

Breeze radio host and former Celebrity Island contestant Mel Homer.

Homer lives in Auckland with her husband of 25 years, Andy Pilcher. The couple have three grown-up sons.

Shortly after her diagnosis, Homer said she was “feeling fighting fit and ready to tackle this head on”.