‘I’m on the mend’: Mel Homer shares update on battle with leukaemia

Join Mike for the latest episode of The House of Wellness with Chemist Warehouse on the Breeze where he’s joined by original host and broadcaster Mel Homer, Charlotte Young from And Breathe First Aid, Cat Wilson from DoC Great Walks, Sarina Finucane from Ignite Wellbeing, and resident pharmacist Piyara Perera. 

Featured Guest: Mel Homer

Broadcaster and original host of The House of Wellness, Mel Homer, returned to the studio to share a moving and personal update on her battle with acute myeloid leukaemia.

After undergoing intensive rounds of chemotherapy and a life-saving stem cell transplant from a French donor in January, recent bone marrow biopsies show no sign of leukaemia in her system.

“I’m taking that as being cancer free,” she said. 

“The doctor’s a bit more like ‘ooh it could grow back’ or whatever, but I’m taking it right now.”

“I’m on the mend.”

Mel opened up about the immense physical and mental trauma of her recovery, the reality of managing ongoing side effects like graft-versus-host disease, and her deep gratitude for the public healthcare system and the New Zealand Blood Service. 

Featured Guest: Charlotte Young

Pediatric ICU nurse and founder of And Breathe First Aid, Charlotte Young, joined the show to teach parents, caregivers, and neighbours how to confidently manage serious medical emergencies at home.

She emphasised that because ambulances can take six to 12 minutes to arrive, knowing how to perform immediate CPR or deliver effective back blows for choking can literally save a toddler's life.

Charlotte explained that a child struggling to breathe is the number one reason parents call an ambulance. She broke down the key differences between infant and adult CPR and shared ways to identify true choking.

Featured Guest: Cat Wilson

With the booking season officially open for the Great Walks of Aotearoa, Cat Wilson from the Department of Conservation popped in to tell us how we can explore them.

She revealed that opening week saw massive demand, including over 4,000 people queuing for the Paparoa track on day one, with New Zealanders making up about 60% of the total bookings.

Cat also provided excellent advice on tailoring walks to individual fitness levels, highlighting family-friendly options like the Abel Tasman and recommending the Kepler Track for those looking for a classic Fiordland challenge. 

Featured Guest: Sarina Finucane

Sarina Finucane introduced us to Ignite, an innovative nationwide digital platform that connects New Zealanders with over 175 vetted mental health and wellbeing professionals.

Launched during COVID-19 to make clinical and holistic treatments more accessible, the platform allows users to instantly book virtual sessions with psychologists, counsellors, and dieticians. It has also established itself as the largest provider of connected Rongoā Māori options in the country.

Ignite operates under a unique model where profits are entirely reinvested back into providing free mental health support for Kiwis 

Resident Pharmacist: Piyara Perera

Resident pharmacist Piyara Perera joined Mike to do some essential myth-busting around menopause. 

She debunked the common misconception that it only occurs around age 50, explaining that hormonal changes and perimenopause symptoms can frequently begin in a woman's late 30s or 40s.

Piyara also highlighted that menopause extends far beyond hot flashes and night sweats to include sleep disruption, brain fog, and mood changes. She reassured listeners that safe, effective treatments like HRT and natural supplements are widely available to help improve quality of life. 

Featured Product: Ooh La V Rock The Change

The hero product in the Ooh La V range, Rock The Change, is your daily menopause support essential. 

Designed for modern women navigating perimenopause, menopause and beyond, it provides support for mood, energy, digestion and mental clarity. 

It’s an all-in-one supplement with carefully selected ingredients specifically for women to support hormonal balance and overall well-being during menopause. Plus, it’s vegetarian and Halal certified. 

Always read the label and use as directed. If symptoms persist, talk to your healthcare professional. Dietary supplements are not a replacement for a balanced diet. Ooh La V, Wellington, New Zealand. 

Catch the full episode up top and tune in next Sunday from 8am for The House of Wellness on the Breeze.