Seema Khaneja MD
Updated on: October 16, 2024 12:13 pm GMT
In a powerful and emotional interview, Kellie Finlayson, the wife of AFL star Jeremy Finlayson, shared her harrowing experience with terminal bowel cancer and the challenging battle she faces every day. Diagnosed at just 28, she revealed the profound impact of her illness on her life and family.
Facing Terminal Bowel Cancer
Kellie’s journey began in 2021 when she was diagnosed with stage four terminal bowel cancer, just three months after welcoming her daughter, Sophia. At first, doctors found the cancer had spread to her lungs but seemed to stabilize. However, in July, the situation took a dire turn when tests revealed the cancer had become active again.
- Initially diagnosed in 2021
- Disease spread to lungs
- Stabilized briefly before relapse in July
Kellie opened up on NOVA Podcast’s Head Game, recounting the physical toll of her chemotherapy treatments. She described feeling like she was “essentially dying every three weeks,” battling severe anaphylactic reactions to the treatments. “It was hard. I was allergic to one of the strands of that chemotherapy,” she explained.
Struggles with Treatment
Her experiences with treatment have been fraught with difficulty. Chemotherapy forced her to change medications, leading to hair loss and intense side effects. For Kellie, each round of treatment felt like a struggle for survival.
- Suffered from severe side effects like hair loss
- Required changes in treatment due to allergic reactions
- Experienced anaphylactic symptoms regularly
Despite these challenges, Kellie remains optimistic. She shared that recent chemotherapy and radiotherapy have helped manage the relapsed cancer: “It was in my pelvis, it was in my stomach, it was everywhere. I’ve been really stable and able to live a life like an actual life, and not being on my deathbed each week.”
Finding Strength
Coping mentally has been an essential part of her journey. Kellie emphasizes taking life day by day and not letting her cancer define her. “I really pride myself in thriving with cancer,” she stated. Her outlook is inspiring, highlighting her determination to maintain a sense of normalcy.
- Takes life one day at a time
- Focuses on living fully despite her illness
- Advocates for cancer patients
Kellie is also dedicated to being an active parent. “I am still parenting really quite well,” she said. “If I lived each day just surviving, then I’m doing a disservice.” She believes in living with purpose, expressing, “I need to make the most of it. The development comes after she revealed the couple had listed their ‘forever home’ in Hendon, Adelaide.”
Looking to the Future
The Finlaysons are seeking a larger home to better accommodate Kellie’s treatment needs. They need space for equipment and machinery that are part of her ongoing care. In a tough decision, Kellie has decided to move away from alternative therapies, focusing now on traditional chemotherapy as the best option.
- Couple lists home for a larger space
- Needs room for cancer treatment equipment
- Shift from natural therapies to conventional medicine
Kellie is aware of how quickly cancer can progress. She underscored this urgency in a TikTok video, saying, “Once we see not even quite a millimeter of growth in a scan over a couple of months, we know that means it’s growing.”
Community Support
Kellie’s story has resonated with many. She has become an advocate for others facing similar challenges, sharing her experiences and raising awareness about the realities of life with terminal cancer. Her courage to speak out has helped others feel less alone.
- Advocating for cancer awareness
- Sharing her journey has helped many
- Encourages community conversation about cancer
Kellie’s unwavering spirit is a testament to her resilience. She continues to face this enormous challenge while focusing on family and advocacy. As she navigates her journey, she reminds us all of the importance of living life fully, no matter the circumstances.
Kellie Finlayson’s story is not just about tough times; it’s also about hope. Her strong will to succeed, even when facing hard challenges, encourages many people to appreciate every day and find their own strength in fighting cancer.
