Heather Kelly takes inspiration from husband Rob’s lost blood cancer battle to keep living in his honour

Heather Kelly did not expect to become a widow at the age of 52. But she’s taken the grief she feels at her husband Rob’s death and pushed forward.

Heather Kelly will ride in the TAC People’s Ride in the memory of her late husband Rob. Picture: Brad Fleet

The year Heather Kelly was supposed to celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary with husband Rob, he was diagnosed with blood cancer.

The pair had returned from a trip to Tasmania in 2018 and within a week the normally healthy, strong and active man became very unwell.

Mrs Kelly said in a “huge shock”, Mr Kelly was diagnosed with leukaemia.

“He was always fit, healthy, strong,” the Rippleside resident said.

“It wasn’t a good prognosis from the beginning.”

Despite a difficult prognosis, Mrs Kelly said her husband was ready to fight.

Rob Kelly died after a shock cancer diagnosis. Picture: Supplied

Mr Kelly was approved for an experimental drug to get him healthy enough for a bone-marrow transplant – “his only chance of survival” – and within six weeks had the procedure.

But it didn’t go well, and Mr Kelly ended up in the intensive care unit.

“Every organ was being supported, and I was actually encouraged to switch off his life support on multiple occasions,” Mrs Kelly said.

“(Our two sons) and I … we didn’t.

“I knew my husband – he was strong-willed, and determined to live.”

Heather Kelly said her late husband Rob managed to bounce back from not remembering who his family was. Picture: Brad Fleet

Miraculously, Mrs Kelly said Mr Kelly came around, but had “really bad delirium” for months, not knowing who his family was.

She said he also had to learn to do “everything” again, but threw himself into rehabilitation, and was able to slowly rebuild strength.

“We were back to living a good life,” she said.

“It was two years after his transplant, we had his check-up biopsy – everything was great, he was still in remission, it was all fantastic.

“And then it wasn’t.

“Within about three weeks of that, things started to not be great, and he ended up back in hospital.

“They were sure it wasn’t back again because everything had been great.

“But unfortunately, a week later, they told us that it was – and it’d come back very nasty.”

Mrs Kelly said Mr Kelly was told there was nothing else that could be done for him, and he died three weeks later aged 67.

She said he’d fought the entire time, never giving up and insisting he continue treatments.

Mrs Kelly said “never, ever expected” to be a widow at 52.

She said she was in a dark place following Mr Kelly’s death, but last year came to a decision to continue living, and “not take anything for granted”.

Mr and Mrs Kelly had joined Cycling Geelong the year before his initial diagnosis, with plans to start cycling regularly.

Mrs Kelly said she decided to do it anyway, knowing he would be proud of her.

She also took up sailing, and said she was greatly enjoying both.

She will be taking part in the Cadel Evans People’s Ride in Mr Kelly’s honour on January 27, alongside thousands of other riders.

For more information about the People’s Ride, visit www.cadelevansgreatoceanroadrace.com.au/peoples-ride

Originally published as Heather Kelly takes inspiration from husband Rob’s lost blood cancer battle to keep living in his honour