‘OK, let’s do this’: Brave Kay Henderson dies … exactly the way she wanted to
She said she’d depart this earth on her terms. Today, terminally ill Kay Henderson — surrounded by those she loved, tears, laughs, and the sound of Flame Trees — chose death, declaring: “I’m glad I got the choice”.
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It was exactly how she wanted it to be.
Kay Henderson spent her last morning on earth with family, friends, puppies and favourite feline Byron as she sipped on bubble tea, had her friend braid her hair and giggled and grooved in her chair before it was time for the final goodbye.
Around 20 family members and friends had their individual cuddles and goodbyes before Kay laid in her bed and took her final breaths around 1.30pm.
Born with Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder leading to problems with the development of connective tissue, which supports the bones, muscles, organs, and tissues Ms Henderson has experienced pain and health complications since her teen years.
It was 17 years ago that she took a major turn for the worse, suffering a major heart attack “that was like an implosion”.
She has never been the same since, and in the last few months her agony has become debilitating. Doctors told her she had less than six months to live. She chose to go her own way, through the Voluntary Assisted Dying program, on her own terms and chose Friday to be the day.
The 47-year-old Coffs Harbour woman took time out to thank her thousands of followers on social media who have made her feel so special and loved.
After her interview with the Sunday Telegraph last weekend Kay’s followers jumped from 20,000 to more than 60,000 from all over the world.
She told the Telegraph this morning she was chuffed to be receiving gifts from as far away as Ireland from strangers who now were following her journey.
Gently cussing the followers for making her shed a tear on Friday morning Kay said in her last like TikTok: “Thank you so much you are the sweetest bunch of people I have ever met.”
“I wasn’t supposed to cry again, I’m not sad, I’m not scared, I’m here with all my loved ones.”
Kay said all she really had wanted to do was “make sure there was more information about VAD”.
“It is an amazing service and I’m glad I got the choice.
“My body is telling me it’s time so today is my last day and thank you. See you soonish.”
Kay then turned the music back on – courtesy of the mini speaker attached to her much-loved crocs on her feet – and went back to sharing memories with her most dearest, some of which were of fun nights out where “bad decisions were made, some too naughty to be repeated”.
Mum Coralee Wells said “everyone here today has touched her life”.
“She has had so much fun the last few days, it was just beautiful to see but it’s so sad. Kay loves to party.”
Her friends struggled to hold back the tears as they chatted over sandwiches. Children wandered on and out from the yard – the common goal was to keep the morning a happy one – to give Kay the farewell she hoped for and deserved.
The song Flame Trees was programmed ready to go when the time was right, and Kay chose Landslide — the Dixie Chicks version — to play “if it takes longer than one song”.
“Kay is going to have wings when she comes to visit you,” her mum said to nieces and nephews.
“Keep a look out for her. She’s a stepping stone and light for other people to understand.”
When it was finally time, those who wanted to join Kay as she went to sleep for the last time followed her as she led the way saying “okay let’s do this”.
To the others sitting in her loungeroom she smiled and said “see you soonish.”
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Originally published as ‘OK, let’s do this’: Brave Kay Henderson dies … exactly the way she wanted to
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