‘We’re not out of the woods’: Kellie Finlayson optimistic after scans show her cancer has stopped spreading

Diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer at age 25, Kellie Finlayson – wife of Port player Jeremy – has revealed how her treatment is going.

Kellie Finlayson in hospital Picture: Supplied

Kellie Finlayson has provided a positive update in her battle against terminal bowel cancer.

The 27-year-old mum and former teacher has been battling the disease for the past 18 months.

Diagnosed three months postpartum, Ms Finlayson continued raising her now-two-year-old daughter Sophia, despite fears that she may not see her grow up.

Now, Ms Finlayson has been given a glimmer of hope and has shared an optimistic update with The Morning Show on Wednesday.

Following the latest scans, Ms Finlayson said the cancer had stopped spreading.

“Obviously with a terminal diagnosis it’s not often – definitely not common – for things to turn around as well as they have for me,” Ms Finlayson said alongside her husband Jeremy.

“I guess the chemotherapy and all the alternative therapies that I’ve been doing and putting myself through have worked.

“But we’re not out of the woods and I’ve got to be realistic with the fact that I still have cancer.

“Although things aren’t spreading and things are getting better, I’m still going through the motions of what’s to come.”

Her husband, Port star Jeremy Finlayson, whom she married in a surprise wedding earlier this year was inspired by Kelly’s strength and applauded her for her efforts towards cancer preventi`on advocacy.

“It’s amazing when we’re at home she goes ‘well instead of sitting there curled up in a corner and whinging why me, why me’, she’s out there advocating for any form of cancer,” Mr Finlayson said.

“The young range of the age limit of people getting cancer these days, she just wants to try save people’s lives.

Kellie Finlayson with her husband Jeremy. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Finlayson partnered with the Jodi Lee Foundation to encourage people to check themselves for bowel cancer.

“The earlier you catch it, the more likely you are to stick around,” she said.

When Ms Finlayson was diagnosed more than two years ago, she was told she may not survive to see her daughter Sophia’s first day of school.

In May this year, she told The Advertiser her cancer was “probably small enough for chemotherapy to kill it off”.

Mr Finlayson said his wife’s diagnosis and 18-month-long health battle had “taken its toll”.

“I haven’t been playing the best footy that I can, which is a bit disappointing,” he told The Morning Show.

“It shows in footy, I’ve tried to put a brave face on through everything but (I’m) just looking at how strong Kelly is, and (I’m) trying to be her rock.

“(I’m) just trying to put a smile on her face out in the football ground for her and soph, while she’s going through such a difficult battle, that’s all I can do.

“There’s more in life than football, and I think that’s where I’m looking at.”

However, the key forward is keen to win against his old team, GWS, on Saturday.

“Hopefully we get the win against my old team,” he said.

Originally published as ‘We’re not out of the woods’: Kellie Finlayson optimistic after scans show her cancer has stopped spreading