‘Buy me a lottery ticket’: Kellie Finlayson shares surprising update amid cancer battle

The wife of AFL star Jeremy Finlayson has shared some rare positive news as she continues her heartbreaking cancer battle.

Kellie Finlayson is in the fight of her life against terminal lung cancer, but she says she’s received some positive news.

The wife of Port Adelaide AFL star Jeremy Finlayson has been documenting her journey after being diagnosed with bowel and lung cancer, all while trying to settle into life with her young daughter.

The AFL world was left in shock after it was revealed Gardner was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer just months after finishing her treatment for bowel cancer, which had emerged shortly after the birth of their first child Sophia in August 2021.

Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The pair had celebrated at the end of the footy season after a year of chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries had seen doctors believing they had removed the cancer and that it would not return.

But while relaxing over Christmas, Kellie felt a tightening in her chest.

After ruling out Covid, the couple’s nightmare returned after a mass “a bit bigger than a tennis ball” was discovered in her chest cavity, having metastasised from her colon.

While doctors said the cancer is terminal, the couple aren’t about to give up and hoping to inspire others given such a devastating diagnosis.

Port Adelaide star Jeremy Finlayson, Kellie Finlayson and their daughter Sophia. Picture: Tom Huntley

Jeremy and Kellie tied the knot earlier this month in a surprise wedding and are still keen to add to their family of three with another child.

“I would do it this year if I could, but obviously I can’t bring up a newborn right now, but, yeah, (having another baby is the goal),” Gardner told The Soda Room podcast.

As she undergoes treatment, Kellie has been sharing her cancer journey in an effort to educate others about early detection, and she had good rare good news.

After meeting popstar Ed Sheeran at his concert in Adelaide this week, Kellie said her good fortune had continued.

“In line with this weeks theme of ‘lucky girl syndrome’ my tumour markers are tracking below the suspicion levels, chemo is working better than expected & the cancer is unable to thrive!!!” she wrote on Instagram.

“Someone buy me a f** lottery ticket.”

Kellie Finlayson has been documenting her cancer journey. Photo: Instagram.

Kellie says her cancer outlook is looking positive. Photo: Instagam.

Kellie has been honoured for her bravery in publicly sharing her cancer story.

Days after her wedding, she was recognised with the Inspiration Award at the Adelaide Advertiser Woman of the Year awards.

“I don’t want anyone else to go through what I’ve gone through, and if I can save one person’s life from an early detection … that’s all I’m really here for,” she said after accepting the award.

“It’s easier spoken about than hidden away.

“Any symptoms that you ever have, trust your gut, talk to your doctor, follow up with them,” she said.

“If they tell you it’s nothing, find a new doctor, they’re not the one.”

Jeremy and Kellie tied the knot in a surprise wedding. Picture: @kelliefinlayson_ /Instagram

Jeremy and Kellie at their home. Picture: Tom Huntley

Gardner has said no timeline had been put on her terminal diagnosis and that it’s “all about controlling, managing that to a point that they can then do radiotherapy, possible resect”.

But Gardner also called for all Australians to get checked out if they feel something unusual in their digestive system.

“If I had got it checked,” Kellie told The Soda Room podcast.

“If I had got all of my tummy problems checked and not just been thinking I had a lactose intolerance like every other Joe, Dick and Harry these days. If I had got it checked.

“You hear cancer and you attach it to a 60-year-old. You don’t attach it to a 25-year-old who is quite healthy, who runs marathons and who just had a baby.

“I was a fit, young mum. You just don’t attach it to that.

“Like I was a fit young mum. You just don’t attach it to that. I was an angry woman.”

Finlayson was glowing of his partner, saying he wouldn’t have been able to fight and take the news like she has.

“She’s just a super human I guess,” Finlayson said. “Just for someone who go through what she’s done. And then hit it head on …

“I know what I’d be doing, I’d be curled up in bed and sorry for myself, but she wants to get out there and help people and like she’s fighting for a life really.

“I’m still in denial. Me listening to her, it’s like she works for the cancer council or something. but I’ve always been in denial since she got diagnosed the first 18 months ago. I’ve been in denial and still am because we’re so young. I actually don’t know how she can do it, really.”

Originally published as ‘Buy me a lottery ticket’: Kellie Finlayson shares surprising update amid cancer battle