Kellie Finlayson has returned home from hospital, providing a health update amid her four year cancer battle.
The wife of AFL star Jeremy Finlayson – who is battling stage 4 bowel and lung cancer – filmed herself lifting up the side of her bralette in her full length mirror to show off scars from her most recent surgery.
Aside from two small incision scars on her side, the 28-year-old looked bright and well on Monday as she posed in a pair of blue jeans and the purple bra.
The clip stood out in stark contrast to footage of Kellie lying in a hospital bed in the same post, with her blonde hair tied back in braids, dark circles under her eyes, and tubes running around her body: ‘Me a week ago,’ she wrote.
In July, Kellie confirmed the sad news she would have to resume chemotherapy to quickly get on top of the cancer, which had started growing again after she stopped chemo and radiation therapy in favour of natural and alternative treatments.
‘Have you thought about alternative treatments such as what is on offer in Mexico or India? I’d be reluctant to undergo I treatment here,’ an account called @thenatureofhealing commented on her post, sparking outrage among cancer survivors and their loved ones.
Kellie Finlayson, 28, (pictured) has returned home from hospital, providing a health update amid her four-year cancer battle on Monday
Kellie was diagnosed with stage four terminal bowel cancer in August 2021, three months after giving birth to her daughter Sophia.
She underwent several surgeries and chemotherapy after her initial stage 3 diagnosis worsened to stage 4.
‘Just over a week ago I was having a VATS wedge resection on my right lung to remove Mets and send off tissue to pathology in hope for more answers/better treatment plans,’ she wrote alongside her health update this week.
A VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery) resection involves a minimally invasive surgery to remove a small, wedge-shaped piece of lung tissue.
Kellie had metastic cancer tissue, which are the cancer cells that have spread from the primary tumor to other parts of the body, removed.
She was initially diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer at age 25, a diagnosis considered terminal, with only a 14 per cent survival rate.
In December 2022, after experiencing chest pain, scans revealed that her cancer had metastasised to her lungs, resulting in Kellie’s terminal diagnosis.
But the young mum remains hopeful, and shared regular updates as the treatment initially showed positive effects in mid-2023, though the cancer remained terminal.
‘Have you thought about alternative treatments such as what is on offer in Mexico or India ? I’d be reluctant to undergo I treatment here,’ an account called @thenatureofhealing commented on her post, sparking outrage
The suggestion that Kellie ditch conventional cancer treatments for alternative and natural therapies administered in ‘Mexico or India’ provoked a very strong response from her followers
In January last year, Kellie stopped her chemotherapy and radiation treatments altogether to put her trust in natural therapies and alternative medicine.
Sadly the cancer resumed growing, prompting further consultations and another round of chemotherapy in July.
Responding to the suggestion that she once again forego conventional cancer treatments in Australia for alternative and natural medicines administered in ‘Mexico or India,’ today, Kellie said: ‘If I had never ending $, I’d go for sure.’
The suggestion, and the influencer’s reply, understandably provoked a strong response from cancer survivors.
The topic of alternative cancer treatments is also top of mind for many Australians who have recently binged hit Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar, about infamous cancer fraudster Belle Gibson who promoted curing cancer with a healthy diet.
‘Are you a cancer survivor? I am. These suggestions are honestly hard to read. Good intentions I’m sure,’ one person responded.
‘Did you just say [you’re] reluctant to undergo treatment here[?]. I am a cancer survivor and find your comments offensive and actually really dangerous,’ added a second.
‘My son had all hos[pital] treatments at 22-years-old for acute lymphoblastic lymphoma and now he is living a brilliant life after two years of medical treatments,’ penned the mother of another survivor.
Kellie was diagnosed at age 25 in August 2021, just three months after giving birth to her and Jeremy’s daughter Sophia
In January 2024, Kellie stopped her chemotherapy and radiation treatments altogether to put her trust in natural therapies and alternative medicine
‘Australian cancer treatments are very good and do mix in research from scientists around the world,’ she added. ‘We saw that in action.’
‘I’ve had soooo many people checking in to see how I’m doing, thankyou!!!’ Kellie continued in her post.
‘And honestly, I’m so fine. Which I know is incredible given the major surgery I’ve just undergone, and I know not everyone is as lucky.
‘But hey, I’ll take the wins when I can get them in this never ending experience.’
The hospital stay for her resection surgery came as she and her footy star husband chalked up a major life milestone – their two-year wedding anniversary.
Kellie posted an Instagram story last Wednesday from her hospital bed to mark the occasion, while Port Adelaide key forward Jeremy shared a family beach shot with the couple’s daughter Sophia.
She has said she hopes to manage the illness with treatments that may allow her to see Sophia’s 21st birthday.
The family also decided to sell their Adelaide home at auction for $915,000 to accommodate her increasing need for in-home care and medical equipment
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