Port Adelaide star Jeremy Finlayson’s fiancee Kelly Gardner has revealed that regardless of her analysis of stage 4 lung most cancers, the pair nonetheless have some plans for the long run together with having a second youngster.
The AFL world was left in shock after it was revealed Gardner was recognized with the lethal illness simply months after ending her therapy for bowel most cancers, which had emerged shortly after the beginning of their first youngster Sophia in August 2021.
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The pair had celebrated on the finish of the footy season after a 12 months of chemotherapy, radiation and surgical procedures had seen medical doctors believing they’d eliminated the most cancers and that it will not return.
But whereas enjoyable 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 found in her chest cavity, having metastasised from her colon.
While medical doctors stated the most cancers is terminal, the couple aren’t about to surrender and hoping to encourage others given such a devastating analysis.
Gardner admits that the couple don’t speak about their future a lot any extra and have postponed their October marriage ceremony.
But Gardner additionally advised Mark Soderstrom’s The Soda Room podcast they want to have one other youngster.
“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 stated.
“We’ve been going through fertility stuff. We do talk about the future a bit like trying to make Soph a sister or brother,” Finlayson stated.
IVF wouldn’t be an choice till 12 to 18 months after her subsequent chemotherapy spherical however surrogacy and egg donations are different choices the pair are open to.
However, they’ve been going by way of fertility appointments in case it does grow to be a chance.
Gardner revealed that no timeline had been placed on her terminal analysis and that it’s “all about controlling, managing that to a point that they can then do radiotherapy, possible resect”.
But Gardner additionally has referred to as for all Australians to get checked out in the event that they really feel one thing uncommon of their digestive system.
The Australian authorities sends out bowel most cancers testing kits to all Australias over 50 however Gardner was simply 25 when she was recognized.
“If I had got it checked,” Kellie says. “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.”
And simply because she’s taking it in her stride as a lot as she will be able to, Gardner revealed it doesn’t imply she’s not scared.
“Now it’s more so I’m scared to walk into treatment because I know what it’s going to be like, well, to an extent,” Gardner stated.
“I know, that chair is going to it’s gonna be hard to sit in the chair.
“But in terms of being scared for the future, and yeah, yes, yes. But no, because I’d put so much trust in my medical team. I know there’s so many alternative things out there. And if I’m not okay, I know that he still will be with Soph.”
Finlayson added that point is of the essence to make sure the sickness is picked up early to provide folks the most effective likelihood of survival.
“So, her first one (cancer) was three to four years and then this one came back in six months,” he stated.
“That just shows how quickly it can come back – that’s why you’ve got to get the first one real quick.”
He additionally revealed he was in awe of his companion, saying he wouldn’t have been in a position to take it like she has.
“She’s just a super human I guess,” Finlayson stated. “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.”
Listen to full interview on The Soda Room right here.
Source: www.news.com.au
