Kellie Finlayson reveals how her husband's footy teammates made her wedding dream come true when it was almost ruined by her cancer battle
The act of generosity, led by veteran midfielder Travis Boak, made her dream wedding possible when the couple's finances were stretched thin by chemotherapy and hospital stays.
Kellie and husband Jeremy Finlayson had planned to marry in October 2023. But everything changed when Kellie's oncologist gave her the devastating news - her bowel cancer had returned and spread to her lungs. It was terminal.
Doctors warned she could lose her hair in the coming weeks, prompting the couple to move the ceremony forward.
With just over three weeks to organise it, their wedding took place at Tennyson Beach in South Australia, surrounded by close friends and family.
Kellie never thought her dream ring would be part of the day.
The couple were engaged to be married but had to rush the proceedings after Kellie received the life-changing news she had cancer
'When we knew we had to act quickly, I didn't even think about things like the ring anymore,' she said.
'It just wasn't something we could afford.'
That's when Jeremy's teammates stepped in. They pooled together to buy the exact ring Kellie had once hoped for.
'It meant the world to me,' she said. 'They didn't just show up for Jeremy, they showed up for me, too.'
The day was full of emotion. Sophia, their 19-month-old daughter, walked down the aisle holding a bouquet of daisies.
Kellie followed arm in arm with her father and maid of honour.
'There wasn't a dry eye in the room,' she said.
Jeremy watched on, overwhelmed. 'Watching Kell walk down the aisle with her dad was just breathtaking,' he said. 'One of the most precious moments of my life.'
Kellie continues to fight the deadly disease and is a mentor, source of inspiration and ambassador for all others battling cancer
He made a quiet promise to their daughter: 'I made a vow to Sophia to take care of her while her mummy can't, and I'll continue to do so for the rest of my life.'
Kellie was first diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer in 2021 at just 25.
At the time, she was three months postpartum and mistook her symptoms for normal recovery.
It wasn't until she noticed blood in her stool that she sought medical help.
Scans uncovered a large bowel blockage. Surgery and chemotherapy followed.
For a brief moment, there was hope the cancer had gone.
But by Christmas 2022, the disease had metastasised to her lungs.
The diagnosis crushed plans for more children. Chemotherapy left her infertile.
Kellie and Jeremy tried to grow their family through surrogacy. Seven attempts failed.
She details the grief, pain and resilience in her memoir There Must Be More.
In it, she describes the physical side effects of treatment, including terrifying anaphylactic reactions.
She recounts the emotional toll of missing moments with Sophia and spending anniversaries in hospital.
Kellie is now an ambassador for the Jodi Lee Foundation, urging Australians to take bowel symptoms seriously.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BreakingNews.ie
3 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Singer Jessie J returned to hospital with ‘infection' and ‘fluid on my lungs'
Singer Jessie J has revealed she returned to hospital where an 'infection' and 'a little fluid' on her lungs were discovered. The 37-year-old, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, said she has since discharged herself from the hospital where she was treated after breast cancer surgery just weeks ago, revealing in July that she had since seen 'no cancer spread'. Advertisement In a post on Instagram, the Price Tag singer said: 'Six weeks post surgery and I was back in the same ward I was after my surgery. Not expected or planned. 'I had and still have symptoms that pointed towards a blood clot on the lung, it is not a blood clot thank god. 'They ran a lot of tests, which ended up showing I have an infection (still trying to figure out what) and a little fluid on my lungs. Jessie J said the hospital visit was a 'reminder to myself to slow down' (Jordan Pettitt/PA) 'Finding it hard to breathe in, but I discharged myself last night (I hate being in hospital) and will continue the investigation as an outpatient.' Advertisement She went on to say it was 'frustrating' that her career plans had to change due to her surgery and hospital visits, and added that she had been 'working so hard to get to this point and excited to do it all'. Cornish said: 'I know for me, the true hard journey of this whole thing physically was the day I went into surgery. 'The recovery physically is far from quick or easy, and mentally it's been the most challenging time for me, especially as a mum with a toddler and being unable to be the mother I usually am.' The star said her visit to hospital was a 'reminder to myself to slow down' even though she felt she was already at a slow pace. Advertisement Cornish added: 'This isn't a speedy recovery and it isn't meant to be. 'As an ADHD Aries, fire breathing dragon t-rex, I can do it myself, I'm always ok woman. That slow pace has been a hard reality to accept to be honest. 'I love moving and working and being up and active but I can't be right now, and that's what it is, and I am finding the strength knowing that all can be adjusted to align with a slower pace and the support of my very small inner support circle.' The London-born singer welcomed her son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, in 2023, having had a miscarriage in November 2021. Advertisement She has battled with ill-health throughout her life, having been diagnosed with a heart condition aged eight, suffering a minor stroke aged 18 and having briefly gone deaf in 2020. The singer-songwriter has had three number one songs in the UK singles chart with Domino, Price Tag and Bang Bang. She was awarded four Mobo awards in 2011 including best UK act, best newcomer, best song for Do It Like A Dude and best album with Who You Are, and won the Brit Award for rising star in 2011.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Singer Jessie J returned to hospital with ‘infection' and ‘fluid on my lungs'
Singer Jessie J has revealed she returned to hospital where an 'infection' and 'a little fluid' on her lungs were discovered. The 37-year-old, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, said she has since discharged herself from the hospital where she was treated after breast cancer surgery just weeks ago, revealing in July that she had since seen 'no cancer spread'. In a post on Instagram, the Price Tag singer said: 'Six weeks post surgery and I was back in the same ward I was after my surgery. Not expected or planned. 'I had and still have symptoms that pointed towards a blood clot on the lung, it is not a blood clot thank god. 'They ran a lot of tests, which ended up showing I have an infection (still trying to figure out what) and a little fluid on my lungs. 'Finding it hard to breathe in, but I discharged myself last night (I hate being in hospital) and will continue the investigation as an outpatient.' She went on to say it was 'frustrating' that her career plans had to change due to her surgery and hospital visits, and added that she had been 'working so hard to get to this point and excited to do it all'. Cornish said: 'I know for me, the true hard journey of this whole thing physically was the day I went into surgery. 'The recovery physically is far from quick or easy, and mentally it's been the most challenging time for me, especially as a mum with a toddler and being unable to be the mother I usually am.' The star said her visit to hospital was a 'reminder to myself to slow down' even though she felt she was already at a slow pace. Cornish added: 'This isn't a speedy recovery and it isn't meant to be. 'As an ADHD Aries, fire breathing dragon t-rex, I can do it myself, I'm always ok woman. That slow pace has been a hard reality to accept to be honest. 'I love moving and working and being up and active but I can't be right now, and that's what it is, and I am finding the strength knowing that all can be adjusted to align with a slower pace and the support of my very small inner support circle.' The London-born singer welcomed her son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, in 2023, having had a miscarriage in November 2021. She has battled with ill-health throughout her life, having been diagnosed with a heart condition aged eight, suffering a minor stroke aged 18 and having briefly gone deaf in 2020. The singer-songwriter has had three number one songs in the UK singles chart with Domino, Price Tag and Bang Bang. She was awarded four Mobo awards in 2011 including best UK act, best newcomer, best song for Do It Like A Dude and best album with Who You Are, and won the Brit Award for rising star in 2011.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Tragic new details of mum's 'magic mushroom death' revealed
A woman who passed away after drinking tea laced with magic mushrooms had been dabbling with the psychedelic fungi for years before she is believed to have died of 'wood-lover paralysis'. New details on the tragic death of personal trainer Rachael Dixon can now be revealed after the findings of a coronial investigation were made public. Ms Dixon, 52, collapsed hours after ingesting the toxic drink during a retreat hosted by self-proclaimed healer Deanne Mathews at Soulbarn in Clunes, near Ballarat, on April 13 last year. In delivering her findings, Coroner Audrey Jamieson stated that although she could not be certain the drink killed Ms Dixon, she believed it likely contributed to her death via a rare condition related to the mushrooms. Australian Psychedelic Society Doctor Simon Beck told the coroner he believed Ms Dixon's cause of death appeared consistent with symptoms linked to wood-lover paralysis toxidrome. Studies into the condition found those affected can start to become weak anywhere between 10 minutes to 18 hours after consuming the mushrooms. The weakness usually affects the limbs, and manifests at times in an inability to stand or walk, difficulty swallowing, or breathing difficulties. In some cases, the weakness came in 'waves', the study found. The court heard Ms Dixon had been 'very excited to go to the retreat', with her son telling the court she told him 'she thought this was going to be her big breakthrough moment'. Ms Dixon had struggled with her mental health for years, but had been reluctant to use prescribed medications to deal with it, the court heard. 'Rachael attributed her mental ill health to unresolved childhood trauma,' the coroner stated. 'There is no evidence that Rachael attended a medical practitioner, had received a diagnosis or was prescribed medication to manage the same. Indeed, (her son) recalled that Rachael was averse to pharmaceutical and recreational drugs.' Instead, Ms Dixon medicated herself with alcohol before turning to magic mushrooms. 'Even though Rachael was against drugs, (her son) believes that she saw 'magic mushrooms' as 'a natural thing'. In the years leading up to her death, Rachael experimented increasingly with magic mushrooms,' Coroner Jamieson stated. The court heard Ms Dixon met Ms Mathews to 'learn Reiki and to heal' about eight years before her death. In a booklet, Ms Dixon wrote that her primary goal was 'no binge drinking alcohol and food'. The court heard she perceived psilocybin - the active compound in magic mushrooms - as a 'means to address and resolve her childhood trauma'. 'Evidence indicates that Deanne coached and guided Rachael through microdosing, including on one occasion, instructing her to consume more psilocybin during a microdosing session,' the coroner stated. On the day of the fatal 'healing session' the court heard Mathews sourced the magic mushrooms for the group and ground them into a powder. Participants began the ritual by ingesting blue lotus, to help 'relax the body in preparation for the journey', the court heard. They consumed rice with a 'small sprinkle' of mushroom and performed a round of breath work before consuming the mushroom tea. A second cup of tea was consumed about 90 minutes later. The court heard Ms Dixon was no stranger to the sessions and had attended one with Mathews at Soulbarn every three months in the last 18 months of her life. According to Mathews, Ms Dixon had consumed the mushrooms on each occasion 'without any problem'. But Ms Dixon's son told the court he recalled differently. 'According to him, Rachael told him about her most recent experience at Soulbarn: she said she had a bad experience, went to a dark place, and didn't feel great afterwards. Rachael believed this was because "they had upped her dose of psilocybin",' the coroner stated. But Ms Dixon mostly believed that the mushrooms were helping her with her problems. 'I think they were definitely helping her, she seemed to be getting better,' her son told the court. 'I knew she was getting better because she would stop drinking as much, she would always tell me how relaxed and how much better she felt within herself and about life.' At the commencement of the deadly session, a fellow participant noticed that 'Rachael was on a high, she was welcoming others and giving them hugs'. She repeated her intention of: 'I'm meeting myself, I'm going home', the court heard. At about 6.15pm, she consumed her first serve of mushroom tea, and at 7.45pm, consumed the second from a small bowl with a spoon. At about 11.30pm, participants noticed Ms Dixon was under the effect of the tea. The court heard Ms Dixon called out to Mathews and 'was crying'. 'Deanne comforted her and noticed she remained 'under the effect of the mushroom',' the coroner stated. 'Deanne attempted to lift Rachael to her feet however, she could not walk. Another participant tried to assist Deanne, however, Rachael fell – "it was a decent fall" from approximately 50 centimetres height.' The court heard Mathews formed the belief that Ms Dixon simply 'needed some fresh air' and so moved her to the kitchen and opened the back door to let in 'fresh cold air'. 'There is little evidence from other participants regarding the events of the evening – noting that they were under the influence of psychedelics at the time,' the coroner found. 'One participant recalls that at approximately 11.20pm, she heard Rachael say "help".' While paramedics were called at 11.53pm, the court heard Mathews made no mention of magic mushrooms being consumed. 'I was holding a ceremony and I don't think someone, she's not responding,' she told the emergency operator. When asked 'do you know what happened to her?', Mathews replied 'I don't know, she was just saying she couldn't breathe', the court heard. 'Deanne was "not too sure" if Rachael was breathing and was instructed to commence cardiopulmonary resuscitation,' the coroner stated. At about 12.45am, paramedics declared Ms Dixon deceased. A police search of Ms Dixon's home later found a small container with vegetative substance – believed to be mushrooms. A booklet supplied by Mathews, titled The Deep Self 28 Day Microdosing Experience, was found next to it. Forensic experts told the coroner there was no post-mortem evidence of any injuries which may have caused or contributed to Ms Dixon's death. On November 18 last year Victoria Police arrested Matthews in relation to trafficking in a drug of dependence. She was formally interviewed and released pending summons to appear at court. On March 13 she appeared before the Bacchus Marsh Magistrates' Court where she was found guilty. She received a fine of $3,000 but was not convicted. In concluding her findings, Coroner Jamieson noted expert observations that interest in and the use of magic mushrooms were on the rise here and internationally, driven in part by developments such as Australia legalising the prescription of psilocybin to treat certain conditions in 2023. 'This raises a concerning possibility that Victorian coroners will encounter more deaths in a setting of magic mushroom use in future. Indeed, this may already be occurring,' she stated. 'People have used magic mushrooms for a broad range of reasons for (at least) decades in Australia, despite any laws prohibiting this, and I am not so naïve as to believe I could propose any interventions that would change this reality.' While the coroner made no formal recommendations, she warned people to be aware of the possible dangers around consuming magic mushrooms. 'I have concluded that at present the most appropriate intervention to consider is user education,' the coroner stated. 'People who use magic mushrooms and/or (as in the retreat Rachael attended) facilitate others' use of magic mushrooms should be aware that, even if rare, harms including deaths have been associated with magic mushroom consumption, and if possible, they should put measures in place to recognise and respond to these harms if they occur.'
