Jorja, Angus and Kellie share a special family bond – now they’re pulling together in the wake of Kellie’s brain cancer diagnosis. Photo: Jorja Marsland.
Jorja Marsland’s mum, Kellie, has always told her their family is a triangle.
It’s just the three of them – 20-year-old Jorja, her 17-year-old brother Angus, and 49-year-old Kellie, but that’s not why they’re a triangle.
“It’s because triangles are the strongest shape,” Jorja said.
“She’s the best mum; she’s an amazing person in every way. Our family is really close.
“I don’t think many people are lucky enough to have a relationship like I do with my mum.”
Their triangle has a lot to carry at the moment, however.
Kellie has been diagnosed with an aggressive, incurable form of brain cancer, primary glioma.
She’s undergone two surgeries and has started daily chemotherapy, as well as radiation treatment five days a week so she can spend as much time with her children as possible.
The diagnosis and treatments have changed everything for the Shellharbour family.
Kellie has lost significant vision and struggles with basic tasks such as walking or sending a text message.
Driving is out of the question, so her kids have become her carers – a stark change for the single mum who worked two jobs so she could give her children the world.
“Everything I’ve done in life is to see them happy and succesful,” she said.
“Now I need Jorja’s help just to walk outside.
“As an independent person it’s hard to have them take care of me and help with basic things like showering.
“It feels like it takes part of your personality. I used to send ‘I love you’ texts during the day. I can’t do that now.”
Kellie said parts of her treatment had been very confronting. She wants to raise awareness of how brain cancer can affect the sufferer and those around them. Photo: Jorja Marsland.
Before her diagnosis Kellie had suffered some bad headaches and nausea.
Then, on 4 January she lost the ability to speak, alongside other cognitive functions.
She was taken to hospital where they initially thought she had suffered a stroke.
By 23 January her treating team had found two tumours in her brain. The swelling they caused was almost half the size of one side of her brain.
As much of the tumours as possible was surgically removed, but the surgeons couldn’t get everything.
On 28 January when the family met with Kellie’s treatment team they got more bad news.
Another one-centimetre tumour had already grown, and she needed to begin radiotherapy immediately.
She has been undergoing daily treatments since, and will possibly need more surgery.
Kellie said the treatment itself was confronting, and Jorja said the side effects were tough.
“I didn’t realise how much having the tumours removed would take out of her,” Jorja said.
“She has always done everything for us, and now she can’t send a text message.”
Kellie and her family want to share their story to raise as much awareness of brain cancer as possible.
But the most important thing to Kellie is to make the most of the time she has with her kids.
“We have a mortgage, all of those things – life doesn’t stop after a diagnosis,” Kellie said.
“But my children are everything; all I want to do is spend time with them.
“We still try to laugh and joke and make light of situations so you don’t spiral.
“I just want people to know that your life can change so fast.”
Family friend Amelia Smith has organised a GoFundMe for the Marsland family to help them handle the costs that come with serious illness.
She said Kellie was a kind, hardworking mum who gave her all to the people around her.
She hopes the fundraiser can do more than just provide financial support.
“I want to show her how strong our community is and that people do care,” Amelia said.
“Kellie deserves the chance to survive, thrive, and feel the love of her community behind her.
“Let’s show her the kindness she’s always shared comes back to her tenfold.”
If you would like to contribute, follow this link.
