A Valley Of Courage Earl Neilsen

Earl Neilsen’s journey through cancer was one of those life-changing upheavals that began in silence and then roared to life with devastating force.
Diagnosed in November 2019 with stage three rectal cancer, Earl recalls how his world turned upside down in an instant. What started as subtle symptoms, bloating, blood in the stool, and a change in his bowel habits, culminated in a diagnosis that felt like “a ton of bricks” landing on his family. Yet, amid the shock and devastation, Earl found his resilience, humour, and an enduring sense of purpose.
“It was probably the worst day of my life at that stage,” Earl said, reflecting on the moment he and his wife, Stephanie, were ushered into a small room to hear the news.
“We were blindsided. Nothing sinister had shown up in scans or blood tests, so we weren’t prepared for what was coming.”
But his doctor’s proactive decision to order a colonoscopy based on similar symptoms the doctor himself had experienced proved lifesaving.
Radiation therapy began immediately to shrink a 5cm tumour, followed by chemotherapy and then surgery in April 2020 to remove his rectum and affected lymph nodes. The journey didn’t end there: more chemotherapy followed, alongside the challenges of living with an ileostomy bag, followed by yet another surgery for reversal.
These important chapters are now a blur to Earl, a coping mechanism he believes helped him to move forward. Four years later, with his port-a-cath finally removed and the five-year mark behind him, Earl has embraced what he calls his “new normal”.
But his road wasn’t without its potholes. The physical aftermath of his surgeries included neuropathy—a persistent pins-and-needles sensation in his hands and feet—and a delicate digestive system.
“Having no rectum can be problematic at times,” Earl said.
“When you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go.
“It’s about being prepared, squeezing tight, and shuffling quick.”
Yet, he refuses to let these challenges define him.
“My marathon running, lead guitar playing, and ballet careers are over,” he jokes, “but I can still shank a golf ball and drop a barra with the best of them.”
Earl’s humour and openness have been his saving grace, not only for himself but for those around him. Early in his journey, he decided to break the stigma around what he cheekily calls the “dirty cancer.” One day, he hung a pair of undies on his clothesline and posted on social media, “Bumkin has a bit of a bum thing.” What started as a lighthearted gesture turned into a community movement, with friends hanging out their own undies in solidarity and using the hashtag #undiesoutforearl. His cricket club took it a step further, surprising him by piling out of a bus in custom budgie smugglers emblazoned with his face.
“It’s amazing what happens when you’re open about it,” Earl said.
“People start talking, and that’s what breaks the stigma.”
The importance of community and connection was a lesson Earl learned long before his diagnosis, thanks to a dear friend, Ammie Scott.
Ammie, who passed away from sarcoma complications, had taught Earl the value of openness during tough times.
“She let people in,” Earl said. “That was the biggest thing she taught me, if you need help, there are people who want to help. They just need to know.”
It was this same spirit of connection that brought Earl to the Trudy Crowley Foundation.
He first met the foundation’s director Jacquie Camilleri at the Icon Cancer Centre in Mackay. Jacquie, volunteering as the “tea lady,” was an unexpected source of reassurance and informal counselling during Earl’s treatments.
“Little did I know I was getting the support I didn’t even realise I needed,” Earl said.
“Those moments kept me positive and motivated.”
After his first Touch of Teel Soiree for the foundation, where he shared his story, Earl’s passion and impact were undeniable. The Foundation invited him to become an ambassador, a role he took on with zeal.
Earlier this year, he was employed as the Foundation’s men’s support worker, a position born out of the need to reach more men facing cancer.
“Cancer doesn’t discriminate, it affects all genders, all ages,” Earl said.
“The Foundation’s doors have always been open to everyone, and now we’re making a concerted effort to bring men into the conversation.”
Through speaking engagements, toolbox talks, and informal gatherings, Earl has become a trusted advocate and entertainer, delivering messages with humour and heart. Alongside his friend Clay Watts, a pancreatic cancer survivor and former SAS officer, Earl has toured male-dominated industries, sharing their stories and driving home Bridgeen Doherty’s mantra, “Know your body, know your normal.”
For Earl, the impact is personal.
“As a survivor, I can share my story, my symptoms, and side effects,” he said.
“But I also listen and learn because everyone’s journey is different. Cancer changes your life forever, no matter the stage or type. But there’s hope in community, in celebrating the small wins, and in finding the funny side of a terrible situation.”
Earl also leads monthly support groups at the Trudy Crowley Foundation’s centre, one for men and another called the Ripple Effect for carers of cancer patients. These informal gatherings are a space to share information, swap stories, and, most importantly, find support.
“It’s about creating a safe space where people can feel understood,” Earl said.
“I’ve been there, so when I say, ‘I get it,’ I truly mean it.”
Although Earl never met Trudy Crowley herself, he feels deeply connected to her legacy.
“The Foundation has an energy and a passion that can only be described as heavenly,” he said.
“It was there for me in my darkest moments, and now I want to be there for others in theirs. That’s how we make a difference.”
As he often reminds those he speaks to, “Life might not go back to the old normal, but you can find a new one—and it can still be pretty damn good.”

‍

Earl captained a ‘Survivor’s XI cricket team in 2024, featuring current and former cricket players who have all been affected by cancer

‍
Earl (right) with Teharnee Peel (left) and Nancy Anderson, who were the 2023 Touch of Teel soiree guest speakers

‍
Earl as a Trudy Crowley Foundation ambassador talks to the Bunnings Paget crew on cancers that commonly affect men

‍
Earl staying positive throughout his treatment

‍