EIGHTEEN months ago Lizzie Blake’s world could have fallen apart, but the positive grandmother of two was determined to put one foot in front of the other and has never looked back.

For 38 years, the 69-year-old had regular breast check-ups and diagnostic tests, including mammograms and ultrasounds at a specialist breast clinic in Sydney.

Lizzie was considered to be “high risk” due to her mother and aunt both suffering from breast cancer.

On her way to Sydney for her 39th checkup in 2012, a devastating phone call saw Lizzie cancel her appointments and head for home.

Lizzie’s father, Russell Heath, had suffered a major heart attack. He died a few days later.

The new year came and went and Lizzie considered not making another appointment.

“I thought I’ve had checks for 38 years – surely I am past the danger period,” Lizzie said.

“My mother and aunty both had breast cancer in their 50s so I thought I’m past that point.”

In January 2013, Lizzie decided to visit her sister Rossie in Sydney and booked into the breast cancer clinic again while she was there.

“I remember clearly it was the long weekend in January and it was a 44 degree day,” Lizzie said.

“I had the tests done and they said ‘we want you to come back’.

“I said to one of the girls I knew at the clinic ‘is it going to be ok?’.

“She hugged me and said ‘I think they’ve found something’.”

Every year when her results would come back clear, Lizzie would celebrate with a dozen oysters and a glass of champagne at the nearby David Jones food hall.

“I thought I’m not going to miss it this time, so I went anyway even though things were uncertain,” Lizzie said.

After more testing and a range of biopsies, Lizzie’s results were back the following week.

Lizzie was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), a non-aggressive form of cancer, but one that would require a mastectomy.

“It’s funny you know, I was ok,” Lizzie said.

“It wasn’t like my world came crashing down – I just thought it has been detected early and I’m very lucky.”

When her brother was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in his 50s, Lizzie asked him, “why you?” and he replied, “why not?” – a profound comment that stuck with her into her diagnosis of breast cancer.

“I just knew I could cope,” she said.

Lizzie and her husband Tony discussed her options with a surgeon.

“My wonderful and supportive husband suggested the double mastectomy to erase the chance of further breast cancer and I thought it’s the only way to go, so the decision was made,” she said.

Little did they know, it would become an even more important decision and one Lizzie described as a relief.

Lizzie’s double mastectomy took place on February 21, 2013. 

“I was told I wouldn’t need chemotherapy from there,” Lizzie said.

“I got stuck into physio and continued to walk every day – I was intent on living my life.”

Not long after, doctors discovered an aggressive form of cancer in Lizzie’s removed breast tissue – HER2 positive breast cancer.

“They told me I would now need chemotherapy,” Lizzie said.

“They called me a ‘tricky case’ because I was borderline and one doctor wanted me to have chemo and another didn’t.

“But we went ahead with it and I had my treatment through Tamworth and can’t speak highly enough of the new cancer centre and its staff.”

Lizzie lost her hair and fingernails during the treatment but still she remained positive.

“My hair started to fall out in tufts and Tony got me a glass of wine and said let’s cut your hair – so he shaved it off on the verandah,” Lizzie said.

“My sister Rossie and brother-in-law Gordon were unbelievable throughout. Rossie came to my appointments and went wig shopping with me, where I got two new wigs.”

Soon after, another hurdle was put in Lizzie’s way. One form of chemotherapy was making her extremely sick and she was hospitalised.

“I was very, very sick, so they decided to take me off that form of treatment,” Lizzie said.

“I have continued with Herceptin for 18 months and will take Tamoxifen for 10 years.

“I feel positive though – I know I’ve beaten it.”

Lizzie said she has drawn her strength from her husband, friends and family.

“The support I have received has been absolutely amazing, I’m so lucky to have my husband, he has been there for every moment,” Lizzie said.

“Each and every phone call and text message from friends and family meant so much and I’m so thankful for it all.

“I also think walking has been my saviour. The only time I didn’t walk in 18 months was the week I was sick – it’s my solace.”

Eighteen months on, Lizzie continues to walk every day and live her life to the fullest.

“I’m a firm believer it’s the quality of life not quantity that’s important – make the most of every day,” Lizzie said.

“I’m also a real believer in the power of the mind – it hasn’t been hard to be positive when everyone else has been throughout.

“I never felt ‘why me?’ – my brother inspired that all those years ago, he never complained.”

Lizzie’s advice is to remain vigilant about health check-ups and testing as early detection is the most successful key to survival.

The Gunnedah Breast Cancer Support Group meets on the first Saturday of the month from 3pm at the education centre in the Gunnedah Hospital grounds.