'I saw 15 to 18 months, then death': Clare woman marks three years of living with incurable brain cancer
Trish Blake, a woman diagnosed with aggressive glioblastoma, is marking three years since her initial terminal prognosis of 15 to 18 months. She shares her story to encourage others facing similar health challenges to remain active and grateful for everyday moments.
Why it matters
The story provides a human-interest perspective on living with terminal illness and the importance of mental resilience in medical recovery.
Trish Blake at Spanish Point, Co Clare. Picture: Eamon Ward
A woman living with rare brain cancer marks three years this week since hearing she had 15 to 18 months to live, as she urged other patients to keep moving through life.
Trish Blake knew nothing about brain cancer when she first heard those words.
“I had nobody to compare myself with, so I saw 15 to 18 months, then death. I didn’t see beyond 18 months,” she said.
Now, instead of a fantastical bucket list, she feels lucky to mark ordinary moments.
“I’ve had three family weddings since my diagnosis. There are four new babies into our family, and every time something like that happens I think, ‘I’m so grateful’,” she said.
“I think ‘it could have been your husband and your kids at this [wedding] on their own'.”
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