When Lisa Kardaris visited her doctor for a routine check-up on a minor genetic heart issue in November last year, she expected the quick ultrasound would barely interrupt her day.
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But instead, she was told that there was a tumour in her heart, meaning the 37-year-old mother of two would need to undergo complicated surgery and a lengthy process of rehabilitation.
"I thought I was just going to be in and out of the cardiology appointment - I was planning to go shopping afterwards," Ms Kardaris said.
"But I had a benign tumour in my aortic valve," she said. "And unfortunately the best option was open-heart surgery."
"I will never forget being told that ... it was a bit of a shock."
With pre-existing hypertension, or high blood pressure, Ms Kardaris was significantly younger than the majority of candidates for open-heart surgery. But less than a month later, her chest was opened up so that complicated surgery could be performed on her heart to remove the tumour.
With two children aged three and four, the lengthy process of surgery and rehabilitation was challenging for the young Canberra-based family.
"It was hard for [the kids] having mum in the hospital. They didn't come and see me as we thought it would be too hard for them," Ms Kardaris said.
"Luckily I have supportive family. My biggest concern was looking after [my kids], but my family stepped in and helped."
Six months later, Ms Kardaris is preparing to take on the City2Surf in August, simply to prove that she still can - a goal she has been planning since she found out about her tumour.
"I did [the City2Surf] for the first time last year. I'm not a big runner but have just started in the last year, as I'm always trying to look after my health because of my high blood pressure," Ms Kardaris said.
"I think as soon as I knew I had to have [open-heart] surgery I had the goal that I would try to do it again," she said. "I asked the physio in hospital if it was realistic, and she said it should be.
After going three months without exercise, Ms Kardaris has slowly regained her strength through gentle exercise and physiotherapy, and is now back to feeling "pretty much normal".
"I still have a little pain around my chest, and my muscles around my sternum can be a little uncomfortable," she said.
"Last year I ran the whole way, but this year ... I'll be happy if I run halfway," she said.
"I think I always try to just get back in there."
This year's run takes place on August 13. Enter The Sun-Herald City2Surf, presented by Westpac.
