Rewritten Me

This is a story of “balls to the wall” self-advocacy, tiptoeing around surgeons' offices and swimming in circles!Trigger warning: this podcast contains discussions about metastatic breast cancer, which may be distressing or triggering for some listeners.In this episode the wonderful Katy Morrison shares with us the shock of her stage four (metastatic) breast cancer diagnosis, and her experience of living with the disease including the challenges she’s faced advocating for herself.Katy talks about her decision to have a mastectomy after it was initially recommended by her breast surgeon. She tells us how she was refused immediate reconstruction – or removal of her healthy breast – as it was deemed a “waste of resources” because she has incurable breast cancer.Katy’s single mastectomy resulted in significant asymmetry and severe back pain that negatively impacted her quality of life.Despite the difficulties she’s encountered, Katy has a positive outlook and emphasises the importance of finding joy and humour in life. And advocating for yourself!This is part one of Katy’s story, recorded in 2023.Subscribe to hear the follow-up episode and find out whether Katy had her reconstruction.Links for this episode:Katy's InstagramMake 2nds Count (UK)Secondary Sisters Instagram (UK)McGrath Metastatic Breast Care NursesWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInIf you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Welcome to season 2!In the first episode of this new season, Luan talks to Specialist Breast Surgeon, Dr Kylie Snook, about aesthetic flat closure. Also known as optimal flat closure or ‘going flat’, it is a reconstruction option that can be considered alongside implant and autologous/‘own tissue’ reconstruction after mastectomy.Taken from an Instagram Breast Recon 101 Live Q&A session, Luan and Dr Kylie’s discussion provides valuable insights for women considering aesthetic flat closure, including:Impact of previous surgeries & treatmentsEffect on chest shape & perspectiveRecovery time compared to breast reconstruction.Corrective/revision surgeries‘Dog ears’ & aesthetic outcomesScars & scar placementLymphoedemaBreast reconstruction after going flatHaving an open discussion with your surgeonSend an DM to Luan for a copy of the BCNA research referred to in this episode.Links for this episode:Instagram Live video of this episodeNot Putting On a Shirt websiteFlat Life Australia Facebook groupBreast SurgANZ websiteDM me on Instagram for a link to the BCNA report referenced in this episode.Where you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInLuan Lawrenson-Woods devised the Instagram Breast Recon 101 Live Q&A series and hosted the 2022 series on Pink Hope's Instagram account as a volunteer ambassador. If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon. Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Robyn has the BRCA2 variant and had a risk-reducing mastectomy with implant-based reconstruction in 2019. She experienced side effects that impacted her quality of life and made the decision to have the implants removed and ‘go flat’. When a plastic surgeon told Robyn that she would look “aesthetically unpleasing”, she knew she had to self-advocate.Robyn's story is one of courage - to challenge and re-think her own initial reconstruction choice and then to stand up for what was right for her and her health.Luan and Robyn talk about:Hereditary cancer riskRobyn’s decision to have a mastectomyWhy she had implantsHer decision to remove themFinding the right surgeonReconstruction framing biasThe Australian flat community'Flat' research with Flinders University Resources for this episode:Informed consentBreast Recon 101 Live Q&A video: aesthetic flat closure with Dr Kylie SnookFlat Life Australia Facebook groupFlinders researchNot Putting On A ShirtNot Just a Linear Closure: Aesthetic Flat Closure after MastectomyWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedIn If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon. Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)

BRA-va art is a first-of-its-kind global Instagram campaign that uses exercise to promote BRA Day (Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day). Luan launched the campaign in 2022 and Rori Zura picked up the BRA-va art baton when she ran around New York in a pink striped ‘where’s Waldo’ top as she made BRA-va art! Rori has always been a fitness enthusiast. When she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer during COVID, exercise was a key concern and topic of discussion with her surgeon. They encouraged Rori to keep moving to support her treatment. This advice was surprising to Rori – why didn’t everyone know of the benefits of exercise for cancer patients? Rori is now a certified Cancer Exercise Specialist and founder of Foobs and Fitness, which encourages people to live a more active lifestyle before, during, and after diagnosis. Rori’s passion is to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone, and with her they don't. She has unwavering enthusiasm, creativity and joyful outlook. And she's an awesome battle buddy! In this episode Rori shares her story of her treatment and implant reconstruction, and how her diagnosis set her off on a new career path. And she talks about the BRA-va art challenges she’s created so that you can have even more fun taking part this year! Luan and Rori also talk about tips for making BRA-va art and how you can be help put BRA Day on the map on 18th October.Listen in and then join them for #BRADay2023!Links for this episode:BRA-va art InstagramBRA-va art websiteFoobs & Fitness BRA-va art challengesFoobs & Fitness InstagramWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedIn If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon. Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)

There's lots of free information about breast cancer and reconstruction on Instagram. But how do you know it’s factually correct? Dr Liz O’Riordan is known as the breast surgeon who has breast cancer. Liz talks about why she uses Instagram to create evidence-based content about breast cancer and how you can check the accuracy of online information. And she talks about how even she found it difficult to ask her doctor about a information she'd seen on social media.If you’re a patient, advocate or medical professional who uses social media – or is thinking of using it – this episode for you! Luan and Liz cover a lot, including:Online communityDoctors using social mediaThe CRAP testAI & Chat GPTDigital literacyEquity of representationResponsibilities of advocacy And Liz talks about her new book, ‘Under the Knife: Life Lessons from the Operating Theatre’, and how its publication was community-funded through her Instagram account.Links for this episode:Listen to Dr Minas Chrysopoulo talk about the Breast Advocate® app.Donna Ashworth ‘Loss’ bookPF TickSince this recording, Liz has had a second local recurrence. As she goes through treatment, she’s putting her breast cancer vlog on her YouTube Channel, where you can find all her breast cancer videos.You can also find Liz:liz.oriordan.co.ukInstagramTwitterDon’t Ignore The Elephant podcastWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedIn If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon. Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Natasha Cauchi was 29 when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. As part of her treatment she had a double mastectomy with implant reconstruction. Three years later Tash and her husband decided to try for a baby. Chemotherapy can affect fertility and Tash was in early menopause. She had IVF, which was unsuccessful. Then she became pregnant naturally! While the arrival of baby Oliver is joyous, Tash shares how she feels grief and sadness that she can’t breastfeed. Tash also talks about how she needed to advocate, especially when a nurse in hospital told her to ‘put him on the boob’ to breastfeed. Tash also shares her story of:Treatment and fertility preservationOvarian tissue freezingTrying for a baby after breast cancerWhat IVF was likeOliver’s dramatic arrival!The pressure to breastfeed in hospitalUsing donated breast milk Thank you, Tash, for sharing your story with us. And welcome to this wonderful world, Oliver AJ, it’s so much more wonderful knowing that you’re in it!Links for this podcast:Natasha's Instagram pageOvarian tissue freezingMother's Milk BankWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInSubscribe to be notified when new Rewritten Me episodes are published. If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon. Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)

What does Medicare cover for breast reconstruction? What do you need to consider if you choose to be treated privately? The two different systems in Australia – public and private – can be confusing, and potential financial costs of reconstruction can cause anxiety. It can also be an awkward discussion to have with your team. In this episode Luan talks to Specialist Breast Surgeon and President of BreastSurgANZ, Dr Melanie Walker, about how to navigate finances. Luan and Dr Melanie talk about whether Medicare covers:All types of reconstructionElective mastectomyRevision surgeryDelayed reconstructionLiposuction and fat graftingNipple reconstruction Luan and Dr Melanie also talk in general about private cover, including:What to ask your specialist’s teamWhat might not be coveredWhat your quote may includeNegotiating costs Links for this podcast:AMA Guide for patientsBreastSurgANZCancer Council resourceWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedInSubscribe to be notified when new Rewritten Me episodes are published. If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.Note: this podcast talks about what is covered by Medicare. What you have access to and what resources and services are available to you, including waiting times, can differ depending on where you live. And things change. This information was correct at the time of recording (3rd July 2023). The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon. Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK) 

It isn't vain to want your breast/s reconstructed after a mastectomy. Some women choose not to reconstruct because they think it's cosmetic. And some women aren't given the option to reconstruct.Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon, Dr Kirstin Miteff, talks about consulting both a breast surgeon and a reconstructive plastic surgeon when you research your reconstruction options.Dr Kirstin also talks about how a referral to a plastic surgeon at the time of a breast cancer diagnosis may reduce the reconstruction timeline for some patients. Luan and Dr Kirstin also talk about:What a reconstructive plastic surgeon doesThe role of plastic surgeons & breast surgeonsAnd how they work alongside each otherWhat to consider when choosing your reconstructionTelehealth consults for regional/rural patientsWhat to ask a reconstructive plastic surgeonThe training path of reconstructive plastic surgeonsHow some women haven't been offered reconYou might also want to:Listen to Dr Joe Dusseldorp talk about DIEP 'flap' strategiesListen to Dr Bish Soliman talk about other 'flap' optionsSubscribe to be notified when the episode about public & private health drops!Links for this podcast:Aspire Plastic Surgery websiteAspire Plastic Surgery on InstagramAustralian Society of Plastic SurgeonsWhere you can find Luan: Instagram Website LinkedIn If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636. The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon. Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)