Rewritten Me

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...

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 an...

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 ab...

When it comes to implant-based reconstruction, you might hear the terms UTM and OTM. But what do they mean and why might you choose one over the other?   Luan talks to one of Australia’s leading consultant breast surgeons, Associate Professor Sanjay Warrier, about under and over the muscle implants, including:  What’s involved for UTM & OTM What might dictate your decision The benefi...

In Rewritten Me’s first ever ‘extra’ episode, Luan talks to Dr Minas Chrysopoulo who devised the Breast Advocate® app.   Breast Advocate® is the world's first shared decision-making app for breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction. It's the app that helped Dr Sandy Minck when she was researching her risk reduction surgery (episode 8).   Dr C, as he’s known, is an American-based bo...

The results from a routine mammogram in 2022 led to a whirlwind of investigative tests for Dr Sandy Minck. Sandy was diagnosed with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and found out she carries the CHEK2 genetic variant. She also had dense breast tissue. This all contributed to an increased risk of breast cancer. Sandy’s mother died of breast cancer. When Sandy researched what options she had to mini...

It’s important to decide what reconstruction is right for you at the time. However, over time things can change, such as life priorities, work commitments and childcare responsibilities. So too can the results of your reconstruction.   Kylie Lynch had multiple surgeries to achieve a bilateral implant-based reconstruction following her diagnosis of invasive mucinous and ductal carcinoma with e...

What does it mean to be a patient advocate and to ‘own your worth’?   When Terri Coutee received her second diagnosis for breast cancer she was mistakenly diagnosed with incurable metastatic disease. This prompted her to blog about her experience and advocate for others.   Luan and Terri talk about how Terri went on to set up not-for-profit DIEPC Foundation, and create a 24/7 library of...

Hear about new techniques being used to try to preserve and restore feeling and sensation in the breast after reconstruction.   “That [extra] 20 minutes is this woman’s entire lifetime of [breast] sensation,” A/Prof Cindy Mak.   Loss of feeling after a mastectomy and reconstruction is a concern for many women.   Luan talks to A/Prof Cindy Mak & Dr Joe Dusseldorp about techniques...

What other options are available if you want an ‘own tissue’ reconstruction, but you aren’t a candidate for DIEP flap?   Some women may not have enough tummy tissue for a DIEP. Others may have previously had abdominoplasty, or a DIEP reconstruction that didn’t work out.   Dr Bish Soliman is an internationally trained Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon who specialises in comple...

Did you know there were different kinds of mastectomies? In this pod Luan talks to Specialist Breast Surgeon, Dr Kylie Snook, about what a mastectomy is and why someone might have one.   Luan and Dr Kylie talk about: Is all breast tissue removed? Nipple-sparing & skin-sparing mastectomies Mastectomy incisions Tissue expanders Preventative/risk reduction mastectomy Bilateral & contrala...

What can you eat to help you heal well after reconstruction surgery?   In this pod Luan talks to nutritionist, Associate Professor Teresa Mitchell-Paterson, about what food choices you can make to help support your recovery from surgery.   Luan and Teresa talk about ·      Foods that may support wound healing ·      How you can...

Talking to your surgeon about what’s meaningful to you and what approaches, or strategies, they can take to help you achieve an optimal reconstruction is all part of shared decision-making.   In the first episode of season one, Luan talks to reconstructive plastic surgeon, Dr Joe Dusseldorp, about the strategies he considers for DIEP flap reconstruction in relation to form and function of the...

The 3rd Wednesday in October is Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day, or BRA Day as it's known!   For BRA Day 2022 I sat down with reconstructive plastic surgeon, Dr Joe Dusseldorp (FRACS). Dr Joe specialises in breast reconstruction, particularly ‘own tissue’ reconstruction like DIEP flap reconstruction. He’s a medical innovator and personalised medicine advocate, and he led the first team in...

In this first episode, I share how devastating it was to be told I needed a mastectomy and how I’ve gone from being the star of the Unwritten Me Sh!tshow to hosting the Rewritten Me podcast. I talk about my breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and surgeries, as well some of the little talked about side effects of my DIEP reconstruction, like the ‘Ken Doll’ (oh, and my labi@ also gets an honourable m...