Join us as we talk to Dana Shea.

At 24 years old, Dana Shea thought the pain she felt after a Pilates class was probably nothing serious. But a visit to the GP quickly turned into scans, emergency surgery, and a life-changing diagnosis — a rare ovarian cancer called an immature teratoma.

In this episode, Dana shares the shock of being diagnosed so young, undergoing surgery, and facing three months of chemotherapy with little time to process what was happening.

More than a decade later, Dana is cancer-free, a mum of two, and using her experience to help support others navigating life after cancer.

This conversation is honest, emotional, and full of hope — touching on fertility, identity, friendship, humour through hard moments, and the importance of listening to your body when something feels “off.”

Dana’s story is a powerful reminder that cancer can happen at any age, and that early action can change everything.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we talk to Anna Lowvey.

Anna was a fit and healthy young mum from the Central Coast, NSW who had just celebrated her 30th birthday when her life changed in an instant after a sudden seizure which led to the discovery of a grade 3 astrocytoma. Ten weeks pregnant at the time, she needed to make the hardest decision to terminate the pregnancy in order to begin life-saving treatment.

In this episode, Anna shares her journey through emergency brain surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, alongside a rare window of time where she was approved to travel with two months of oral chemo. Anna and her partner bought a caravan and travelled the south coast with their 3 year old daughter, living off-grid and creating meaningful memories together in the midst of uncertainty. This is a story of resilience, motherhood, loss, and what life looks like when treatment ends but you are living with incurable cancer.

Some resources below:

https://braincancergroup.com.au/

https://www.cancer.org.au/types-of-cancer/brain-cancer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we talk to Jonathan Steffanoni.

Jonathan's life changed suddenly after severe headaches and light sensitivity led to a scan revealing a 5cm brain lesion. Within 48 hours, Jonathan was undergoing emergency brain surgery. The diagnosis came after the procedure: incurable brain cancer.

In this conversation, Jonathan shares the reality of what followed - from the shock of rapid intervention and diagnosis, to navigating ongoing uncertainty as recent scans suggest possible progression. He speaks openly about the cognitive and emotional changes he’s experiencing, including shifts in memory, identity, and how he moves through everyday life as a father to a young daughter.

At the heart of this episode is a deeply human reflection on acceptance. Jonathan explores what it means to step away from the language of “fighting” cancer, and instead find a sense of peace in acceptance, even in the most confronting circumstances. He also sheds light on the unique challenges of brain cancer.

This is a conversation about legacy, identity, and honesty in the face of uncertainty. It invites listeners to sit with discomfort, rethink what strength can look like, and understand that there is no single way to face a cancer diagnosis - only what is true for each individual journey.

Some resources below:

https://www.cancer.org.au/types-of-cancer/brain-cancer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.