#63 Advance Care Planning through the lens of a surgeon, daughter and patient with Dr Liz O’Riordan

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Dr Liz O’Riordan. We talk about Advance Care Planning through three very different lenses, from Liz’s experience as a surgeon, a daughter and as a patient. Liz shares what she has learned through these experiences and why we should all have the conversation and start planning early.

Key messages from guest

• Liz explains Advance Care Planning was not part of her role as junior doctor.

• As a patient no one raised Advance Care Planning with Liz

• Liz explains that we need to raise awareness that dying in hospital can be done well

• We reflect on how an early  palliative approach can support with symptom control, but that the opportunity to refer early is often missed.

• Liz highlights that anyone can refer to palliative care

• The words “sick enough to die” need to be used rather than common euphemisms

• Liz explains how it was tough to approach Advance Care Planning with her Mum, but what a relief it felt  once addressed. Liz also shares that her Mum died very quickly and was too ill to have discussions. 

• Liz explains Swedish Death Cleaning

• At diagnosis, Liz describes how hard it was for her to start her own Advance Care Planning 

• Liz explains the difference between CPR in a fit person compared to a person in the last stages of life and how we need to raise awareness about what CPR is for. CPR is not a treatment for Ordinary Dying.

Resource

• Access The Royal College of Physicians guide: Acute care resource: End-of-life care in the acute care setting 

• Harvey Max Chochinov Intensive Caring: Reminding Patients They Matter 

• Find out about Swedish Death Cleaning 

• Access Burra Bears creators of bespoke Memory Bears from customers knitted garments @BurraBears

• How to make a Lasting Power of Attorney: How to assign a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) 

• Access the My Care Matters Future Care Handbook 

• Liz O’Riordan contact

  Instagram @oriordanliz

  Twitter @Liz_ORiordan

  YouTube @DrLizORiordan

  Website www.liz.oriordan.co.uk

  https://dontignoretheelephant.podbean.com/

  https://linktr.ee/lizoriordan 

  
  

Bio:

Dr Liz O’Riordan is a thought leader in the cancer space.  In 2015 (aged 40) she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer whilst working as a consultant breast surgeon. She co-wrote ‘The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer: How to Feel Empowered and Take Control’ in 2017. A locoregional recurrence in 2018 forced her to retire as a surgeon. Her memoir, ‘Under The Knife’, was released on July 6th (pre-order here https://unbound.com/books/under-the-knife/) 

During chemotherapy she started an award-winning blog about her experiences (www.liz.oriordan.co.uk) and now talks all over the world about how to improve patient care. In 2020 she launched her podcast – Don’t Ignore The Elephant – that talks about the things no-one else does, like sex, death and body image. Liz is passionate about promoting the benefits of exercise for cancer patients.