‘More surgeries and setbacks than most in three-lifetimes’: Teacher’s brave cancer fight

Struck down with cancer three times since the age of 21, a former Brisbane primary teacher hopes her fight to beat the disease is finally over – with innovative surgery changing her life.

Amy and Chris Hennessey. Picture: Renae Droop/RDW Photography

Struck down with cancer three times since the age of 21, a former Brisbane primary teacher hopes her fight to beat the disease is finally over – with innovative surgery changing her life.

Amy Hennessey has had a cancerous bladder removed and replaced with a “neobladder”, constructed from her bowel tissue.

The 42-year-old said the six-hour operation – performed by Mater Private Hospital urologists Dr Roger Watson, who removed the organ, and Dr David Winkle, who built the new one – had also given her more confidence and eliminated the need for a colostomy bag.

“I went from being severely incontinent to no longer having to run to the toilet every hour,” she said.

Brisbane’s Amy Hennessey who was 21 years old when doctors at Mater Private Hospital Brisbane discovered a “giant” tumour in her pelvis. Picture Supplied

Chris Hennessey will ride in the Tour de Cure in March. Picture: Renae Droop/RDW Photography

While Mrs Hennessey, of Yeerongpilly, described the neobladder as “life-changing”, she doesn’t want cancer to define her – “I want to be known for being an excellent teacher and a fun and vibrant person”.

Her decades-long battle began in 2003 when doctors at Mater Private discovered a large tumour in her pelvis.

A diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma, a relatively rare cancer that occurs in and around bones in children and young adults, followed and with it, the first of many surgeries.

In 2007, the cancer recurred, also requiring chemotherapy and a bone-marrow transplant and, 13 years later, scans revealed Mrs Hennessey had developed bladder cancer, with secondary tumours not uncommon in Ewing sarcoma.

Brisbane’s Amy Hennessey hopes to have finally won her cancer battle after surgeons removed her cancerous bladder and replaced it with a “neobladder”. Picture: Supplied.

She has since lost her left kidney, which was plagued by infections following the neobladder surgery, but Mrs Hennessey is thankful for the “incredible medical support” along her journey.

Her husband Chris Hennessey has also been by her side.

“I am in awe of the courage and resilience Amy has displayed,” Mr Hennessy said.

“She has had more surgeries, setbacks and tough times than most people would face in three lifetimes, yet she consistently remains positive about life.”

Mr Hennessey, a personal trainer and owner of The Outdoor Club Graceville, is cycling from Hobart to Adelaide as part of this month’s Tour de Cure, to boost funds for cancer research.

He has raised more than $31,000 and is also riding in support of his sister Belinda, who has cancer.

https://tourdecure.grassrootz.com/signature-tour-2024/chris-hennessey