Breast cancer battle of Hunters Hill High teacher inspires daughters

A TEACHER diagnosed with breast cancer weeks before her wedding has inspired her daughters to give to cancer patients.

A TEACHER diagnosed with breast cancer weeks before her wedding has inspired her daughters to give to cancer patients.

Hunters Hill High teacher Jenny Sibley was painting a bedroom only five weeks before she was due to be married when she noticed a tiny lump.

A visit to the doctor confirmed her fears. The lump was bigger than Mrs Sibley realised, and moving closer to the chest wall.

“Everything we were doing with our life had to stop,” Mrs Sibley said.

“Life became a series of medical appointments and surgeries instead of the last-minute details for our wedding.”

Jenny Sibley with daughter Allison Deagle. Picture: Ross Schultz

The Beecroft woman had six hours of surgery at Macquarie University Hospital before the wedding, but support from family and friends ensured she and her partner Allen enjoyed their wedding day in December.

Mrs Sibley is progressing well after three of six chemotherapy treatments, and like many patients, has lost some hair.

Daughter Allison Deagle has watched her mother’s battle. “It’s been hard watching it, blow after blow,” she said.

“But mum’s a trooper. She always does it with a smile.”

Allison and stepsister Emma have responded with positive action, learning about groups which donate hair to create wigs for cancer patients who lose their hair.

Allison Deagle holds her lopped locks, and is joined by her mother Jenny Sibley. Picture: Ross Schultz

Mrs Sibley said some people who lose hair could be embarrassed, and notice a change in how people communicate with them.

Wigs could help prevent this, particularly for children.

Allison and Emma have donated their locks.

Allison had 40cm of her hair, which was at her hips, cut and donated to Variety, the children’s charity.

“I haven’t got a lot of money to give, but I do have hair, so I can give that”, she said.

Mrs Sibley was proud of her daughters’ response.