This woman is battling Stage 4 colon cancer, but her Port au Choix community is keeping her strong
Corrine Alyward shares her cancer journey online, and her community has shared their love
A Port au Choix woman says community support is keeping her strong in her fight against Stage 4 colon cancer. It was highlighted earlier this month when residents brought the love to her doorstep.
Corrine Alyward isn't facing her first cancer treatments, having successfully beaten breast cancer three years ago, but told CBC News she knows this battle is different. The cancer has spread into her lymph nodes, chest cavity and lungs.
She's been openly sharing her journey on Facebook, which she says has helped her greatly. It serves as a different kind of medicine, she said.
"I do have hard days, but I have more good days than hard days. So that's what really keeps me going," Alyward said Monday. "My friends are amazing. Amazing. They've been an amazing support group."
Alyward turned to social media with a request from others, asking them to share videos and join her in singing Rachel Platten's Fight Song.
On Thursday, people took that song straight to her home.
The community — including members of the high school volleyball teams she coaches — braved wind frigid temperatures with music, posters and messages of support.
"It was overwhelming. It was emotional of course, but it just was so good. So good for the person and soul," she said.
"I was having a bad day, and it just all went away. Just like that."
Alyward said her volleyball players being involved was extra special.
She picked up coaching the sport — without any knowledge of how to coach volleyball — following the completion of her breast cancer treatment. She won a silver medal in her first ever tournament and continues to coach following her colon cancer diagnosis.
"It just gave me something to do. Gave me some purpose," she said. "They're all telling me how much they love me. I love them, too, I told them," she said. "They don't realize how much they've helped me."
As she finishes her final round of treatments offered in Newfoundland and Labrador, Alyward said the support from family, friends and strangers on social media has kept her pushing toward her goals. She views them as milestones she needs to reach in her life.
Her next goal? Watching her youngest child graduate high school in two years.
"My youngest daughter [is] in Grade 10, and my goal is to see her graduate. I need to see her graduate, and when I get there I'm going to set another goal," Alyward said.
"I'm hell-bent on getting there. Come hell or high water, this frigging cancer's not going to make me not see her graduate."
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With files from Leila Beaudoin
