Winnipeg brain cancer patient battles hard to make Tragically Hip concert

A Winnipeg woman with terminal brain cancer is fighting for her life and to make it to the Tragically Hip concert Friday after her condition recently took a drastic turn for the worse.

Joanne Schiewe, 35, has been a voice on glioblastoma, the deadly cancer Tragically Hip lead singerGord Downie has.

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For more than a year, Schiewe's Stage 4 brain cancer has beenstable, allowing her to live an activelifestyle,but in early July, an MRI showed three new tumours that have had recent, devastating impact.

"For something to turn as quickly as it has, it's scary," she said.

Schiewe, a self-described diehardHip fan, spoke out about her excitementthat Gord Downie and his band would touch down in Winnipeg whenon tour this summer, then of her frustration at not getting a ticket when the Winnipeg showsold out within minutes, then again of her gratitude when dozens of Canadians came forward to offer her their own seats.

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Now, she's fighting for each new day in order to be there.

"It changes so quickly. You think, 'OK, Gord Downie's going to be great by the time he gets here on Friday' and um it's not always the case."

The articulate, vivacious and optimistic Schiewe now has trouble speaking and showing emotion.

The triathlete needs someone with her at all times, goes through periods of exhaustion and will soon have home care helping with daily tasks. The MRI results forced her to cancel plans to compete in a Calgary triathlon in late July.

'Things shouldn't happen that fast'

"A week and a half ago we were preparing to do a half Iron Man [triathlon]. And now, we're not sure that Jo's going tomake it to the concert. That's ridiculous. Things shouldn't happen that fast, but that's what this is," said Jared Spier, Schiewe'spartner.

Spier has begunblogging and speaking more publicly about the impacts of glioblastoma becauseSchiewe is no longer able to do soas loudlyon her own.

"It's a very, very aggressive type of tumour, and it twists in with the brain that's there, so it's very hard to extract or to go in and do a successful surgery," said Spier.

"You're never going to be a survivor, you're never going to be cured. There's no chance like that. It's not like having breast cancer or prostate cancer, where you've got a really good success rate. Less than fiveper cent with this type of cancer will make it five years," he said.

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Despite their grim reality, the pair remain hopeful that a new chemotherapy drug Schiewe is on will buy some precious time and restore some of Schiewe's spunk and independence.

The two are spending their days doing everyday tasks that now hold enormous meaning, such as grocery shopping, spending time with friends and family and enjoying live music together.

"This isn't something that's taking away our hopes and dreams, because everything is a bonus. But when it happens this fast, it hurts, because nobody can be ready for this," said Spier, tears welling in his eyes.

"Watching Jo struggle through this stuff and keep pushingthere's not many days that are dry-eyed days all the way through, but for the most part, the stuff that brings that much emotion is usually something amazing. It's Jo pushing through something."

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Schiewe, who looked forward to getting married and having children one day, is just thankful she did find the love of her life, a man who hasn't left her side.

"He's been absolutely amazing oh my goodness," she said, causing him to laugh and tear up.

Spier saidthere's a reason so many people have been inspired by Schieweand her story.

'I don't want to die': Brain cancer patient battles to live until Tragically Hip show

8 years ago

Duration 2:47

A Winnipeg woman with terminal brain cancer is fighting for her life and to make it to the Tragically Hip concert Friday after her diagnosis recently took a turn for the worse.

"GBM, glioblastoma, stage 4 brain cancer it doesn't have any survivors. It doesn't have people who can talk about the impacts of it. It doesn't have a voice," he said.

"Jo stood up to be that voice when she could, and now that her voice is getting quieter, it's our job to keep speaking for her and give her this chance to shout when we can."

There's no mystery about what she'd shout if she could.

"Donate, donate, donate," she said.

Schiewe has helpedraised nearly $80,000 for brain cancer research. She's dedicated much of own time with the illness to raising awareness. The couple said their own experience with CancerCareManitobahas been nothing short of amazing, so if people want to help, they should donate to there, with the added bonus that the dollars stay in the province.

'We're pushing for overtime'

Spier said in spite of their wonderfulfriends, family and shared experiences, their situation is undeniably sad. He had to pry to get Schieweto tell him what was wrong when she sat quietly on Monday.

"She said, 'I don't want todie.' What the hell are you going todo with that?I don't want you to die,"he said, looking at her and beginning to sob.

"But we've got control over what we've got control over and we can't control when we go," he said.

When Schiewe was diagnosed in February 2015, she knew recovery wasn't a possible outcome.

"She was given six months to 18 months," said Spier.

"We have two days until you're at 18 months," he added, looking at Schiewe and squeezingher hand."We're pushing for overtime, basically, because we got another two days after that until the Hip concert, right?"

Schiewe nods.

"We're just gonna keep going," Spiersaid.