Some Pics of the Final Days

Typical Goalie stance.

Sweet Blade Tape we were given!!

Bree's Sad face. She is the reason I scored many of my goals, don't feel bad, she had her share;)

Smile like you're happy Sarah!

Beth the blogger tweeting in her sleep likely!

Frankie and I. My favorite game in the last couple days was to try to be offside whenever she skated across the blue line. It was to make up for all the time we spent waiting for her to be onside;)

Tash and Jamie, a couple of refs and our Bootcamp leaders.

A typically sad looking bench.

Post our last midnight shift we had a couple beers. Good times, wish we could have afforded more of them.

Some locker room fun after the game. All we needed was a cup to drink from;)

It's OVER!!!!! White 1300 and some to Red Almost 1000

I know it seems weird that I don't know the final score but no one really cares who was actually there. Took me a week or so to stop caring, but then it really didn't matter, a big step for me. This attitude was best reflected when the final final buzzer went. It felt like we had won a championship, but not just the white team, all of us. There were no camera shots of the red team with their heads between their hands trying to hide the tears, nope, just a big mosh pit of red and white swarming the red goalie with hugs all around and tears of joy and exhaustion from both teams. Myself included.

To back it up a bit my last shift was a fun one, a good group of girls and a red goalie out to have some fun. I practiced my spin-a-rama move a good dozen times, including on a penalty shot (totally set up by the red team) till I finally scored on it! That rounded out a tipped in out of the air goal and a wrap around. Never did get that top shelf shot down:) After the shift about 10 of us went upstairs and drank a couple of beers, ate (of course) and generally just hung out like normal people. Then just to give a little energy to the 12-4 am shift we ran into the rink and mooned them. Twice.

7am came all too soon but we just had to push through until 930 when the benches started to fill up. At that point someone must have hit the 'TURBO' switch cause the game picked up and was the fastest it had been in probably about 9 days. Was great to be able to play with some people that I hadn't crossed paths with over the 10 days and to see some energy and smiles on faces on the bench. For once there was someone to fist pump with when you got to the bench;) When the record was met at 10 am we were all pretty stoked but knew the end wasn't here yet so left a little in the tank.

We had a red carpet ceremony at 10 where I was chosen to do the ceremonial puck drop for the white team with Eva Markvoorts Dad dropping the puck. Eva passed away last March and was the spokesperson for the event, as well as having done much to raise awareness about CF and organ donation through the documentary 65redroses. So fanfare over we got back to business and had another 65 minutes of hockey to play - not a coincidence the 65 minutes.

When that final final buzzer went though it was amazing, the crowd was so loud, the DJ was playing something good I'm sure (but I couldn't hear it) and we tossed our equipment away, people threw 65 red roses onto the ice and we skated in a circle as one big team. And of course the media circus was present to capture it all. Afterwards we hit the showers and drank the champagne donated to us and waiting in the locker rooms! The party while short was a great ending to the morning.

The afternoon however was where things went downhill.

I came out from the party just before 1 pm to see that the RV I had been staying in, with all of my stuff in it, was gone and there was no sign of my stuff. Any of it. After sounding the alarms, and about 30 minutes passing most of it was located in another girls RV (much to her surprise). All except my car and house keys that is. Ya, so here I was toasted, ready for bed, wanting to go home and no way to get there or get in it if I got there. My spare keys were out of town until 830 pm that night! So I ended up hanging around helping to clean up until about 5 pm, going to Chelsea's place with half my stuff, sleeping till 830 there, getting my keys then moving half my stuff over to my place before crashing. Had to pick my car up after work the next day, go pick up the other half of my stuff another player had kindly taken to her place and then haul it all up to my place. Which is where it still sits because last night I fell asleep at 6 pm, about 15 minutes after I got home.

Finally after my 12 hour sleep last night, skipping dinner, do I feel like the fog has lifted from my brain. The back pain, shoulder pain and associated swelling of joints will pass in time too.

So all in all a good experience. Getting even more positive as time passes and my brain function returns;) We won't know for months if the record is official, but I don't think anyone really cares. We raised over $140,000, I raised over $3500. We made it to the front page of the Vancouver Sun, the Metro and the Courier and brought CF to the forefront of the ordinary reader's mind if even only for a day. And that was always the number one goal for everyone involved, red or white.

I'll top this up with some photos and videos when I get home;)

Day 9 - Home Stretch!!! White still has more than Red

Well the drama of the Big Brother situation going on in RV land is heating up! First last night the girl with the concussion sort of snuck on to the ice late last night after being told earlier that she couldn't play. Her doctor cleared her and she felt fine but the lawyer types were worried. Anyhow, she played and that was a surprise to some.


Then today the red team was taking a beating (again) from the white team and the exhaustion and frustration boiled up to the point where they were going to walk off the ice. Just give up. So people all rushed over to A. make sure they were ok and B. get ready to dress just in case they weren't. The 'situation' was resolved by telling the three best white players to pretty much skate in circles. Trap 40 women in a small place and add a competitive environment and you're bound to get some drama.

I had a rough day too. I wasn't having as much fun this morning as I have, and I was tired, as we all are, and I fell a couple of times, and ran into someone pretty good so was beat up. Anyhow, just had to avoid people for a bit on the ice and keep skating. Exhaustion can make you not be yourself. As Dory would say "just keep swimming", or skating in our case.

Feeling better mentally now, only one four hour shift to go, and then a three hour shift tomorrow which should be mostly full bench so will be much easier. Then in a short amount of time it will all be over. It has been quite the experience, and I have made some friends that will last past the final whistle so it was certainly worth it. But man was the weather nice the past 10 days, and sometimes you just think of all the things you could have been doing instead...

Tonight is steak night though, then a massage at 715 to help survive the final four hours! Two great ways to begin the night.

Pics

Day 7-8 White greater than 1000 Red less than 1000

So much for a daily post but seriously people I am le tired.

Only 15 min until I have to be back in the dressing room. This morning I got up to be greeted by a camera man and his endless questions. I had literally rolled out of bed 5 min earlier, was still in my pjs and hadn't even looked in a mirror. Turns out he was from Global NATIONAL. Super, now all my friends and family can see how awesome I look and how much my voice sounds like I need more sleep less sugar and a cup of tea.

All for a good cause right? At least I'm only a temporary celebrity, could be worse.

I can't even remember what I've talked about already but here goes a ramble. People's spirits are dropping. The fatigue the lack of ability to add skill to the game, the fact that it has been going on for over a week, the missing of the outside world are all adding up to a toll on many of the players. For the first time last night on my midnight to 4 am shift people were admitting that they wanted to go home. They were done, the lustre was gone, the abuse on their bodies too much. Being trapped with 39 women they don't really want to be with for this long causing conflicts.

I think what is keeping most people here at this point is the 'team' aspect of it. Knowing that if they leave, they are going to add pain and suffering to everyone else is what keeps people with busted knees, ear infections, screwed up joints and numbness that shouldn't be there on the ice. One girl had a migraine so bad she barfed and 24 hours later she was back on the ice. At least if you are a skating pylon you are allowing someone else to be sleeping or eating you tell yourself. No one wants to be taken to the hospital but so far three have gone, and two have come back on the ice.

I realise the answer to that question should be the cause, CF, but for many girls here they have no direct connection with CF just a love of hockey and a big heart.

My favorite part of the shift is after the zamboni has been by and the ice is so smooth, so effortless to move, so great. I have lost all fascination with the zamboni, I figure I will have seen an ice clear about 80 times before this is over. I think I could do it in my sleep now... Pics to come later... maybe;)

Day 5 and 6 (approx) White 922 - Red 691

The sleep deprivation is totally setting in. I'm exhausted and a bit of a Hockey Playing Zombie. But what else is new. We are now in full on Timbit hockey stage and I am actually able to keep up with my fluids and don't need my groddy sweat towel on the bench anymore. This has happened so that we can survive. We have settled into a pace that is sustainable for 10 days and still resembles hockey. The goalies are all switching out so that their knees can rest, the players are happy to rest their backs. The jokes, banter and laughter on the ice is non stop. We are all having a lot of fun playing, despite the chronic pain that almost everyone is in. I think the complaining is minimal because we are all suffering. For me the back pain is less as the intensity has dropped, especially in my faceoffs, but the skate bite or lace bite whatever you want to call it is worse and hurts all the time when laced up.

The food has been great and plentiful, last night was pork tenderloin mmmm. The midnight snacks are a must for all. I have been sleeping from about 10 pm -330 am the last few nights, rolling out of bed, brushing my teeth on the way to the change room, dressing in a fog, hitting the ice for four and then snacking all morning long. Once you are on the ice it is usually better than how you feel after a few hours off the ice in terms of tiredness. We reached the halfway mark yesterday and I think it will be all downhill from here ya know? No one believes it isn't possible, it's just a matter of enduring now.

We have had a few visitors today. First during our noon to 4 pm shift today a new Dad came by with his 2 month old daughter who has CF. He was really emotional, then Val got really emotional, then before you know it there are all kinds of teary eyed girls trying to get their helmets on before the buzzer goes because the 10 min break is up. We all noticed a little more energy on the ice after that visit.

To contrast that we were also visited my a 52 year old lady today who was diagnosed at 14, had a double lung transplant at 40 and is now winning gold medals in the transplant games for race walking. Hope for the future and recognition of how we can make a difference from the wise.

Day 4 White - 332 Red - 209

Quote of the day "I'm sure everyone is really nice, but I'm too tired to make friends."

The first step onto the ice is literally the hardest. I think it is that little jar that you get as you drop the four inches, or the cold hard reality that you are back on the ice. I think my back is taking the brunt of it. I blame it a little bit on the numerous face offs I am taking. It started with a 10 year old kids level of enthusiasm for taking face offs where I was trying to get as many as I can. That set precedent though, as centre is a position that no one really wants. My right tricep is going to be huge.


So the massage people have started to arrive, and I'm taking advantage as much as I can. I am also using the A535 that was sent to me in my care package from Chris and Caro! (and kindly delivered by Mike and Sarah) Rest helps a lot. A horizontal position does wonders.

People are starting to settle into a level of hockey that is sustainable for the 10 days. So no, the camera isn't in slow motion, we are. Passing has started to become priority, icing is celebrated more than a goal, and a leading pass and open ice is losing it's appeal.

The red team is down a woman for good, she is doing ok, but the headache is still there, and even short walks make it worse. They temporarily lost a second body for about 24 hours and they are having to do a lot of 4 on 4 off 4 on 8 off 4 on 4 off where as the white team has mostly 8 offs. We feel bad but there isn't much we can do as we aren't allowed to switch teams. I did my 4 off "today" (I'm writing this late) which is why I didn't have time to write. I figure between the sleeping, eating, changing, showering and playing I have about 3 hours off. So be grateful that I am spending them with you:)

Off to the RM...

Day 3. White 259 - Red 160

Quote of the day
"My lips are chapped"
"Oh it's because you're dehydrated"
"Really? I thought it was because I was licking them and skating so fast?"



So you might be wondering why white is killing it on the scoreboard? Well red is shy a couple of 'real' goalies. White has three solid full time goalies and I think red has one experienced one, and one very keen and rapidly improving one, and one rotating never been in gear player one. So it's not their fault really. Plus we have this one girl who is racking up the points like they're going out of style. I am playing with her currently, and it is fun when you can just skate towards the net and the puck ends up on your stick everytime.


But the score isn't really the point, however try to tell me that and I have a hard time adjusting my level of competitiveness.

Staying healthy is one of the main goals for everyone, so I try to stretch, rest, ice and eat. Got my first massage today which was nice, but really not long enough, or often enough if you ask everyone around here. The main source of pain for most people seems to be lower back and skate bite. I just learned the term skate bite. It's for the front of your ankle/calf where you are putting forward pressure on your skate all the time, it is red and raw for many people. Latest attempt at relief is a piece of yoga mat cut to shape.

Trust Vancouverites to find another use for a yoga mat. Starbucks is the coffee of choice in RV land and those little via packets are like crack for some.

But on a more serious note, I think we lost our first player today, rumour is a concussion will force her to sit the rest of the game out. She has a history of them, and went to get checked out today I think.

With the fatigue and the ice conditions (which only gets Zamboni'd every one or two hours, not 20 min like the pros) it is easy enough to lose your footing and fall backwards. Plus the lazy poke checks and sticks between the legs have increased for us all.

I have asked about the quality of the live stream and the orientation of the camera. They said that they are storing the entire game on to one external drive so couldn't bump up the quality, and that the orientation is to keep the time clock in (for the Guinness copy) and the poster in the corner. Too bad you can't see how many goals I'm scoring! I got another hat trick today whoop whoop!


We have determined that we may becoming slightly delusional as our sense of humour has lowered to the point where everything is funny, only when you laugh your stomach muscles hurt and that isn't funny.


Some shots of the AV area where the camera is that you all see, the massage lady table;) the volunteer table that is manned all day, some players mending their gear, icing knees and drinking ceasars.

Day 2. White 120 - Red 77

Got a reasonable sleep last night after my second shift 8 pm to Midnight. Thought I didn't need to eat afterward, so just brought my pj's to the rink and went straight to bed after but the grumbling stomach last night said otherwise. I've got an extra half a quesidilla stashed away from lunch this time;)


Had a burst of energy in the last hour of my shift and got my first hat-trick! I count each four hour shift as a 'game'. Whoop whoop! Unknowingly witnessed by Yuben and Richard some Stantec folks who were watching after their game! I was also visited by Sarah, Mike and Owen during the daytime which was great. Owen took his turn clearing the ice with the zamboni. I really appreciate all the nice texts, facebook posts and email messages! My phone isn't usually turned on as I'm either on the ice or sleeping most of the day;)

So far everyone is healthy, but we've had a couple of good hits on the head and some bad cramps. In that case someone who is supposed to be resting suits up and takes their place. My friend Tamaki who is apparently insane did that today, then stayed for another hour or so into the next shift just to play?! It wasn't even her shift.

We had some folks come by to visit us today, a family where all three kids have CF, twin girls and an older brother. Talk about tough luck, those people should buy lottery tickets. They made one player Frankie cry, but that isn't very hard to do. She just had to look at them. We asked them to make us signs for encouragement and they promised to bring them next time they visit.

Day 1.

So the puck has dropped.


My first shift was from 8 am until 12 noon today, lucky for me the first hour was a full bench affair for the cameras and the hoopla. We had CBC, CTV, Global and City TV out filming and interviewing. I did a number of interviews with my mouth full.



The real fun started last night though. I came to the rink around 7 pm and with the help of my friends Iris and Sjoerd we got the tents up that my Dad brought over from Black and White. Then my Dad took us to the Keg for a pre-game protein fill! Then I moved into the RV, more on the RV later though;)



We had a little opening ceremonies this morning with a couple small speeches and ceremonial puck drop. Then GAME ON! Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to do the photos before the first hour, so I am a little sweaty in the team photos but we look like we just won the game! I am white 24 for reference, in case you are watching online at www.longestgame4cf.com That's right!!

We're streaming online so you can watch me score from the comfort of home.



So far I have two goals, three if you count the one the ref missed. But on the official score card I only have two:( White team is in the lead though I think! Sorry if this is a little jumbled and all over the place I think I'm hungry! Feet are good though, knees are still intact and spirits are high. The first four hours went by quickly, we play 50 min then usually get 10 off for a quick zamboni and some snacks. The start stop times are pretty regimented though.






One cool thing going on is the art sale and silent auction where this woman created an art piece displaying all the medication that her son Beckett took in a year. He was 14 months when the year started, and he came out to watch the puck drop this morning:) So many needles, so many pills. So when your kid is refusing to eat his dinner, think, it could be worse, it could be medicine.