Cheryl treated Doug and me to a Father's Day lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. We acknowledge it was not our first, second, or third choice, but it was open and the food, and Molly got lots of attention. The rest of the day was spent at the swimming pool rooting on other members of the Team Iowa. The Team walked away with a haul of gold and silver medals. The evening was devoted to basketball. As you may now know, Cheryl played on the Team Iowa men's team. They had hoped to have a co-ed team, but when Cheryl was the only coed signed up, they moved to the men's division. Team Iowa destroyed their opponent with Cheryl riding the bench. Doug, however, found his voice and whipped the Team Iowa spectators into a frenzy of cheers.
As if Sunday hadn't been hectic, Monday was more so. Cheryl started the day with a tour of the cycling course while Doug attended a Living Donor workshop. We than had to hussle to the track for Cheryl to compete in the Women's 4x100 relay run. I will admit that I have never seen Cheryl run that fast.
Immediately thereafter, it was back to the hotel for Doug and Cheryl to attend the Living Donor Celebration. I cannot fully comprehend how emotional and inspirational this was for Doug and Cheryl, but I know it reinforced the unique bond they share. I know it meant a lot to Cheryl to have Doug there with her. I am getting all choked up thinking about it again.
The evening was again reserved for basketball. In the first game Cheryl finally got some playing time and immediately scored. I would like to say Cheryl took the ball at the top of the key, broke her defender down, sliced into the lane, and finished with a thunderous two-hand jam over an athletic liver recipient. Actually it was a fundamentally sound set shot from the right of the basket. In any case, there was much cheering and high-fiving all around.
Team Iowa went on to dominate the Men's Basketball bracket with Chad and PJ scoring at will. They had no problem handling Team Philadelphia in the championship game with Doug leading the cheers the whole way.
Tuesday was the day Cheryl was really waiting for. Those other gold medals were icing, the cycling is Cheryl's cake. The morning started with a rain storm, but skies were clear by 8:30. The first event was the 5k time trial. The course was a circuit around two parks connect by a flat stretch of new pavement. Cheryl took off like a bat out of hell and didn't look back. Ten minutes and fifty one seconds later she crossed the finish line successfully defending her gold medal from two years ago!
The 20k criterium was four laps around the course and a mass start of all women participants. Cheryl joined into a pack of two other kidney recipients, Silke and Amy, and appeared to be fun afternoon ride. Silke unfortunately flated and decide to do one lap on little kids bike. While she is not a very tall, I have no idea how she peddled that little bike for 5k. Down to two, Cheryl and Amy cruised across the finish line holding hands.
There was only two other women in front of them, both in a different age group. While they were hoping to share the gold, the photo finish (yes, they have photo finish technology at the Transplant Games!?!) showed Amy's wheel was a nudge ahead. The biggest victory was not getting lapped by Tracy from Nevada, a very competitive cyclist who happens to have had a liver transplant.Doug got to present Cheryl with her medals and Molly slept through it.
The evening was a quick dinner and than Doug and Cheryl headed over to the closing ceremonies and after party. Molly and I went back the hotel and went to bed. Rumor has it Doug impressed many with his dancing.
Please note this is only a cursory description of the fun, joy, sadness, inspiration, exhilaration, bonding that goes on during these four days. Everyone you meet is a story of life or second chances or death or unbreakable bonds or simple acts of caring. If you ever want to experience this for yourself, the 2008 games are in Pittsburgh, PA. You are welcome to join us.
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