LITTLETON — Hanna Gootée woke before sunrise, body hurting, doubt creeping in her mind. How long could she do this? How long would she have to fight against thyroid cancer, and three autoimmune diseases on top of that?
Her eyes were heavy as she made the two-hour drive from Edwards, across snowy Vail Pass, watching the light break over the horizon. But once she walked into Edge Ice Arena and put on her skates, that doubt dissipated.
She had arrived at Hockey Heals, a weekly skate for those who have endured a life-threatening illness, disorder or event.