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PITTSBURGH (AP) — Michelle Hardy has little use for the NHL offseason. Told she has 12 to 18 months to live because of a terminal form of brain cancer, Hardy, 46, wants hockey back — and soon.
"I'm sad hockey season is over," Hardy said. "I need it to start soon."
Cheering for the Penguins has become a respite and Hardy's favorite way of bonding with her daughter, Kate, 22.
The two plan to make the upcoming hockey season one to remember, with as many games and road trips as Michelle's health will allow.
Hardy was diagnosed May 19 with Stage 4 glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. She had surgery two days later.
The median survival time for someone such as Hardy is 14.6 months, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. Thirty percent make it to two years, and 10 percent to five years or longer.
But Hardy, who began six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy June 15, isn't subscribing to the given timetable. She wants more.
"I have minimums," she said. "I want to see (Kate) finish graduate school. My husband and I have been married 23 years; I want to make it to 25.
"And I'd like to see the Penguins win the Stanley Cup."
Michelle and Kate Hardy are not casual hockey fans.
They arrive early, often grabbing a pregame drink or bite to eat at Pizza Milano or Blue Line Grille across from Consol Energy Center on Fifth Avenue.
They watch warmups and try to guess who will score first. Afterward, they remain in their seats long enough to watch the video clip from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" that asks fans to leave.
Afterward, they might again stop across the street and listen to the postgame radio show if the Penguins win. Kate clicks it off if the team loses.
Their cellphone lock screens are always Penguin players' numbers — such as 1868 for James Neal and Jaromir Jagr. When Kate studied in Switzerland for a semester a couple of years ago, Michelle used FaceTime and held her phone in front of the TV so her daughter could watch, too.
"We definitely go all out," said Kate, who's moving to Shadyside and will start graduate school for education psychology at the University of Pittsburgh in the fall.
Michelle and Kate started a tradition two years ago of visiting one NHL road city per year. This year's trip — assuming Michelle is healthy enough — could be hockey's Yankee Stadium: Bell Centre in Montreal. Maybe more.
"We're probably going to ramp things up a bit," Michelle Hardy said. "It's hard because I don't know what's going to happen, but I think it will motivate me. I'm going to do as much as I can."
A semicircular scar runs from Michelle's temple, over her ear and down the left side of her head and neck.
She's starting to lose her hair. Mom and daughter went wig shopping Friday, and Michelle again threatened to buy one that's Pittsburgh Gold.
The outpouring of support has overwhelmed Michelle and Kate Hardy: the cards, fruit baskets, gift cards, pajamas and meals brought to their home in North Sewickley, Beaver County.
Michelle's employer, Brookdale Senior Living in Mt. Lebanon, for which she works from home, took donations for paid time off. Now she has months to take off work instead of two weeks.
"I feel very blessed with the things that I've seen in the last four weeks — how people have treated my children and family, how people have cared about what's happening to us," Michelle said.
Michelle and Kate are planning a mother-daughter trip to New York City to shop and see shows. Michelle and her son, Rob, 21, are headed to Las Vegas. A to-be-determined husband-and-wife trip is anticipated, then a family cruise around Christmas.
"The stuff you read isn't great," Michelle said. "But I feel like I'm young, I'm strong. I have a lot to live for. I don't want to leave my kids or my husband."
Kate became hooked on hockey through HBO's "24/7" series. She told her mom, and Michelle fell in love with the fast-paced action, not to mention the personalities.
Now they gush while retelling the story of meeting Kris Letang at the mall. Michelle would love to cook dinner for Sidney Crosby.
"To let him relax and not feel any obligations to anyone," she explained.
Michelle views the Penguins and other fans as her family. She describes going to hockey games as a communal experience, wishing there were a few to look forward to in July or August.
"It's almost how the Steelers used to be for us," Michelle said. "You live and die and bleed black and gold. You see how much effort they put out there. That's all you can ask.
"If they could win the Stanley Cup next year, that would be perfect. Yeah, put that on my wish list. I'd like to see them raise that cup."
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Information from: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, http://pghtrib.com
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