It's Cancer!

By Teresa Avery

This is not your typical cancer book. This is a story of a young womans journey through the months before, during, and after her diagnosis with breast cancer. It is filled with the ups and downs associated with cancer, but laced with a touch of humor. Teresa candidly shares her experience of what its truly like to be diagnosed and fight this ever-growing disease among women.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479741083

Teresa Avery

Teresa Avery was born and raised in southern Michigan. She has lived in Texas, Germany, Alabama, and Kentucky. She currently lives in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, with her son, Gunnar, and two dogs, Evee and Buddy. This is her first nonfiction book.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Elvis and Me

When I think of Elvis, I think of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. I think of how talented, charismatic, and handsome he was. I always enjoyed his movies and songs. Everyone who knew him loved him. That is why, when I had heard about this man named Elvis within my circle of friends, I was instantly curious who they were talking about. My ears perked up with interest whenever his name was mentioned. I didn’t know at that time why he was called Elvis, but I wanted to find out. All I knew was that he worked as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the army and was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. I also knew that he was generous, successful, and respected by several people. Judging from the stories that were told, I was intrigued with this man, sight unseen. He definitely sounded like someone who I would like to hang out with and possibly get to know much better.

I met Elvis one fall evening at Kickers Dance Club and Bar in Clarksville, Tennessee. I was upstairs, shooting a game of pool with a few friends, when I looked at the stairs and saw my friend Kelly with her new boyfriend, Chris. Behind them was a very tall, dark-haired, and extremely handsome man. I quickly ran up to Kelly and gave her a big hug. Who is that tall drink of water? I asked. She said, Elvis.

That’s Elvis? I said, immediately smitten by him.

Kelly introduced us, and as soon as our eyes met, I felt butterflies in my stomach. I had never had that happen before. I was instantly attracted to him and couldn’t help myself from smiling ear to ear.

I was wearing my black pants that fit me just right with a medium blue short-sleeve T-shirt that had laces on the sides, and my long naturally curly brown hair was straightened. I was looking and feeling pretty hot. I felt confident that he was in my league, and I was secretly hoping that he was digging me too.

We couldn’t keep our eyes off one another. He made sure that when we sat down at the table that he was right next to me. I began to get a little nervous, and my palms started to sweat. We made small talk, but the music was so loud that it was hard to hear each other.

We all decided to get out onto the dance floor and let the music take control of our bodies. Elvis and I danced really close. There was no question—he was definitely attracted to me. We didn’t have to say a word. We both knew there was some kind of unspoken magnetism between us.

However, I was just coming out of a marriage and was not ready to begin something new. So being the good girl I was, we went home separately and didn’t exchange numbers. Chalk it up to bad timing.

Months went by before I saw him again. This time, we accidently ran into one another at a bar called The Tap Room, which is above a local favorite pizzeria and brewery called The Black Horse. Many men and women associated with the military go here frequently, so it was full of eligible and good-looking bachelors. Who doesn’t love a man in uniform?

I was with my friend Sherry, and he was with his friend Chuck. I was not expecting to see him and was totally unprepared. From across the room, our eyes met, and instantly, he recognized me. Sherry and I walked over to the guys and pulled up a stool next to them at the bar. We ordered a small drink and started a conversation with the boys.

Were the butterflies still there? Yes, and this time, they were even stronger. Sherry knew that I was interested in Elvis but warned me that he was a player. So I played it cool and cautious. We told Elvis and Chuck that we were planning on going to Kickers, so we couldn’t stay long. To our surprise, and my delight, they wanted to tag along.

They had already been drinking for a while and were in no shape to drive, so I drove Chuck in Chuck’s truck while Sherry had Elvis ride with her in her jeep to our next destination, which wasn’t that far away.

The four of us made it to Kickers in minutes. Even though we drove in separate vehicles, Elvis was quickly by my side. We made our way upstairs where they played current hits that everyone loved to dance to. Downstairs was country music, and I don’t think the guys knew how to two-step, but I didn’t care.

We sat down at a table and ordered drinks. We talked, laughed, and danced for a couple of hours. We even ventured downstairs to the karaoke room, but we all chickened out. By now, it was getting late, and we were getting tired, so it was time to go.

I drove Chuck’s truck, but this time, Elvis managed to find his way in the truck with me. Sherry drove Chuck to his house in her jeep. As I drove Elvis back to Chuck’s house, we talked about many things. He informed me that he was from Chicago and that he had a two-year-old daughter who lived there as well. He had never been married, and he didn’t have a girlfriend. I was thinking, Why is he still single? He is too good to be true.

It was a short drive to Chuck’s house, and before I knew it, we were there. I parked Chuck’s truck and handed him his keys. Sherry and I hugged Elvis and Chuck good-bye. Then we headed back home once again without exchanging numbers, so nothing came of it yet again.

A few more months went by, and I was getting lonely and kind of depressed. I hated being single. I was beginning to think that I would never meet the right man. I wanted an educated, successful, and fun man. Someone who could keep me on my toes and motivate me to step out of my comfort zone to be more adventurous. I guess I had high expectations, but deep down, I knew that the man of my dreams was out there. My mind kept coming back to Elvis. I knew we had a connection, but I was very shy and would never make the first move . . . or would I?

After a few unsuccessful dates, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I asked Kelly to talk to Chris to see if Elvis would be interested in having a date with me. I felt like I was back in high school, but I had to do something because I was in dating hell. I knew that I liked him and was pretty sure that he liked me too.

A few days later, Kelly called me with great news. Elvis was indeed interested and would be calling me soon. When he called, we talked for hours. We were both pleasantly surprised at how easy our conversation was. I found out why he was called Elvis. His first name was really James and his last name was Costello. So the nickname had nothing to do with Elvis Presley, but Elvis Costello, another singer—one that I wasn’t too familiar with. It was still a cool nickname. His family called him Jim, but because my ex-husband’s name was Jim, I decided to keep calling him Elvis. We had a lot to talk about, and there was an obvious attraction. So we decided to set up a date for the following weekend. I was so excited and giddy. I felt like a teenager. The weekend couldn’t get here fast enough.

He planned the entire date. We drove to Nashville to buy him some new clothes at Opryland Mall. He needed a woman’s perspective when it came to picking out clothes and wanted my advice.

While walking in the mall, I was starting to get a chill, and my hands felt like ice, so I grabbed Elvis’s hand, and we continued to shop hand in hand just like school kids. It was so innocent and sweet.

Later, we had dinner at Sala Thai—a Thai restaurant on West End. They had the best spring rolls I had ever tasted. There was this amazing dipping sauce that kind of tasted like peanut butter. Yum!

At dinner, our conversation flowed, and I learned more about him. We talked about the different countries that he had visited. I was fascinated but at the same time jealous. Ever since I was a little girl, I had wanted to travel and see the world, and he had already been to Australia, Korea, and China. So far, the date was going exceptionally well.

As we got into the truck to head for our next venue, he leaned over and gave me a kiss on the lips. The kiss was soft and sensual. My heart skipped a beat, and chills went throughout my entire body. This is how a kiss should feel, I thought.

We were off to Bourbon Street Blues Club downtown in Printers Alley. The music was intoxicating, or was it Elvis’s company? I felt so alive. I was living in the moment, something that I hadn’t done in a very