Personal Narrative: Ms. Silverfox's Case

In 2013, an estimated 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed among US women, as well as an estimated 64,640 additional cases of in situ breast cancer.That year, approximately 39,620 US women were expected to die from breast cancer. During May of 2001, I’ll never forget visually experiencing what cancer does to people. I saw my grandmother grow extremely sick and then die due to breast cancer. In that moment I was thoroughly confused as to why doctors couldn’t prevent this from happening; what didn’t they know? What didn’t they do? I lost my best friend to this horrible disease, and as I grew older, I realized I didn’t want anyone to feel such pain.

This is the every day life of a girl who was very suspicious. No, not like she killed someone or anything; she was just a very closed off person. She was never in the same room as everyone else, especially when it’s packed.. She only talked to someone if she has to. She was the respectful student. She never talked unless the teacher asks her to. She never liked getting put into groups because she thought no one really liked her. Her name is Taylor.

There I was on the block next to the High Bar. It was about 5:00 at night when my coach told me to do a Kip. As I got up on the bar my nose filled with the smell of chalk. I started to swing, and as I came out of my half turn I looked good. Everything seemed fine but as I came to the part of the Kip where I have to pull my legs up to the bar, I slammed my shins into the bar. My momentum was stopped and I dropped on to the mat, missing the Kip. I felt like I had let down my coach and I had let down myself too. That day I experienced failure. That failure made me want my Kip even more so I worked harder and had support from my teammates.

“Casey, your group needs to do the stunt one more time!” coach said imprudently. It happened March 26, 2015; it was at the end of a two hour practice. During the summer months in South Georgia, it is utterly hot and humid, especially in our cheer gym (a warehouse with no air conditioner); it only has two heavy-duty fans and a roll-up door. With this in mind, my group became slightly irritated. Everyone was exhausted; nevertheless we still had to do the stunt anyway.

Last summer I wanted to work and earn a little cash and distract myself and not be home all summer. I didn't know where to apply so I applied everywhere I was even open to working in the fields my parents told me that the fields were the last place they ever wanted me to work. My mom and step dad Raul always told me that field work wasn't easy and that it was not for me but I didn't listen.

I have been in the Marine Corps for roughly three and a half years and throughout that time I have done many things. Most of the things that I have done were with Combat Logistics Battalion 26. For three years, I worked with that unit through work ups and a deployment and I have seen and done many unique things. However, nothing I did with CLB 26 felt fulfilling, but that all changed when I changed units to CLB 8.

I was born on a late August’s night, in Longview, WA, at St. John’s hospital. While time rushed by for everyone, for my parents it was almost as if time stood still as they gazed down at their baby girl. They named that beautiful baby girl, Averi M. Klein. As a little girl, I loved the color pink and like to dress up in frilly dresses. My playmates were the boys that lived next door and we would go out into the little wooded area behind our home and play.

I have worked for The Advocate, a Baton Rouge award winning newspaper, for more than 23 years. When I first hired on in May of 1992, it was only to be a temporary job until I finished college. Before computers and electronic layout programs simplified this process with the click of a button, people had to cut out and paste the stories, pictures, and advertisements that appeared in the daily newspaper. This was my job: I was a Compositor. I worked evenings so this allowed me the availability to go to school during the day. I have always been a hard worker and taken pride in whatever assignment I was given. This character trait was recognized by others and I was quickly promoted to other jobs. As the computer age and world wide web came to life,

A speak is moving on the paper. Tracing every letter with a little spark that flickers. I stick my fingers out to touch it and the instant contact burns me and I drop the paper with a gasp. Light comes up from the ground the second the paper hits the floor, shining so bright it could very possibly light a whole city. I cover my eyes at the brightness of it. The light gets bigger and closer and within less than three seconds, the light surrounds us. I want to scream bloody murder out of pure confusion and fear. Then, I feel as if I'm being sucked forward until my whole body, without my permission, is slowly being lifted off my window seat. I try to grab for Amanda, but everything is gone the second I blink.

to me this describes a young woman, full of energy and foolishness, non conforming to her environment and appearing rebellious at best. Much of this reminds me of my life as a young woman full of dreams and hope, not worried about consequences. And not quite a woman yet.

There are many avocations that I would chose from. But, more specifically, I would aspire to be a unique, “at home style” photographer. Being able to capture simple moments in a strange place like Elsewhere seems so interesting to do. Each day I would grab my camera, go outside, stroll around and observe nature. I would be able to go outside and capture moments of people, the warm sky, or anything that I would want to. The thing is, there are no limits to photography

Me and my cousin Roxanne were close. She lived in the country, so my sisters and I would go to her house every Thanksgiving and play in the small woods that she had in her backyard. So many wonderful memories that I will never forget. Growing up, we would share each other’s secrets and promise each other not tell anyone. We would tell each other what was bothering us in our families, how we feel, the guys we dated, and the guys that broke our hearts. Over the years my sisters, me and Roxanne kept ourselves busy with school, church and our jobs. We grew apart and stopped talking to Roxanne less because of how busy we were. Sometimes we would not have thanksgiving at Roxanne’s house and have Thanksgiving at my grandmother’s house. The last time we were all united, we noticed Roxanne had changed

I stumble out my one-night-stand’s apartment grasping on to the nearest railing for support. Sloppily, I buckle my belt and take a swig from my vodka bottle, stinging my throat with every drop. The bottle slips out of my hand crashing at my feet, almost in slow motion. I giggle hysterically and hobble down the steps. My brain is numb and filled with psychotic thoughts. I grab the car door handle and slump into the cushioned seat, nearly passing out, from a night of careless sex and non-stop alcohol can really put a load on a 5’6, skinny guy. Without thinking a grab my keys and start the car pulling out to the abandoned, dimly lit freeway. Everything was better at night.

I just spoke with Jane, and I informed her that I was conducting the investigation, and I needed to hear from her, what transpired. She told me what her mother conveyed to her, and I informed her of our policy and the next steps. I told her to feel free to contact me should she have any questions.

It all started my senior year of high School, we knew this season would be rough considering we lost eight seniors on the varsity basketball team. Five of which all started every game of the year. We knew we had a tough road ahead of us but looking back we never realized just how tough it was going to be. There were three seniors going into the 2016 girls’ varsity basketball season including me. And only one returning varsity player that wasn’t a senior. We ended up with me as the only starting senior, a junior, two sophomores’, and a freshman. The other teams probably thought our coach was crazy to say the least.