Like a freight train rolling down the tracks to an uncertain crossing the cancer is unstoppable. This was the weekend of the crash. Rising concern bordering on panic as symptoms spiraled out of my ability to keep Karen comfortable. Being a weekend it took forever to get any medical advice but finally our home hospice care supervisor recommended the ER. Perhaps I was only dealing with an infection. If only; last year's scare was a pneumonia, very serious but Karen recovered. She was diminished by it and never was able to come off supplemental oxygen. Still we had the most precious gift of all; more time. Ultimately Karen was hospitalized on the palliative care floor of our local hospital. Karen's rejected further treatments this morning so we only made her comfortable with pain medications. Last night I slept on a cot at her bedside. We shared what was to be our last kiss. Today she saw friends. But today she also shut down. Mostly sleeping during the day. I left to go home to freshen up. Our son Ian at her side. She woke up, took off her oxygen cannula. She wouldn't let him put it back. Minutes later she passed. Minutes later I arrived. My lover has died. I'm sure there is poetry that she brought Ian into the world and he held her hand as she passes to the next. I am sure there is power in her soul that she needed to pass to Ian. He and I will carry her memory forward. Our friends have surrounded us and showered their love on us. But one of the final chapters has been written. This is the "what comes next" I love her so much. Photo - William Evertson - The Last Kiss
16 Comments
Teri Prestash
3/29/2017 09:09:20 pm
Beautifully written. Just like the story of your lives together.
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Mara
3/29/2017 09:10:52 pm
May you all find peace in the "what comes next". You all are so brave. Condolences
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Laura G. Einstein
3/29/2017 09:11:20 pm
William, I am touched by your love for Karen and by your allowing others to share in your journeys. How fortunate for you both to have loved and to have had ia profound love returned. You will both remain in my thoughts and prayers.
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eric clingen
3/29/2017 09:15:33 pm
Bill, Ian, and all of all of Karen's family and dear friends,
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Barbara Frish
3/29/2017 09:32:18 pm
Your love, commitment, bravery, astounds me. Your ability to share this with all of us astounds me too. On this sad day you have had what everyone aspires to - a profound and deep love both given and received and that will be with you forever. As your cousin said... life is about love. Sending mine to you.
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Bibi
3/29/2017 09:50:15 pm
sending all of you a lot of love
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Jonathan Breux
3/29/2017 09:54:30 pm
Oh Bill, I am so sorry. We are with you and will be. much love JB and Pat
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Ramona Sablón
3/29/2017 10:10:20 pm
Mr. E, You and Karen had a love the likes of which I've never seen. She fought with dignity and grace, as she lived. One of the greatest bosses I've ever had. May she rest in peace. Prayers and love to you and Ian. ♡
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ruud.janssen
3/30/2017 12:44:45 am
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. You capture the emothions in your words. I admire the strenght you and Karen have. I wish you strenght in the coming time.
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Caroline Malseed
3/30/2017 01:17:11 am
You were a wonderful loving husband to her. Peace be with you, Bill. And love to Ian.
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Maureen Hulsart
3/30/2017 07:36:40 am
You and Ian were blessed to share in her life. You have my deepest sympathies. Karen was a special lady.
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Ellen Fisher
3/30/2017 08:29:58 am
Thinking of you and Ian, and Karen. She was truly someone who glowed from within with intelligence and empathy and humor.
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Jane Wang
3/30/2017 09:39:40 am
I am so sorry Bill, love to you and Ian. Karen's beautiful spirit is here all around us and I will think always of her smile and the lovely sight of the two of you together
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Carol Ferrucci
3/30/2017 01:29:55 pm
Such a beautiful love story that will continue on. Our hearts go out to Bill and Ian. Such a wonderful woman who has inspired so many of us.
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Jim Malseed
3/30/2017 03:33:17 pm
Bill,
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Deirdre and Mark Silverman
4/1/2017 05:11:55 pm
For us, a little from college then just once a year, not close friends but we have a flip book of Karen memories, and can easily reverse the flip and see someone who is so smart so vital so alive so funny, and wish she lived nearby so we could be real friends, not just part of the cast. Still, we will miss Karen and shed our tears.
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AuthorWilliam and Karen - Karen and I have been married for 41 years. Karen's breast cancer has reached stage 4. This is what happens next. Archives
May 2017
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