Who We Are

William and Karen

Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall of 2013. She had a partial mastectomy and removal of 6 lymph nodes from her armpit. Chemotherapy followed by radiation was complete by the spring of 2014. 80% of breast cancers are cured at this point.

In the spring of 2015 a pain in her spine proved to be a return of the cancer. Karen's breast cancer is Stage 4.  This is not a manageable, chronic illness. Karen and I have been married over 40 years and this is a story about dying.

The blog title "A Blanket with Buttons" refers to one of Karen's recent dreams. A side effect of certain medications is vivid dreams. Karen woke me up and said, "I've got a solution; a blanket....a blanket with buttons. That should work; what do you think? That solves everything. Don't you think I'm smart?  Her eyes are closed and I realize she's talking in her sleep. A solution?  A cure or perhaps some comfort.

Our address if you wish to send a button for Karen's blanket: 
William Evertson
20 Oak Tree Ln
Lyme, CT 06371