Dinnie Devonshire

[Diamond Coronet]

Good Parish..................Some of you are familar with Dinnie as
she was a frequent visitor on Renaissance and donated our beautiful
street signs to guide around the village. Here is amessage sent by
her family:

Good morning folks,


We are back home from our short getaway. During our absence, Donna
was transported from her home to a hospice in Ottawa South. Liz was
here and oversaw the transition.


There was a marked decline in Donna’s condition while we were away.
Her doctor believed that it was time to make the transition to full
palliative care. Donna is residing in a well-established and highly
recommended hospice. She is receiving excellent care from a team of
nurses, personal support workers and others.


Upon our return last Wednesday, we visited with Donna to ensure that
the transition period was being well handled and that she was
comfortable in her new surroundings. As you might imagine, she was
still somewhat anxious about not having completed all of the work that
she wished to have done while at home. However, she realized that she
could no longer stay there.


When visiting over the course of the last few days, it has become
evident that she was very tired and needed to recoup energy from the
move. She has been on oxygen continuously over the past few days
which provided some small amount of pep.


When visiting yesterday, it was evident that Donna has further
declined and was unable to converse for even a short period. She has
great fatigue and no desire for interaction with anyone. Even having
the nurses monitoring her throughout the day is tiring for her.


While at the hospice yesterday, I met with her palliative doctor.
Donna’s oxygen level has diminished, indicating that her circulation
is slowing down. Her skin colour is bluish, indicating a further
decrease in circulation. Dr. Coulombe advised me that we are now
looking at days and no longer at weeks.


Donna is peaceful, without any discomfort and grateful not to have to
deal with visitors. She dozes off and on and is fully aware of her
weakened state.


We will keep you posted over the next days about any change in her
condition.


Franceen & Pierre


P.S. Please forward to others as you deem appropriate. We do not
necessarily have a complete list of all who should be contacted.