Celestine reflects palliative care on tenth anniversary

Celestine Devietti wouldn’t be anywhere else on October 9 than celebrating the tenth anniversary of the place that gave dignity and peace to her husband in his last moments.

Michael Devietti’s battle with rare cancer, Adenocarcinoma, came to an end at The Townsville Hospital palliative care centre in May 2015 and Celestine said there wasn’t a better place to say goodbye to him.

“Michael was diagnosed in April in 2014 and died in 2015 aged 51,” Celestine said.

“Once Michael reached the end he was cared for on and off in Palliative care and I couldn’t fault our time there.

“The team were extremely helpful with everything and even though it was such a difficult time.

“They assisted when Michael was too weak to walk and needed a walker and wheel chair, helped us with information we needed and kept me informed at every step.”

Celestine said the most important thing that she got from the palliative care centre was time with Michael before he died.

“We were supported to have Michael at home as much as possible before it was not realistic for him to return home after his palliative care admission,” she said.

“When the end was nearing for Michael were prepared and told the signs to look out for.

“I’m forever grateful to this because we knew the signs he was about to go and stayed the whole time up until he died. I know this is what Michael would have wanted; he knew we were there, and he wasn’t alone.”

Celestine said that she was honoured to mark the tenth anniversary of the palliative care centre.

“We are so lucky to have this service available in our community,” she said.

“People do not want to be in a mainstream hospital at the end of their life if they can avoid it.

“Palliative care allows people the space and privacy to be with their loved one among staff who are experienced in this unique area of health.”

Clinical director of the palliative care centre Dr Richard Corkill said there was no-one better to fly the flag for the unit on its tenth anniversary.

“Celestine is a living legacy of what the palliative care centre and specialist palliative and supportive care service can do to support patients to be cared for in their preferred place and with dignity and sensitivity,” he said.

“Her passion for palliative care is infectious and you can’t help but be moved by her story and commitment to the future of palliative care.

“I am very grateful for her continued participation in advocating for our service on its tenth anniversary and her generosity in sharing her husband’s story.”

Dr Corkill said the anniversary was an important opportunity to acknowledge the vision and determination to making the palliative care centre a reality.

“We must acknowledge the more than 1,800 patients that have been cared for in this facility and their loved ones that remain,” he said.

“I also want to make sure that the staff, volunteers, carers, sponsoring businesses are recognised for their valuable contribution to the past 10 years.

“I hope to continue to work together with staff and the community to provide holistic, person-centred care to patients and their families as they near the end of their lives.”