Debra Dawn Callaghan (Kearns)

Debra Dawn Callaghan (Kearns) passed away peacefully at her home in Chemainus, BC on April 29, 2020, at the age of 66.

Debra is survived by her mother Marlyn, sister Diane, husband Patrick, daughters Ryann and Shannon, grandchildren Maya, Dylan, Morgan and her precious fur-child Simon Cougar. She is preceded in death by her father Jack Kearns.

Debra was born on May 21,1953 in Whitemouth, Manitoba to Jack and Marlyn Kearns. She lived most of her life in Winnipeg, MB. She moved to Chemainus, BC in 2011 to care for her parents. Debra married her husband Patrick Moe in 2016. She and Patrick juggled the challenges of living between Fresno, CA and Vancouver Island, BC. They travelled together through the United States, and to Mexico, Baja, Thailand, Ireland, and Greece.

Debra is remembered as a fun and loving person who cherished her family and friendships dearly.

A celebration of life will be scheduled later in the year (for Chemainus, Winnipeg and US families) when we return to the new normal post COVID-19.

UPDATE: Winnipeg Celebration of Life will be held on July 18, 2020 - Details

The update fairy April 27, 2020

4/27 For those who didn't know, Debs tap came out Sunday morning and the ambulance took her to the Nanaimo hospital at 4am. Deb had her tap reinserted and was released yesterday at 2:30pm. Deb has been pain free but it took allot out of her. Last night she was restless all night but pain free. She has been sleeping most of the day today. I'm hoping the sun will come out later today so she can get some deck time. Day by day. 🍀🍁🐈💋

The Update Fairy April 23-24, 2020

Here are pats updates from the last few days.

4/23 Deb is home. To start, Deb's meds were increase last night from 30 mgs morphine to 60 both time released. Here is the sequence of events for today. Deb's GP calls at 11:10am. The palliative nurse was here and told the doctor what was happening. The doc said he would call to see who could help Deb. 11:17 the doc called back and said the hospital in Nanaimo will call me. At 12:14 I get a call from the hospital to come in. At 1:10 I leave for Nanaimo which is 36 kilometers away (21 miles away for you know who). Arrived at the hospital all locked down at 2:00. I said  imagining is waiting for me. The doctor comes out and tells me what's going to take place. They get Deb and at 3:15 the doc comes back out and says we got it repaired. They replaced and put in a new tube from her liver to her gallbladder. We arrived at home at 4:05. Thanks to Kathy Fox who help me get Deb in and out of the car because Deb being stoned immaculate from the new meds. Day by day! 

4/24 continued from yesterday. Comment on medical care here. Yesterday Debs GP diagnosed what needed to be done with Deb at 12:17pm and Deb got home a little after 4:00. That was nothing but incredible. Deb got home and slept 4 hours and was still in Zombie land until 4 this afternoon. The nurse contacted the G P and we all agreed to go back to 30 mgs of morphine instead of 60. She has been without pain more or less with the morphine. Now she is allot more lucid.   Deb wasn't able to walk yesterday or today. She is better now and with a good night sleep without hallucinating, hopefully she will be stronger tomorrow. One day at a time. 

The Update Fairy for April 22, 2020

Sorry for the late update. Mom took a bit of a tumble on the way to the bathroom the night before last so they took things easy yesterday. I talked to mom briefly on the phone this afternoon, (before she had to let me go to let the nurse do her job) but she was in good spirits and "hanging in there".

The Update Fairy April 20, 2020

Update from Pat:

4/20 Deb had a pain free night and day today. So much better physical and mentally better than yesterday. Me also. She was out on the deck a couple of hours today. The last from 3:30 to close to 5. She then did DUO time with her daughters. As I was told,there will be good days and bad days. Let hope for another good one tonight and tomorrow. 🍀🍁🐈💋

The update Fairy for April 19, 2020

My sister and I were able to have a joint video chat with my mom on Saturday.  We talked a bit about her experience and her wishes going forward. She is tired. We are all agreed we don't want her to be in pain.

Pat sent this update last night:

4/19 Deb didn't have a good day today.  She told me she wants to go home. She is not drinking much water but is thirsty. I'll see about getting an IV tomorrow. She says she love you all.

The Update Fairy for April 17, 2020

Update from Pat

4/17. Deb had a good night and day with mild pain. Not very lucid but not in pain. We're on the deck right now enjoying a perfect evening. Let's hope for another good night. Deb says she loves you all.