For Mike Samuels, a retired chemical engineer with decades of experience in university teaching and industrial research, the path to hospice care began with a simple but troubling symptom: severe shortness of breath while walking. As his condition worsened over several months in 2024, Mike found himself shuttling between specialists, searching for answers.
“By the start of October 2024, I had spent three months running back and forth between a cardiologist and a pulmonologist, trying to find a solution for the severe shortness of breath I experienced every time I tried to walk at more than a very slow pace,” Mike shares.
After multiple consultations, tests, and hospital visits, Mike received difficult news. His doctors confirmed he was experiencing problems in both his cardiac and pulmonary systems, with no further treatments available to improve his condition.
The Decision to Choose Hospice
Having already witnessed the professionalism and compassion of TRU Community Care through his and his wife Sue’s years as TRU volunteers, Mike decided to pursue palliative care, which later transitioned to hospice care.
“My wife and I agreed that I should seek palliative care with TRU,” Mike writes. “Following that, it became clear to me that hospice care would meet my needs as nothing else would.”
Mike’s transition into hospice was smooth, beginning with palliative care in mid-October 2024 and moving to full hospice services by mid-November.
What Hospice Provides
One aspect of hospice care that surprised Mike was the comprehensive support he received:
“TRU’s program includes a weekly visit with my hospice nurse, all medicines required to combat the diseases that give me a short life span expectation at this time, and all durable medical equipment I need, including a home oxygen concentrator.”
The medication management particularly impressed him: “I have found this service nothing short of amazing. When I first entered palliative care, I was having a hard time sleeping and spent most of the daytime with a dry hacking cough. Now, I get wonderful relief from the coughing, and sleeping is no longer a problem for me.”
Beyond Physical Care
Mike emphasizes that hospice provides emotional and spiritual support as well. He and his wife also receive biweekly visits from a TRU chaplain, which has been especially meaningful to Sue as she comes to terms with the prospect of losing her husband of nearly 60 years.
“My wife has found the chaplain’s visits very comforting as she walks through the fact that her husband of nearly 60 years, and the vast majority of her life, will not be here to help her navigate her remaining years.”
Why Sharing Matters
Mike’s motivation for sharing his story stems from encounters with others who could have benefited from hospice but hesitated. He recounts meeting a fellow community member with pulmonary fibrosis who seemed uncomfortable discussing hospice options and tragically passed away shortly after their conversation.
Mike also reflects on earlier medical experiences, noting how much anxiety could be relieved if healthcare providers were more forthcoming about what patients should expect. This philosophy drives his desire to demystify hospice for others who might benefit from it.
Finding Peace in the Journey
Despite facing a life-limiting illness, Mike approaches his situation with remarkable clarity and acceptance. When asked if there were things he would do differently if given the chance, or experiences he wished he’d had, his answer was simple: “not really.”
Having lived a fulfilling life professionally and personally, with a loving family including three children and four grandchildren, Mike has found peace in this final chapter. His focus now is on sharing what he’s learned to help others make informed choices about their own end-of-life care.
“I hope you have found this information helpful to you in your decision whether or not to enroll in a hospice,” Mike concludes in his letter.
Through Mike’s generosity in sharing his journey, countless others may find the courage to explore hospice care sooner, potentially transforming what could be a difficult time into one of comfort, dignity, and peace.
