Mike’s last hike. July 2015
My husband Mike died in October 2015 from neuroendocrine cancer in the pancreas. He was 43 with 4 kids.
This hike came about out of many needs - to do something special on the anniversary of Mike's death, to do something Mike loved, and to teach my kids that we can help some of the people who helped their dad.
Cancer took Mike's life. Palliative care took careful care of Mike's life. Our kids know that there was a lot going on in their dad's body and that the doctors made sure he was not in pain and that he died peacefully. I told them about Palliative Care and we decided our hike would support that program and help other patients and families at Georgetown.
Mike and I met Dr. Heidi Young just before he ended up in ICU. It took about five minutes for us to completely trust her. And after eight days I loved her. She helped us more than I will ever be able to say. Every day - in a calm, gentle, and understanding way - she explained to me what was happening to Mike. She helped me make decisions about his care, about the kids coming in, about trying to get Mike home. There were many factors in making that last decision and in the end Mike decided. But I do remember looking at her and his incredible nurses and doctors and realizing that if we left the hospital they would not be coming with us. At that point they felt like an extension of our family and I desperately needed them.
On October 3, 2014 Mike and I left for 40 miles on the Appalachian Trail. On October 3, 2015 Mike and I left for Georgetown Hospital and he did not come home. Because of this - so many of the nurses and doctors heard about the hike. I think everyone who was there those last days saw the same qualities I did when it was just the two of us on the trail - his incredible strength and ability to push his body, his sense of humor and charm, his mental stamina and curiosity, and his love for the people in his life.
If for any reason at all you would like to join us on November 30, we would love your company.
Katie
Some words from Dr. Heidi Young
Director, Palliative Medicine Program
“I only knew Mike for eight days. Though that doesn’t seem very long, they were eight very profound days. Eight days where I learned so much from Mike and from his loved ones about love, bravery, strength, and selflessness. I spent a few hours talking with Mike about his symptoms and his goals, his family and his job. As he got sicker, I spent many more hours with his loved ones, trying to make plans for his care, figuring things out, day by day.
Palliative medicine can seem a bit vague-what does it mean to provide extra support to seriously ill patients and their families? Well, every patient and family is unique. For Mike and Katie, it was at times aggressive management of his pain, his nausea, his shortness of breath. It was at times joking about the crazy life of raising kids, and a love of hiking. It was trying to convince Katie that it was OK to leave his bedside, even for a bit, to take care of herself. It was figuring out whether to continue aggressive life support, it was holding hands when it was time to stop.
During the short time I knew Mike and his loved ones all of his caregivers, on every hospital floor, were impressed. Not only with his charisma, his bravery, the love between he and Katie, but the overwhelming kindness and support of his family and friends.”
