John Richardson’s Journey: Finding Hope and Support Through Pall

At just 35 years old, John Richardson of Vincennes, Indiana, has faced more health challenges than most experience in a lifetime. “Back in 2009, I was in a hunting accident where I was shot by another deer hunter,” John recalled. “I had over a foot of intestines removed and other stents in my ureters. Less than a year later, they took my gallbladder out. The stones from my gallbladder ended up causing major issues for my pancreas.”

John’s journey began at Good Samaritan, where he underwent life-saving surgery. “Dr. Neumann was my surgeon who saved my life when I was shot,” John shared. “Thankfully, the bullet didn’t go all the way through my back, so I wasn’t bleeding out.”

Over the years, John’s health continued to decline. “Here recently, when I broke my leg, they found out I was also becoming diabetic. My A1C was as high as 11.2.” he said. The slow healing and constant pain made daily life overwhelming. “There for a while, I didn’t want to do anything but lay in bed because I was in daily pain. My pancreatitis causes pain that starts in my abdomen and pushes straight through to my shoulder blades.”

It was through a friend’s recommendation that John discovered palliative care, and it quickly became a lifeline.

Good Samaritan Palliative Care is a specialized service that focuses on improving quality of life for patients facing serious or chronic illnesses. The team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, and social workers who help manage symptoms, coordinate care, and provide emotional and spiritual support for both patients and their families. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments and is designed to help patients live as comfortably and fully as possible.

“Thankfully someone had mentioned palliative care to me, and it’s made a major difference in my life,” he says. “I’ve been able to start gaining weight back and doing more things with my family.”

John praises his Good Samaritan palliative care team for the holistic support they provide. “They’ve been a major help in not only getting me to the right doctors and appointments, but also helping my family,” he says. “They helped with school supplies for my son, clothes for my 3-year-old daughter, and even protein shakes to help me put on weight.”

To those hesitant about seeking palliative care, John offers encouraging advice: “At least check it out. That’s the least you should do. You wouldn’t believe how much help they could be to not only you, but to your spouse and children.”

Through his journey, John has found both medical care and compassion. “The whole palliative care team—I’d love to thank them,” he says. “With all the stress of breaking my leg and dealing with my pancreas issues, it’s been a major change in my life. It’s great to have someone I can call and get support from immediately.”

For John Richardson, palliative care has been more than a medical service—it has been a source of hope, stability, and a renewed ability to participate fully in life with his family.