Abstract
I have been a visiting nurse for more than 30 years. During that time, I have been a case manager, a supervisor, a team manager, and a wound ostomy continence specialist (WOCN). I have had all kinds of patients, including many seriously ill cancer patients. My colleagues consider me a knowledgeable, compassionate, and committed nurse. You would think I would be well prepared when serious illness came knocking on my door. I wasn't.