It is devastating when a busy person who thrives on setting goals and meeting them is suddenly struck with a serious illness--a situation made worse if the person is responsible for caring for others.

Barbara Gabogrecan had always been a busy woman with a plan, one who thrived on setting goals and meeting them. In addition to her many professional responsibilities, she was caring for her blind and deaf ninety-year-old mother who was battling dementia. Her husband's chronic back condition left him bedridden much of the time. She didn't have the time or energy to deal with any more--and...