The news was not good. The cancer was widespread. All my father-in-law asked of me was to locate a therapist who could provide massage for him. It sounded so simple. But it was not. Phone call after phone call, I was told no. No because he was “too sick.” No because “massage is contraindicated for people with cancer.” No because “that’s not the kind of massage I do.” This was the experience that launched my career in palliative massage therapy.