This article describes the experiences involved in the discharge planning of a 70 year old female colorectal cancer patient who had received a permanent enterostomy. During the nursing period, the Orem Self-Care Theory was used as an evaluation framework, and as a result several nursing criteria were established that would help various problems the patient was suffering from. She had, for instance, acute pain from the stretching of her wound while moving in bed, body image disturbance from the change in her physical appearance caused by the permanent enterostomy, and a lack of specific knowledge about her condition made it difficult to prepare for her self-care after release. By developing a good therapeutic relationship with the patient she began to change her attitude toward her body image from initially rejecting to now accepting the fact that she had had an enterostomy. Also, by teaching her family to be a part of her recovery and giving each family member a specific role to play in helping her, and carrying out discharge planning, the patient became more prepared for her discharge from hospital. Consequently she was able to receive a much better and more complete after care service and now has a better quality of life.