[oldE]

In the case of my eldest brother, cancer had destroyed his lungs. He was on oxygen for the last three months, in hospice for the last ten days. I guess in the end, his lungs were filling with fluid and no oxygen was getting into the bloodstream. The cancers were attacking other parts of his body as well.

At age 81, he had crossed off everything on his "bucket list" and had accepted the fact his body was shutting down. I made it out for a visit for the last four days. The best thing we could do for him was be close, supportive and keep the drugs coming in an appropriate quantity.

Hospice nurses: as stated above, Angels in my view. Most of us in that situation have so little understanding of what is actually happening and are experiencing a wide range of emotions. These amazing people help us and our loved one through with their compassion and competence.
I hugged them all before we left.

When you consider the body and the systems which allow us to survive, you tend not to do the crazy things which seemed normal in your youth.

Best
Les