Reasonable request.
Thousands of people are dying every day from cancer and other diseases. This is life, this is the way it is. One might say that disease is nature's great equalizer in life. A fact that eventually even the rich and elite are painfully made aware of.
You are right in stating that his exit might affect the political landscape. But, if it does, I don't see how it can really be that big of a deal for very long. There are plenty of other socialists in the wings to fill the void. I suspect that after a suitable period of moaning and rending of garments, the faithful will pick up the banner of socialism and again continue their assault on our few remaining freedoms.
I agree that there are many who will try to foist those ideas following him; however, just as Reagan was unique and towered above many others, the Kennedy mystique chiefly inherited from his brothers has given him more power and position than he might have earned on his own. So his resignation will create a vacuum in many respects, and I say, thank you God for whatever favor this will create for conservatism, without taking away sympathy for the unfortunate impacts on him and his family.