Life is precious, no matter the circumstance. My sister-in-law had three bouts of brain cancer before their was nothing else the doctors could do. The day before she died, she was unable to speak or move. My wife and I brought our two children, then 11 and 8, to her bedside to say our farewells. At first, the kids were hesitant to go but they realized that their aunt would appreciate them seeing her. They never thought that they would be shown just how much and that they would never forget the expression of thanks that beamed from her eyes as she saw them. All she had left was her eyes, and the heartfelt appreciation she could express through them. My kids are both grown now and they have never forgotten that visit.
My sister just had a stroke last month. She is now in rehab and looking forward to returning home on July 17th. No institution for her — she will continue the rehab in her own home.