I had to make the no heroic measure decision with my grandmother years ago. She was 87 going on 88. It was a horrible time for my mother after my father being murdered, her heart attack and subsequent quintuple bypass and the trial of the man who killed him. My aunt called and asked me to please make the decision because she couldn't and couldn't ask my mom either. I cried a lot about it but came to the conclusion that all that was left was the vessel that held her and not Nanny herself.

I've told everybody under the sun that will sit still long enough to listen to me that I do not want to be kept alive artificially. I do love the "aid in dying" reference as opposed to "assisted suicide". The article of the man in Rome was pointed out to me by Robert who read it on the back of the page I was reading in the newspaper. It led to a long discussion with him. He's so wise for a twelve year old.