It's never easy either way. 4 years ago, my grandfather, who was like my father and practically raised me, had a major stroke while running on the treadmill. He was in wicked shape and could run circles around most people half his age (he was 81). Anyway, he was unresponsive and on life support for a week when we took him off of support since he had a DNR (do no revive). He had always been very firm that if something happens, HE DID NOT want to live as a vegetable and to just let him go. He was completely independent and never relied on anyone so to have to spoon feed him would have created a living hell for him. As much as we wanted to keep him around, we knew that it was only for selfish reasons and not for him. Anyway, he was moved back home and placed in a hospice setting where he would dwindle away for another two weeks w/o food or water... it was truly the worst thing I have ever had to experience in my life. He would open his eyes periodically and even though he couldn't speak, you could see it in his eyes that he was saying it was okay and to not worry..... on his death bed and still taking care of us! What a man!
Sorry for the hijack... just letting you know I've been there.
