I think one of the things we need to do is redefine 'hope'. Something I noticed in that and the other 'end of life' articles in the series was both doctors and family members continually saying things about not wanting to remove hope/give up hope. Like dying is the last few minutes in a hotly contested sports game where a three pointer at the buzzer could stop it, but only if you believe.

What if hope was not 'that x will get better', but 'that we can look at what IS going to happen and deal with *that* in the most comfortable way possible' And do it long before there is no choice to stay in denial. I would much rather have that conversation with my doctors when it *isn't* immediate, so that when the time comes it is one less thing to worry about/stress over.

In just about every situation, good or bad, that I've been in it's the not knowing, not having a plan that causes the most stress.