My father died Easter Saturday from complications of lung cancer and other lung diseases related to smoking. The previous week really, really sucked while we talked to Dad's doctors and family members who are doctors and nurses. In the end, Dad made the call and decided not to go back on a respirator.

His blood gases looked good, an infection and fluid accumulation in his right lung abated, so they removed him from the respirator. I was not sure what his long term chances were, but he was in distress and had significant problems with mucus in his upper respiratory tract. They cleared his airway and he appeared to be doing better, but his long term chances were nil. We left the hospital to take the kids home around 8:30. I planned to return around midnight. My brothers phoned me just before 9PM that Dad was in distress, then again just after 9PM that he had died.