My 81 year old grandmother has been in the early stages of dementia for some time now. About a month ago it got bad enough that we couldn't take her out to eat anymore. Earlier this week she was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, which has happened several times before. After a couple of days she was transferred to a nursing home to finish recovery until she could go home. The next day, though, they found that fluid was building up in her lungs and she was sent back to the hospital.

Today we got the call that the lack of oxygen has not improved and her brain and heart are beginning to fail. She could die as early as today, and almost certainly will within the week. I'm leaving in several hours to see her for what will probably be the last time. Immediately afterwards my parents are taking me to be fitted for a suit for her funeral.