We had those conversations with them ahead of time, and signed DNRs, and steeled ourselves to make some tough decisions. They were both in hospice at the end and it was difficult not to intervene at points, but I was determined to let them go the way they wanted and not make them suffer for any selfish motive on my part.

Obviously I was joking about death panels but that was a political talking point used to attack a provision in ACA that would have facilitated conversations about end-of-life care.