I wish it were otherwise.  While I am not completely in the dark (my father
died of it), it is of some importance to me to see what happens in the
latter stages.  For instance; when I built my condo, I made a room (which is
now my den) to die in:  Extra electricity, cable hookup, two data drops, two
phone jacks, etc.  But, I don't really know what else I will need.  My dad
died in 1982 when all that happened in a hospital/hospice.

Robert Young and Berky the Warrior went out without a word because they
didn't want us to see it.  I wanna see it.

Hi Bev,
That has its merits.
The people on alt.support.cancer have often expressed that the following has
helped the patient, but especially the friends and/or family members understand
what is happening.  Note however, it doesn't go into specifics such as a
hemorrhage or sudden cardiac arrest or any number of other things that could
happen.  It's what can generally (but not always) happen during the last week
or so of life.
http://www.crossingthecreek.com/
Some have bought the set of three, but the main one is called Crossing the
Creek.
Excerpts are here http://www.crossingthecreek.com/chapter_excerpts.htm
It can be purchased online and arrives within days in the US, a bit longer
maybe to other countries.
If urgent,  a note can be left when ordering/paid, and he emails the person
with a special code to access the full text, while they're awaiting arrival of
the book.
He's blind, years of experience between himself and his wife in palliative
care.
It was available online (free) before, but because he's retired now, he charges
a nominal fee - $20.00/book.
Well worth it, we've been told, for years, by loved ones.

There's some simiilar sections (but not as comprehensive), but had stories
written by the wives, on http://www.phoenix5.org
i think it was under section for wives or caregivers, but the web site seems to
have a problem, right now.
J