That is right, when is it enough?  As a nurse I see more and more everyday and I tell my family the list gets longer and longer of things I am NOT going to allow to be done to me.  Such as:

NO ventilator (breathing machine) no feeding tube (which means they are not putting anything down my nose, my throat or into my stomach) to feed me.  If I can't swallow it, it is not happening unless I can with a clear mind and voice tell you that is what I want.....not someone else speaking for me.  When you force the nurses and doctors to feed me with those awful potent formulas it causes horrible diarreha most of the time, the skin becomes horribly excoriated no matter how good the nursing care may be and ultimately your loved one ends up with broken irritated skin, not to mention the bed sores.

What can you do for me???  You can give me IV fluids to keep me hydrated....you can give me pain medication to keep me comfortable, and come to visit me regularly.  Fix my hair, put on some my favorite cologne, don't act as if I am already gone.  I am still here.

I think all families should sit down with their loved ones and have this discussion.  At some point, we all have to die......we were not put on this earth to stay here forever.....lets make the best of our time here.  Comfort care does not mean the medical profession is not doing anything.....it is just less aggressive....come on folks......most of us don't want to live hooked up to feeding tubes and breathing tubes. 

A registered nurse