He explains that yes, she will recover from immediate episodes, time and again. Broken bones. Flu, even pneumonia. But each of those, for a 78 year old survivor of cancer, heart issues, pulmonary complications and brain function loss, may require intubation. And every time that happens, her body will not muster in time to avoid tracheostomies and long term ventilator therapies. Incisions, tube from the throat, the vocal box, 24-hour monitoring of machinery. The tubes go in her voice box. She loses her voice. This is the condition from which she will not recover.
Light bulb. Gear engaged. My sisters relent. The Rector of her church arranges last rites.