What’s worse?

[Jazzy]

Watching someone you love die slowly (cancer, degenerative disease etc.) or have someone die suddenly?

 

[Lamb]

I've often wondered about this and I've seen loved ones go through a miserable time with health issues and even though I wanted then to remain as long as they could...it wasn't kind. Dying suddenly is kinder.

 

[tango]

Hm. Having seen both it's hard to say which is worse. It's hard seeing a loved one slowly waste away, hurting as they go. But at least that way you get fair chance to say goodbye to them. Getting a phone call that a loved one essentially dropped dead without warning means they didn't suffer but leaves so many things unsaid.

Is there a middle option? Something that you know will be fatal but isn't endlessly drawn out?