[MickeyD]

About a week and a half before my grandmother died, she lost the ablility to swallow. She was in her eighties, had been diagnosed with Alzheimers for 8 years, hadn't spoken a word in 5 years, or moved a muscle on her own in about 2-3 years. Her eyes were still very expressive though. When she was afraid, you could see it in her eyes. When I'd come home from college, or when my dad would come home from work, her eyes would light up. When she was in pain, it was in her eyes. That last week or so, there was no pain in her eyes. None. Her breathing just became more and more shallow, then her spirit was gone. It was very peaceful. I'm no medical expert. I can't say that's how it is when everyone stops receiving food and nourishment. I can only say that was my experience when it happened with my grandma.