My thoughts are with you at this difficult time, SJ.
My Mum deteriorated very slowly over 2 years, with mini strokes, heart failure and loss of appetite. The doctor came in the morning and told my sister and I to expect my Mum to die within the week. He wanted her to go into hospital. He said that he'd felt a 'mass' in her intestines, inferring cancer. I was very angry that this hadn't been discovered earlier. The doctor was startled by my outburst. I said that if she was going to pass away so soon, there's no way I was letting her go to hospital. She hated Barnsley hospital and would want to die at home. She passed away at 5.25pm the same day, very suddenly. I think she had a heart attack. The same doctor visited the next day and said how glad he was that he didn't put her in the hospital. He didn't have to come and I thought it very kind of him. I saw him some months later for a minor ailment and as I was leaving his room, he looked me straight in the eye and said, "Thank you". I've never been entirely sure why, but I think he was just glad that I hadn't sued them for negligence. He retired soon after.
Cherish the good times and hold your memories close to your heart. They'll see you through the bad times. Good luck, SJ!