when my mother was elderly and in hospital. The doctors took me to one side and said she had no quality of life left and they weren't going to 'assist' her medically any further "did I understand what they meant". I said I did.

However, the next day my older brother went to the hospital and disagreed. She had a few more years in pain and was desperately unhappy and mentally ill and on drugs of all descriptions. Even my brother said later that he regretted what he had done.

When, eventually, she was yet again 'on her death bed' I went to the ward sister and said 'you aren't going to prolong this are you, please?'. She nodded that they weren't.

It was the hardest decision I ever made, but I could no longer watch a cabbage in such misery.

Actually, just before she died, my sister and I were at her bedside. She hadn't spoken for days, but she suddenly said "thank you" and mentioned both our names.

I neither considered it assisted suicide nor euthanasia. I believe I did the right thing in allowing her to slip away peacefully and to no longer suffer in this life.

I can't type any more, cos I'm now too distressed.