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Elizabeth Edwards chose to spend the last few days at home surrounded by her family, rather than in a hospital. Next about love and life, there is a more critical and personal decision of how to die Elizabeth Edwards chose to die at home, surrounded by her family North CarolinaHospice treatment can provide relief of suffering, social work, chaplain, acupuncture tailored to needs

(CNN)--Elizabeth Edwards died Tuesday after doctors told her further cure cancer would be "counterproductive". It was at home, surrounded by people who loved her.

Next to choosing a life partner or becoming a parent, there is a more personal decision of how to die for those who have the opportunity to choose from.

When thresholds of modern medicine, is a serious consideration for patients who ultimately ill. For some, making a conscious decision to end treatment is equivalent to the abandonment or giving. They worry disappointing people that they are interested in.

But one expert end-of life sees otherwise, noting that an increasing number of patients choosing Hospice, in order to be able to become comfortable in the familiar environment with family and friends close by.

Elizabeth Edwards dies at 61

"People don't want to die Hospice. Want to live, and who want to live well, "said Dr. David Casarett, Associate Professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "You want to use any time you need to live the best they can. I don't think that abandonment. This makes a careful choice. "

Hospice care relieves pain and suffer from social, psychological and spiritual needs of patients who ultimately ill. They can receive services such as acupuncture, pain relief, social work and access to a chaplain, depending on the needs of each patient. Hospice care does not try to cure the disease. By contrast, aims to make the lives of patients comfortable.

"The easiest thing is to go after treatment after treatment, and to say Yes to gets offered then," said Casarett. "The brave thing yourself asking what is important, which is important, what is best for you and your family Hospice and choosing in this manner.

"It's about how you want to spend time. This is not a death wish. They get so much enjoyment every day, and are hopeful they wake up tomorrow as the person with the most aggressive treatment. "

People who are generally Hospice do after learning of the doctor that there are not more useful treatment options.

Among those who have fought for years, terminal illness will house and stop editing can be a sad decision, but also can bring relief.

"We all know, in a certain period of time, our days are numbered," said Donald Schumacher, President & CEO of the National Hospice and palliative care organization. "When you hanging for a cure and receive news that is sad and difficult to accept. If you have live in pain for years in difficulty, the comfort that they receive from Hospice is an incredible relief. "

Even in death, most people don't worry about themselves.

"Their No. 1 Concern is not for themselves, but for loved ones," said Dr. Joan Tenojoki river, Professor of Community health at the University Brown, investigating end-of-life care. "It is an important moment in the family. ... Their Favorites that perierismoys and tell what role they played in his life and also testify to that. "

According to a study published in the August edition of the New England Journal of medicine, palliative care patients in such had better quality of life and fewer depressive symptoms than patients receiving standard care.

Vailia Dennis, 91, who lives near San Diego, California, has opted for Hospice care during receiving a heart surgery almost seven years ago. Refusing to get surgery to correct a heart condition that ultimately will harden the Aorta.

"I saw people--especially the elderly--don't get is the same person after an operation," he said. "Stay in bed until you die. I said, ' no I am not going to do that. I am not going to endanger anytime have dropped from having an operation. " "

Dennis lives at home and has lost all doctor expectations. They calculated that it would live less than six months without surgery.

"Ever since I got sick, is a world leisure, comfort and joy, is a whole different world. Can I not someone else, "said Dennis, who takes care of the San Diego Hospice and the Institute for apobiwnoyn medicine.

This considers daily pains and aches, but she enjoys strong connection with family and friends.

"We must realise, always, we have nothing left to prove," said about her family show love for her. "My son, precious son, has asked me every morning for six and a half years to okay sure mama."

Dennis does not know why she has lost all medical considerations, but offers this theory:

Accidentally I picked up "a book of philosophers. I got to (Benedict) Spinoza, "he said."Spinoza said God is love, we are all parts of God, that love is the most important thing that we have in the world, the most successful thing.

"And he went to say that both for anyone who loves to know fellow man ever pain of death. This is important for me. Be honest and real. "

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"Guess who stepped in. Yep, Brandi," DeForest said. "She got a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness and recovered a fumble."

DeForest said getting used to the fact that so many of the things her daughter enjoyed just months ago, like playing basketball, playing a game of chase with her children and spending quality time with her family, are no longer possible.

"I can't get accustomed to the fact that she's not going to be running through my front door," DeForest said. "Our house is not handicap accessible and she will not be able to come over for Christmas."

She also said Brandi is missing out on visits with her 83-year-old grandfather "Pop," who "she adores."

"He lives in a house with nine steps going straight up," DeForest said.

The biggest impact, according to DeForest, is the fact that her free-spirited, strong-willed daughter has lost her independence.

"My daughter has fallen on many occasions," she said, adding that she has to call on her parents, who live less than a mile, away for help. "Do you know she always apologizes to us? Can you believe that? It hurts to have her tell us how sorry she is for needing so much."

She also said during the sentencing hearing that just days before the attack Brandi, who was working 50-55 hours per week to raise her children, discovered she could do it all on her own.

But "the worst" emotion her daughter has struggled with is the fact that despite her beauty and fun-loving spirit, Brandi could spend the rest of her life alone.

"I think for her the worst is that she thinks she is going to be alone for the rest of her life, that nobody will every want to marry her again, now that she is in a wheelchair," DeForest said.

Furthermore, DeForest said even after months, certain fears remain for Brandi.

"She won't sit with her back to the door at a restaurant, and in large crowds, one of us has to walk behind her," DeForest said. "She jumps when someone approaches her from behind and touches her. She says she looks at people differently now. She's always wondering if they could have the intention of stabbing her."

And what about Olivia, Brandi's nine-year-old daughter?

"For months, she slept with a baseball bat next to her bed," DeForest said, adding that Brandi's five-year-old son, Lincoln, has also been effected by the incident.

And DeForest said had he not attacked her, Howard might have found a sense of hope in Brandi's spirit.

"Mr. Howard, do you know the ironic thing about this? If you would have went to that (park) bench and sat down and talked to her, Brandi would have talked your leg off, treated you with respect and told you many stories about her children," DeForest said. "I know you have been tormented and I hope, while incarcerated, you learn how special you are in God's eyes."

When it comes to the mental health system, DeForest said Howard had in some way been a victim of improper care.

"Our system for helping people in your condition is a failure and needs to be changed," she said. "I make a promise to you and Brandi, I am going to do everything in my power to bring this to our lawmakers' attention."

Meanwhile, as Brandi was greeted by a barrage of media personnel as she exited the courtroom Wednesday, she said she was "excited" that the trial had come to an end.

"I am excited about being able to put this behind me and go forward," Brandi said, adding that she is ready to get back to work and therapy and working on walking again.

Doctors have told Brandi she has a less than one percent chance of walking again, but she testified Tuesday she has seen some improvements since making a trip to California and undergoing therapy at Project Walk and intends to continue therapy here at home.

"If you had seen her work (at regaining her ability to walk), you would believe that she will walk again," DeForest said.

For Brandi, the verdict was not all about herself and the pain her family has endured.

"I'm not worried about me, I've already survived being stabbed," Brandi said, adding she is relieved there is now a chance Howard will not hurt anyone else for the next 20 years.

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