The will to live is a basic driving force. As we age and have to make more and more accommodations for our failing facilities it's amazing just how much we find that we can live with. Amazing... sad... call it what you will but it's the reality. Some, of course, choose to check out early but most hang on for dear life right to the end. "Make it quick and painless" is something we all say, but we also say "but not yet".