A man in his 80s suffering mild dementia (the story is courtesy of Shukan Gendai magazine) is cared for by his wife, also in her 80s. She's exhausted. Caregiving drains the prime of life, let alone the end of it.

The man is diagnosed with bowel cancer. The doctor suggests surgery, but the question arises: Can a body enfeebled by age and illness survive it? Maybe, maybe not. Left unattended, the cancer will at best cause acute discomfort. It's up to the family, says the doctor. The wife favors the operation. A son, in his 60s, opposes it. He lives far away and, though sympathetic and concerned, is unable to be of much help on a day-to-day basis. The patient, who is able despite his dementia to communicate up to a point, remains silent, as if to say, "Whatever you decide." His wife decides. The operation takes place. The patient dies.

Mother and son fall out. "You wanted the operation to kill him," he says.