When a nurse is telling you this it is only her opinion and hers' alone. My father in law endured a brain anurysm back in Dec/07 and they gave him 18hrs. To this day he is living with us. Yes he has now got Alzheimers' and it is from my point of view being a Healthcare Aide that he may be around for another couple of yrs or sooner. You can always check for what they cal Mottling. This is where the toes and finger nails change color. The toes being that much more easy to see. The toes will usually get a brownish/blackness to their toes. This can come right up the leg but normally doesn't. Ensure is a great supplement for him but try and get him to eat anything creamy. Things like soups, drinks, nutrient bars, etc. If he is not urinating properly their could be a problem in the prostrate as did happen to my FIL. He ended up going in for Prostrate Surgery to widen the area. Try having him drinking more fluids, this will help him tremendously. As well as cranberry juice.  If he isn't drinking that much you should check his eyes, mouth etc. where moisture is there. If not he could be dehydrating and perhaps be put on IV. My father in law has his Ensure in the a.m. then he eats his fruit and then his bar (Nutrient Bar). I have found that the Ensure gives him more of an appetite. I guess that depends on the individual as well. I think when the nurse answered you, she thought that you were well equipted for death. The only item that really concerns me is the possibility of him getting pneaumonia. I seriously hope that when he goes to the Dr. he will give you so much more Advice, and this is good, even if it hurts your family. It is best to know. Even when he does eat, basically baby food make sure it is not getting caught in the flap in the mouth. If it gathers' there he could choke and you or hubby have to get your fingers in his mouth and get it out. My FIL will eat whatever you give him Take care with him and for him and when the nurse does come in ask her about him dying. She will be the one that you should speak w etc You can't be left in the dark and nor should you be. Take care and if you feel that you need to get it off of your chest by all means call me. Take care and may God be with you!!