But he held on for a few months before the infection finally claimed him . Such a long time , I exclaimed , trying not to think too much about what it must ' ve been like to wither away slowly on that cot and wishing only for the delirium of fever to take away the pain . She closed her eyes and nodded knowingly , mildly savoring the reaction her story has garnered .

Question: What may have happened if this event had not happened ?
Answer: The person would stay out of the hospital .The author would n't have a story to tell .The person would get ill later on in life .The speaker would still have that person .