A hospice chaplin, speaking to me of visiting with my Dad when he just lies there adn sleeps, said what I will share with you...in reply to your comment, "there is nothing I can do"...
"Consider the ministry of "presence"...
* Watch the kids, take them for pizza while the mom and family unwind
* Get their wash and do it for them
* Be the ones to now take groceries to their house...
All these simple things you may already be doing in Christian Love, but think it is little because you cannot impact the momentary outcome of Zip's condition...
It is always the small jestures of love that will be remembered the longest and lift up others.
Keep the Son in your eyes!