It is EXTREMELY difficult to see someone you care about laying motionless in an ICU bed, with different cables and tubes going everywhere. I'm sorry you guys have to see your friend like that.

Depending on if he is still trying to fight against the vent, his doctor may decide to paralyze him temporarily. The next time you go to visit, ask a nurse (or a doctor, if you're lucky enough to catch on) about what his vent settings look like, or how his chest x-rays appear. One thing that might happen is he may have one or both lungs collapse if he's requiring a large amount of (PEEP) pressure to keep his air sacs open. My g/f had both of hers collapse mulitple times during the 2 1/2 months she spent in the icu.

Unfortunately, I learned a lot about certain things from being in the ICU every day for so long, but if I can be any help to anyone as far as questions or anything... please feel free to PM me or ask here.

I really hope he pulls through! Lifting the critical status is always a great sign!