My mother has advanced COPD. She's on 2.5 liters a day and triology machine at night. She's only 68. She had a bowel obstruction surgery 4 weeks ago that has just gone down hill. Her lung collapsed and now she has MRSA in her right lung (a lung abscess). She went into respiratory distress three days ago and they had to vent her. It's day 3 and she's not able to come off the vent. She lasted 3 minutes the last time they tried. My question is - how long can she be on the vent before her lungs decide not to work on their own? She's sedated but can wake up some and talk. She's scared as am I. I would like to hear from those who have experienced this. Good and bad so I have a realistic expectation. She's a fighter - so, I'm holding out hope.