Laurie, you are NOT a whiney spoiled brat! You are a great friend who is having a tough time dealing with your friend's tragic accident and you are doing the best you can. I can only imagine that you are exhausted from having to deal with all of this, plus have to go to work every day and deal with daily life. Try to get some rest and I know you'll have a better outlook in the morning, and more than likely you'll have good idea of what to tell his mom. Like Slick says, I don't think they're looking to you to give out medical advice, if anything they're looking to you to interpret their medical terms into more "lay" terms that his mother can understand easier.

I know you are being strong and hanging in there, but this needs to be said also. It's ok for you to break down and cry - and it's ok to do it in front of his family if that's when it happens. It's really quite cleansing and clears your head and actually makes you feel stronger. I remember my "break down" with my parents accident, and I remember afterwards, feeling quite calm and clear headed and much more optimistic. It was like a big fog had been lifted from over my head.

So be strong, hang in there, but don't be afraid to break either.

{{{hugs}}}