I read a book a few yrs ago, "Look Up for Yes." It's by/about a woman who had a massive stroke and was unconscious and unable to communicate for several years. Heart, lungs, all worked well - no tubes to be disconnected, but she was seen by hospital staff as "just a body." Meanwhile, she heard and understood every word being said, but wasn't able to reply and express her frustration and anger. It was a number of years before someone in the PT staff saw a tiny response, so asked her some questions. Looking down was obviously painful, so it became "Look Up for Yes." Gripping story, horrific in many ways.
Thanks for posting this.