Critical means severely ill, not out of the danger zone, stable means no further deterioration e.g. no new problems with circulation, ventilation/oxygenation (breathing or mechanical ventilation), kidney function, liver function, bowel function, blood clotting and brain function as far as can be gauged in these very sick patients often heavily sedated.
Critical but stable can also apply to younger patients.
Hes only 53 and 2 years older than me. Has stage 3 colon cancer. Stage 4 is the worst. Had surgery 2 weeks ago. When he got home from the hospital a few days later he had a series of blood clots. Than he was home again for a couple days and things got worse. Last 4 days now in a Seattle hospital. Rough on my parents and myself and I have 1 younger brother. All we can do is pray. Thanks for listening.
