PA teen in medically-induced coma for mystery lung disease possibly linked to vaping

BROOMALL, Pennsylvania -- Len and Debbie Boclair of Broomall, Pennsylvania say they have been living a parent's nightmare over the past several days.

"It's horrible, every day to see him like this," said Debbie.

She is talking about her 19-year-old son, Kevin, who is currently in a medically-induced coma and connected to a heart/lung machine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Debbie, who is also a registered nurse, says that while her son does have asthma, she and her son's doctors agree that the damage done to his lungs is the result of something else.

"They know it's vaping. This is even new to the doctors. They told me outright, you know, we're treating all the things he had. He came in, he had double pneumonia. They treated that with antibiotics. They're treating all the different things, but there's parts they don't even know what's going on," she says.

And Len tells us that watching his son's condition deteriorate from a coughing fit about two weeks ago, to the very real possibility of lung transplant surgery has been more than he can take.

Len tells Action News, "Honest to god, the first time I walked in there, right after this whole thing, honest to God I thought he was dead. He looked dead."

The Centers for Disease Control recently issued an advisory regarding this mysterious illness believed to be linked to vaping.

The advisory "...includes the recommendation that while this investigation is on-going-- if you are concerned about these specific health risks, consider refraining from the use of e-cigarette products."

Debbie Boclair has this message for people, and their families, who decide to ignore that advice.

"I don't know how we could get parents to stop their kids. So, I'm going to tell the kids right out. You know, you're smart kids. Just don't do it," she said.

The CDC advisory goes on to say that since the end of August there have been reports of 215 possible cases of lung disease from 25 states that may be tied to vaping.

Meanwhile, the Boclair's are struggling with the uncertainty of their son's condition. Doctors tell them Kevin might heal all on his own, he might need surgery, he might not even survive.