Hi there Rash,
I have had three experiences with elderly folks, and I am caring for my elderly MIL right now. I am so sorry to hear of your fathers condition. And for you, who has been dealing with this for such a long time. I know it to be excruciating. Having experienced a bleed in my brain before, I also know that it is exhausting, and all you want to do is sleep. I slept for two months! (and I was only in my 40's at the time) So I could imagine your Father's brain is mighty tired. But, I havn't any personal experience with this fixed stare although I've heard of it. I'm sure the medical professionals attending him have seen this before, what are they saying about it? Although, come to think of it, in my experience Dr's and nurses seem to be so worried about saying the wrong thing that they just shake their head and shrug their shoulders and offer no opinion, have you noticed this? It is my belief though, from what I've heard and seen that at the end, we tend to go into ourselves, a kind of medatative state if you will. It's a detachment mechanism from this world, a phase that we have to go through really when we are experiencing a long natural death as your father is. I truly do feel for what you are going through, It is both difficult and in a way beautiful to experience the full circle of a loved one's life. Just try to focus on celebrating his life, knowing that he has had a long full one, there are many of us who don't ever hope to see 80, much less the 87 years that he has had. God bless you and your Father as you experience this inevetable stage of life.
Sincerley, Idas