I received word that my BIL was taken to the hospital on Sunday evening. He'd lost his ability to breathe. We almost lost him. He has bacterial pneumonia. I haven't heard from my sister. I'm sure she is exhausting herself. She tends to take care of others before herself and being diabetic, gets weak.

Do any of you know anything about this stuff?

well, that's certainly serious. take a look at webmd to give yourself an overview
http://www.webmd.com/lung/bacterial-pneumonia

does he have diabetes or a weakened immune system?

they treat it with antibiotics, in general

hope he heals quickly!!

I don't know if you still need information but I have had this in the past and my son had it last month, they treat you with a combination of 2 antibiotics, normally oxygen and also asthma nebuliser if the airway is restricted. It is serious but very treatable. Anyone can get pneumonia, my dad is a frequent sufferer as he also has COPD a lung condition which causes weakness in that area. if caught early pneumonia does not need hospitalisation. It sounds though as if your BIL has been unfortunate in this case. The treatment should pretty much be via drip into vein but he may go home with medication and when he does leave hospital he may well feel weak for a couple of weeks. Hope this helped. If theres anything else I may be able to answer let me know. Hope he's better asap and hope your sister looks after herself!

All the best

Dawn x