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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 18 >> He vaguely remembered hearing about his prospective daughter-in-law's new job.

Was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in 2004. 2-day stay in ICU was planned, following surgery. Transferred to general ward in private hospital. Had to have a second operation and, because of complications, was admitted to ICU in NHS hospital. Spent 18 days in ICU. Had several more operations. In hospital for 5 weeks.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 04 >> She felt agitated, confused and thought she was on a plane (she had sepsis).

Had bowel complications and septicaemia. Was in intensive care for nearly 5 weeks. Spent 1 week in a High Dependency Unit and was then discharged.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 29 >> She couldn't remember her name, her husband's name or details about her children, job and home (she had a surgical complication).

Had a planned hysterectomy in 2004. Complications led to a second operation. Was admitted to intensive care because of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 1 day in High Dependence Unit and 1 week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 13 >> She had pain in her chest when she came round and, in her confusion, felt she was drowning (she had planned surgery to remove a kidney).

Had planned surgery in 1998 to remove kidney because of ongoing problems with kidney stones and infections. ICU stay after surgery was also planned. Stayed in intensive care for 2 days. Spent about five weeks in hospital after surgery.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 05 >> She was hallucinating when she came round and felt terrified of the nurses (she had pneumonia and sepsis).

Had pneumonia and severe sepsis. Was in intensive care for 22 days, the High Dependency Unit for 10 days and just over a week on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 02 >> He had a breathing tube in his mouth so got the nurses' attention by shaking a container that rattled (he had pneumonia).

Had very severe cold and coughing in 2005, which turned out to be pneumonia. Was in intensive care for nearly a month and in general ward for about 4 days. Has now fully recovered.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 35 >> He couldn't walk, drink or talk when he came round but valued being taken outside for fresh air (he had Guillain-Barre Syndrome).

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. This is a rare disorder of the peripheral nerves, those outside the brain and the spinal chord. Spent 17 days in intensive care and about 1 week in general ward. Was then transferred to rehabilitation ward in another hospital, and spent about 3 months there.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 39 >> HDU would have been better for her husband who was still very confused and weak after being in ICU.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 after having an accident in the home. Spent about 4 days in intensive care and 3 days in a trauma ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 30 and under >> Interview 12 >> She still felt confused after being transferred and had to keep asking questions to understand what was happening.

Was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Had to have surgery to remove colon. Had kidney failure and was in intensive care for about 21 days, High Dependency Unit for about 2 weeks and a general ward for 2 weeks.