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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 19 >> He felt safe in the hands of the healthcare professionals and chose not to visit ICU before surgery for cancer.

Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. Short stay in intensive care following surgery was planned. Spent 4 days in ICU and about 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 20 >> He was glad he hadn't visited ICU before surgery for cancer because it might have made him more anxious.

Was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2004. Because of complication (idiopathic thrombocytopenia, diagnosed in 2000), short stay in intensive care was planned, following surgery. Spent 8 days in intensive care and 18 days in general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 71 plus >> Interview 40 >> He felt reassured because he'd seen the ICU before having surgery and had met one of the nurses who would care for him.

Was diagnosed with an aneurysm in 2005. Intensive care stay was planned following surgery. Spent a couple of days in intensive care and a week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 16 >> He was surprised when he first came round at how big and uncomfortable the breathing tube was, but soon got used to it.

Admitted to ICU in 1979 after heart attack. Had another heart attack in 1992 and was admitted to ICU. In 1994, had heart transplant operation and went into ICU after surgery. Back on the ward, developed septicaemia. Had another operation and then went into ICU. Developed pneumonia and spent 8 weeks in ICU. Spent 3 weeks on ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> He felt that everything about the surgery was explained thoroughly but would have liked more information about catheters.

Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> He might not have survived surgery to see his children grow up: he now wants to make the most of his life.

Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 18 >> He remembered waking up in ICU eight days after having a second operation.

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 13 >> She prepared herself psychologically but her first date for surgery was cancelled because of a shortage of beds.

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 71 plus >> Interview 40 >> His operation was cancelled to make room for an emergency, and he felt frightened during the build up to his next date for surgery.

Was diagnosed with an aneurysm in 2005. Intensive care stay was planned following surgery. Spent a couple of days in intensive care and a week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 16 >> He had expected to feel groggy after coming round but looked and felt much better than before the operation.

Admitted to ICU in 1979 after heart attack. Had another heart attack in 1992 and was admitted to ICU. In 1994, had heart transplant operation and went into ICU after surgery. Back on the ward, developed septicaemia. Had another operation and then went into ICU. Developed pneumonia and spent 8 weeks in ICU. Spent 3 weeks on ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> He felt stronger after having heart surgery but was tired and hallucinating when he first came round.

Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days 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 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> He had very little pain after the operation and on his second day back home was able to walk a mile.

Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 19 >> A few days after getting home he felt depressed and accepted that recovery from major surgery would take some time.

Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. Short stay in intensive care following surgery was planned. Spent 4 days in ICU and about 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 18 >> He appreciated the doctor's direct approach and he and his wife were given all the information they needed.

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 51-60 >> Interview 19 >> Two consultants gave him conflicting views about his cancer diagnosis.

Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. Short stay in intensive care following surgery was planned. Spent 4 days in ICU and about 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 20 >> He had plenty of information from nurses before surgery for bowel cancer, including pamphlets and telephone numbers.

Was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2004. Because of complication (idiopathic thrombocytopenia, diagnosed in 2000), short stay in intensive care was planned, following surgery. Spent 8 days in intensive care and 18 days in general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 03 >> He would have liked to know before surgery what happens when catheters are removed.

In 2002 had throat surgery and knew he would go to High Dependency Unit afterwards. Overnight, however, had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and needed emergency bronchoscopy. Was in intensive care for 5 weeks and in ward for 5 weeks.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 13 >> She learnt more from her brother than from the doctors about the pain she might have after surgery.

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 41-50 >> Interview 13 >> Her doctors didn't seem to appreciate that she might take longer to recover and not need certain injections.

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 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> He did a lot of walking while he was recovering at home and went back to work three months after having heart surgery.

Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 34 >> After his first stay in an ICU he was transferred to another hospital for surgery and ended up spending nearly eight months in hospital.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2001 because of acute pancreatitis. Spent 46 days in intensive care and 1 month in general ward. Needed to have surgery and was transferred to another hospital. Spent 4 weeks in hospital before surgery, 30 days in intensive care and 3 months in general ward. Overall length of stay in 2 hospitals was 7 ½ months.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 19 >> He felt safe in the hands of the healthcare professionals and chose not to visit ICU before surgery for cancer.

Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. Short stay in intensive care following surgery was planned. Spent 4 days in ICU and about 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 71 plus >> Interview 40 >> He felt reassured because he'd seen the ICU before having surgery and had met one of the nurses who would care for him.

Was diagnosed with an aneurysm in 2005. Intensive care stay was planned following surgery. Spent a couple of days in intensive care and a week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 16 >> He was surprised when he first came round at how big and uncomfortable the breathing tube was, but soon got used to it.

Admitted to ICU in 1979 after heart attack. Had another heart attack in 1992 and was admitted to ICU. In 1994, had heart transplant operation and went into ICU after surgery. Back on the ward, developed septicaemia. Had another operation and then went into ICU. Developed pneumonia and spent 8 weeks in ICU. Spent 3 weeks on ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 20 >> He was glad he hadn't visited ICU before surgery for cancer because it might have made him more anxious.

Was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2004. Because of complication (idiopathic thrombocytopenia, diagnosed in 2000), short stay in intensive care was planned, following surgery. Spent 8 days in intensive care and 18 days in general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 13 >> She prepared herself psychologically but her first date for surgery was cancelled because of a shortage of beds.

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 61-70 >> Interview 18 >> He remembered waking up in ICU eight days after having a second operation.

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 33 >> He might not have survived surgery to see his children grow up: he now wants to make the most of his life.

Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> He felt that everything about the surgery was explained thoroughly but would have liked more information about catheters.

Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> He felt stronger after having heart surgery but was tired and hallucinating when he first came round.

Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 16 >> He had expected to feel groggy after coming round but looked and felt much better than before the operation.

Admitted to ICU in 1979 after heart attack. Had another heart attack in 1992 and was admitted to ICU. In 1994, had heart transplant operation and went into ICU after surgery. Back on the ward, developed septicaemia. Had another operation and then went into ICU. Developed pneumonia and spent 8 weeks in ICU. Spent 3 weeks on ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> He had very little pain after the operation and on his second day back home was able to walk a mile.

Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days 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 71 plus >> Interview 40 >> His operation was cancelled to make room for an emergency, and he felt frightened during the build up to his next date for surgery.

Was diagnosed with an aneurysm in 2005. Intensive care stay was planned following surgery. Spent a couple of days in intensive care and a week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 13 >> Her doctors didn't seem to appreciate that she might take longer to recover and not need certain injections.

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 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> He did a lot of walking while he was recovering at home and went back to work three months after having heart surgery.

Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 03 >> He would have liked to know before surgery what happens when catheters are removed.

In 2002 had throat surgery and knew he would go to High Dependency Unit afterwards. Overnight, however, had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and needed emergency bronchoscopy. Was in intensive care for 5 weeks and in ward for 5 weeks.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 13 >> She learnt more from her brother than from the doctors about the pain she might have after surgery.

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 51-60 >> Interview 19 >> Two consultants gave him conflicting views about his cancer diagnosis.

Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. Short stay in intensive care following surgery was planned. Spent 4 days in ICU and about 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 20 >> He had plenty of information from nurses before surgery for bowel cancer, including pamphlets and telephone numbers.

Was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2004. Because of complication (idiopathic thrombocytopenia, diagnosed in 2000), short stay in intensive care was planned, following surgery. Spent 8 days in intensive care and 18 days in general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 19 >> A few days after getting home he felt depressed and accepted that recovery from major surgery would take some time.

Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. Short stay in intensive care following surgery was planned. Spent 4 days in ICU and about 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 18 >> He appreciated the doctor's direct approach and he and his wife were given all the information they needed.

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 61-70 >> Interview 18 >> He appreciated the doctor's direct approach and he and his wife were given all the information they needed.

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 51-60 >> Interview 19 >> Two consultants gave him conflicting views about his cancer diagnosis.

Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. Short stay in intensive care following surgery was planned. Spent 4 days in ICU and about 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 13 >> She learnt more from her brother than from the doctors about the pain she might have after surgery.

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 61-70 >> Interview 03 >> He would have liked to know before surgery what happens when catheters are removed.

In 2002 had throat surgery and knew he would go to High Dependency Unit afterwards. Overnight, however, had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and needed emergency bronchoscopy. Was in intensive care for 5 weeks and in ward for 5 weeks.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 20 >> He had plenty of information from nurses before surgery for bowel cancer, including pamphlets and telephone numbers.

Was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2004. Because of complication (idiopathic thrombocytopenia, diagnosed in 2000), short stay in intensive care was planned, following surgery. Spent 8 days in intensive care and 18 days in general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 13 >> Her doctors didn't seem to appreciate that she might take longer to recover and not need certain injections.

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 61-70 >> Interview 18 >> She was very concerned about the nursing care on the ward and about her husband's wound, which had become infected.

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 61-70 >> Interview 27 >> She would have liked to know more about how much to encourage her husband to do things when he was recovering and how to change his surgical dressings

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of pancreatitis and septicaemia. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 2 weeks in a High Dependency Unit; 6 weeks in a general ward, and 2 weeks in a rehabilitation hospital.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 30 and under >> Interview 12 >> She wondered how she'd got colitis and why she hadn't been told sooner about having a colostomy bag.

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.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 30 and under >> Interview 12 >> Her wound is slowly healing and she is looking forward to doing all the things she enjoyed before her illness.

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.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 29 >> She had vague memories of her first time in HDU and found it seemed more crowded the second time she was there.

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 31-40 >> Interview 34 >> He was looking forward to going home but was transferred to another hospital for an operation.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2001 because of acute pancreatitis. Spent 46 days in intensive care and 1 month in general ward. Needed to have surgery and was transferred to another hospital. Spent 4 weeks in hospital before surgery, 30 days in intensive care and 3 months in general ward. Overall length of stay in 2 hospitals was 7 ½ months.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 19 >> A few days after getting home he felt depressed and accepted that recovery from major surgery would take some time.

Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. Short stay in intensive care following surgery was planned. Spent 4 days in ICU and about 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 18 >> He appreciated the doctor's direct approach and he and his wife were given all the information they needed.

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 33 >> He had very little pain after the operation and on his second day back home was able to walk a mile.

Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 03 >> He became depressed after being in hospital and realised that many problems from the past hadn't been dealt with.

In 2002 had throat surgery and knew he would go to High Dependency Unit afterwards. Overnight, however, had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and needed emergency bronchoscopy. Was in intensive care for 5 weeks and in ward for 5 weeks.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 14 >> She had a planned caesarean but had complications after delivering her healthy baby.

Had a planned caesarean in 2005. Had a complication (placenta accreta) after she'd delivered and had to have a hysterectomy. Following hysterectomy, was in ICU for nearly 2 days, then spent 2 days in her own room in the hospital with her new baby. Discharged herself and has had no problems since.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 38 >> She had vague memories of having a car accident and a scan in hospital, but learnt more about what happened a few days later.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 after having a car accident. Spent about a week in intensive care and 2 weeks in a trauma ward.