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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 11 >> Her daughter was transferred from a local to a city hospital to have tests and treatment in a specialist unit.

Her 14-month-old daughter was admitted to intensive care in 2002 because of pneumococcal meningitis. Sadly, she died. Her organs were donated to help two other children survive.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 29 >> She recalled being ill and a vague conversation with medical staff about what was wrong, but wasn't aware that her lungs had collapsed until she came

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 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 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 31-40 >> Interview 11 >> She and her husband were shocked when they saw their 14-month-old daughter in intensive care, even though she was a nurse and knew what to expect.

Her 14-month-old daughter was admitted to intensive care in 2002 because of pneumococcal meningitis. Sadly, she died. Her organs were donated to help two other children survive.

• 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 51-60 >> Interview 09 >> He had a severe asthma attack and was moved to a ward after three days in intensive care.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of a severe asthma attack. Was in intensive care for 3 days and on a general ward for about ten days.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 24 >> She remembered hearing voices, having treatments and coming round unable to do anything for herself (she had pneumonia).

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of severe pneumonia. Spent about 5 weeks in intensive care and nearly 2 weeks 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 41-50 >> Interview 28 >> He couldn't move or communicate his fears of a nurse trying to shoot him.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of septicaemia. Spent about 7 weeks in intensive care and 4 weeks in 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 06 >> She felt disorientated and lay awake all night because of the medications and her own fears.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2003 because of pneumonia, and developed septicaemia. Spent 3 weeks in ICU, 36 hours in a High Dependency Unit and 5 weeks on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 02 >> He appreciated being suctioned because it cleared his throat which helped him to breathe more easily.

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 41-50 >> Interview 29 >> She panicked about being weaned off the ventilator in case she couldn't breathe, but medical staff supported her.

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 01 >> Because of her nursing experience, she fully understood what had happened to her and the treatments she was given in ICU.

Was admitted to intensive care in 1998 because of a complication during pregnancy, leading to septic shock. Was in ICU for 11 days and in general ward for 2 weeks. Recovered well and has had no further problems related to that illness.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 24 >> The physiotherapists encouraged her to walk even though she was weak and found it difficult to eat.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of severe pneumonia. Spent about 5 weeks in intensive care and nearly 2 weeks in a general ward.