• Clip
• 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.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 30 and under >> Interview 12 >> She was embarrassed when she was hoisted from the bed to a chair and surprised at how weak she looked when she saw herself in the mirror.

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 51-60 >> Interview 30 >> She found it hard to balance properly using a Zimmer frame but continued practising, determined to recover enough to go home.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of epiglottitis and severe sepsis. Spent about 6 days in intensive care and 5 days in a High Dependency Unit.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 28 >> It took him four months before he could walk without a stick but he slowly regained mobility and put on weight.

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 41-50 >> Interview 28 >> He looks better than before his illness because he has stopped smoking, gained weight and eats more healthily.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of septicaemia. Spent about 7 weeks in intensive care and 4 weeks in a general ward.