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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 04 >> After her son's accident, she found it difficult to read, watch certain television programmes and, at first, felt very emotional when she heard ambula

In October 2004, her son had a motorbike accident and was admitted to ICU. He had a serious head injury and broken jaw.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 18 >> Her best friend has needed a lot of support and their relationship has changed because she now has to help her with her shopping, hospital appointment

Her best friend spent two weeks in ICU. She was the closest person to her, visited her daily and is now her main carer.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 18 >> Although she was very weak, gradually her friend was able to sit up, stand, walk with a Zimmer frame and have nutritional drinks to help her recovery.

Her best friend spent two weeks in ICU. She was the closest person to her, visited her daily and is now her main carer.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 37 >> The nurses washed his wife's hair and did whatever they could to make her comfortable, as well as giving him lots of support too.

His wife spent 49 days in ICU because of severe lung problems. After her illness, he became involved in helping improve services for ICU patients.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 13 >> Some days during the next few weeks she felt so depressed she didn't want to see anyone or leave the house.

In 2006 her husband had liver disease and pneumonia and sadly died in ICU. She has gained strength from having counselling and from her spirituality.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 02 >> Her husband became so depressed, she was so concerned about him that she agreed to help take him home that evening.

In 2003 her husband had an accident while cycling on his mountain bike in woods close to their home. The accident left him with a serious head injury, fractures to his neck and spine, and a collapsed lung.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 38 >> At first she was worried about hurting her partner because of his surgery but, in time, they felt comfortable again about having sex.

In 2005 her husband had a car accident and was admitted to ICU for two weeks. She feels it is important for couples to discuss their feelings with one another and, when they feel ready, to get back to normal, including having sex again.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 02 >> When her husband first came back home he had a lot of mood swings and she worried that these might be permanent.

In 2003 her husband had an accident while cycling on his mountain bike in woods close to their home. The accident left him with a serious head injury, fractures to his neck and spine, and a collapsed lung.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 35 >> Her mother has made a good recovery but still has good and bad days.

Her mother was admitted to ICU because of gallstones and other complications. She visited her every day, often with her two young daughters, and kept a diary.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 18 >> Her friend needed a lot of help at first and, five years on, is still weaker than before and gets depressed about the way her life has changed.

Her best friend spent two weeks in ICU. She was the closest person to her, visited her daily and is now her main carer.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 29 >> He felt that his partner's mother should have stayed longer in hospital to gain more strength and received more support when she came back home.

His partner's mother was admitted to ICU after an accident in the home. He lived with them at the time and tried to provide emotional support.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 29 >> Family members sometimes became very emotional when his partner's mother was having a bad time and he benefited from talking about this with friends.

His partner's mother was admitted to ICU after an accident in the home. He lived with them at the time and tried to provide emotional support.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 07 >> She had post-traumatic stress disorder and counselling helped her focus on the present, whilst acknowledging what had happened in the past.

Their son was admitted to ICU in 2005 with bacterial meningitis. It was a traumatic time but he is now back home and has made excellent progress.