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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 01 >> Doctors so rarely come across the illness her sister had that she was taken into a lecture so trainee doctors could learn more about it.

In March 2005 her sister was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome. This is a rare disorder of the peripheral nerves, those outside the brain and spinal chord.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 02 >> She felt her husband looked like a stranger after his mountain bike accident and dreaded breaking the news to his parents.

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 01 >> She was shocked when she saw her sister in ICU She'd been temporarily paralysed by her illness she was heavily sedated and her eyes were rolling [she

In March 2005 her sister was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome. This is a rare disorder of the peripheral nerves, those outside the brain and spinal chord.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 22 >> He worried about losing his wife and coping without her because he relied on her so much.

His wife had emergency surgery to remove a kidney. He found it difficult to discuss his feelings but received comfort from sitting alone in the hospital chapel.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 03 >> Sometimes she worried how she'd cope if her son was left disabled because she would be his main carer.

In 2004 her 17-year-old son was a passenger in a car that was involved in a serious accident. He spent 17 days in ICU.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 10 >> She tried not to think about what might happen in the future though, when it all became too much, the nurses were a fantastic support.

In 2006 her partner was diagnosed with Weil's disease, a rare bacterial infection. She stayed at the hospital for five nights and then in a nearby hotel.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 15 >> She felt that the men in her family found it harder to see her husband so ill, maybe because he had always been so outgoing.

Her husband was admitted to ICU because of an emergency heart problem, which was never diagnosed. She praised the care and professionalism of the ICU staff.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 14 >> Doctors gave her husband a brain scan and reassured her that, though he was hallucinating, there was no evidence of brain damage.

She has cared for her husband full-time since he had a heart attack and life threatening infection that meant he had to have his leg amputated.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> From the time her husband was admitted to ICU to the time he came back home, she'd run the whole gamut of emotions.

Her husband was admitted to ICU after having emergency surgery. It was particularly difficult looking after other family members as well as visiting her husband.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 32 >> At each stage of her husband's time in hospital she found herself fearful of the risks associated with the next ordeal.

His husband was admitted to ICU before and after a kidney pancreas transplant. She spent three weeks travelling to the hospital as well as working.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 10 >> She grew closer to her partner and his illness made them both more aware of what was important to them.

In 2006 her partner was diagnosed with Weil's disease, a rare bacterial infection. She stayed at the hospital for five nights and then in a nearby hotel.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 15 >> When her husband first came back home she used to check that he was still breathing while he was asleep and still phones him regularly if he's away to

Her husband was admitted to ICU because of an emergency heart problem, which was never diagnosed. She praised the care and professionalism of the ICU staff.

• 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.