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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 27 >> Although doctors thought her husband wouldn't be able to do much for himself any more, he gradually started recognising people and responding to conve

Her husband had cardiac arrest and was admitted to ICU. She is his full-time carer and worries about leaving him on his own because of his memory.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 28 >> Her son-in-law was extremely confused when he came round, had a poor memory for quite a while afterwards but did gradually improve.

Her daughter was admitted to a ward and her son-in-law to ICU after they had a car accident. She stayed in their home so she could visit.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 03 >> Every day her son improved in some small way and slowly started regaining weight.

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 51-60 >> Interview 20 >> To help his wife understand that she'd been hallucinating, nurses took her back to visit ICU when she was on a ward.

In 2004 his wife and her mother spent six months in hospital and was admitted to ICU three times because of sepsis and heart problems.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 02 >> When they lessened the sedation, her husband was so violently agitated they had to increase it again, but he soon started improving and would communic

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 >> Gradually her sister was able to communicate, sit up in a chair and go outside for short periods of time.

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 35 >> Although her mother had good and bad days, she was overjoyed when she saw her sit up, smile and talk again.

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 51-60 >> Interview 07 >> One of the nurses took her son outside when he was in HDU and having so much more to look at helped him become more alert and aware.

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.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> As her husband began to improve she read out cards and messages of support and, when he had a valve put into his tracheotomy tube, he was able to begi

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 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 03 >> She kept a diary throughout her son's time in ICU apart from of the first day, which was still very vivid in her mind.

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 31-40 >> Interview 29 >> He would have liked photos and a video of his partner's mother's accident because they would help her see how well she is recovering whenever she feel

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 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> Keeping a diary had been helpful for both her and her husband and she gave it to him when he was strong enough physically and emotionally to take it a

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 31-40 >> Interview 01 >> She and her family made a diary from the emails and text messages they'd received while her sister was ill to help answer her questions when she was r

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 41-50 >> Interview 03 >> At first her son would often get angry and aggressive but, gradually, he became more aware and started talking and walking.

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 51-60 >> Interview 07 >> Although their son was very weak, one day, completely out of the blue, he got up and walked across the ward unaided.

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.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> Her husband was anxious about having surgery but they were both relieved and happy when doctors showed them his x-rays and told them he no longer need

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 07 >> Their son went to a rehabilitation unit during the day and came home in the evenings, and they were pleased when he was able to have speech therapy.

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.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 01 >> Her sister is now much better, more independent and has spent a lot of time visiting friends before she eases herself back into work.

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 23 >> His partner regained physical strength quite quickly and is back to work but still asks questions about her time in ICU.

In 2006 his partner spent four weeks in ICU because of pneumonia. He visited her every day, sharing the visiting with his partner's parents.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 36 >> His father is a different person now and looks as healthy as he did 18 months ago when he was very well.

His father went to ICU after having a stroke and developing pneumonia. Members of the family supported one another and he is now closer to his sister.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 07 >> Although their son had to have some minor surgery and is still making progress, he has made a remarkable recovery considering how ill he'd been.

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.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 04 >> Her son is now driving again and she is looking forward to the time he will be completely independent, which will be huge progress considering how sev

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 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 61-70 >> Interview 27 >> Her husband improved physically over time but, because his memory is still very poor, she doesn't like to leave him on his own for very long.

Her husband had cardiac arrest and was admitted to ICU. She is his full-time carer and worries about leaving him on his own because of his memory.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 32 >> After his surgery, her husband is stronger and healthier than he was several years ago and it has changed the quality of their lives.

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.

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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Signs of improvement and progress >> Signs of improvement and progress

Signs of improvement and progress