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• 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 70 + >> Interview 26 >> She recorded music that her sister-in-law enjoyed and was very impressed when she saw one of her sister-in-law's visitors singing to her while she was

In 2006 her sister-in-law sadly died in ICU after having an accident in her car. She visited her daily and took care of all the practical matters.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 18 >> She took in her friend's toiletries, massaged cream into her hands and feet, and sat watching her progress for several weeks.

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 51-60 >> Interview 20 >> They were given lots of information about surgery and other treatments, and felt the nurses were supportive to them and the patient.

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 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 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 30 & under >> Interview 21 >> Her partner only realised how long he'd been in hospital when he saw that his baby daughter had started teething.

In 2005 her partner had a car accident and spent over four months in ICU. She visited daily while her mother looked after her new baby.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 15 >> She never learnt why her husband got so ill so quickly, but felt ICU doctors always gave information and updates about his illness honestly and openly

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 04 >> She was extremely disappointed in two doctors who wouldn't believe her when she said her son had shown signs of awareness, and felt it was too soon to

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 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 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 70 + >> Interview 26 >> She and her husband saw her sister-in-law after talking with doctors, who withdrew treatment and removed medical equipment before they went in to see

In 2006 her sister-in-law sadly died in ICU after having an accident in her car. She visited her daily and took care of all the practical matters.