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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 30 >> After having tests, his 83-year-old father was booked for surgery to treat cancer of the kidney and would go into ICU afterwards.

His father died in ICU, aged 83. Being an intensive care doctor, he was able to provide information and support to his mother and brother.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 70 + >> Interview 34 >> Her partner hadn't noticed any symptoms before he was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney, and the doctor was really pleased it was found early.

Her partner had cancer of the kidney and was admitted to ICU after surgery. She visited daily and stayed in hospital overnight for a week.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 32 >> She and her husband were really pleased when doctors told them he was eligible for a transplant operation and, before the surgery, they were shown aro

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 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 51-60 >> Interview 32 >> Before her husband's kidney transplant, she read lots of information about the operation and she and her husband were extremely grateful to the donor.

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 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.

• 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.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 32 >> Before her husband's kidney transplant, she read lots of information about the operation and she and her husband were extremely grateful to the donor.

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 30 >> After having tests, his 83-year-old father was booked for surgery to treat cancer of the kidney and would go into ICU afterwards.

His father died in ICU, aged 83. Being an intensive care doctor, he was able to provide information and support to his mother and brother.

• 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 51-60 >> Interview 32 >> She and her husband were really pleased when doctors told them he was eligible for a transplant operation and, before the surgery, they were shown aro

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 70 + >> Interview 34 >> Her partner hadn't noticed any symptoms before he was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney, and the doctor was really pleased it was found early.

Her partner had cancer of the kidney and was admitted to ICU after surgery. She visited daily and stayed in hospital overnight for a week.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> Within a few days her husband developed a rash, his kidneys started failing and he needed emergency surgery.

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 22 >> He was shocked when he was told his wife could die if she didn't have surgery to remove a kidney that very evening.

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 61-70 >> Interview 08 >> Four weeks after surgery for bowel cancer, his wife had to have emergency surgery and went to ICU afterwards because of complications.

His wife was admitted to ICU after having complications during emergency surgery. During her time in hospital he had a lot of support from family and his local community.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 30 & under >> Interview 21 >> Her partner remembered everything about his accident when he woke up in ICU after emergency surgery, but was then re-sedated because of other complica

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 35 >> She felt very alone in hospital as she tried to get medical staff to treat her mother's pain, and then had to wait several hours while they tried to f

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 30 & under >> Interview 06 >> His father went to hospital with stomach pains but when he developed pneumonia he was transferred to ICU.

In May 2006 his father was admitted to ICU because of pneumonia and was still in hospital at the time of interview.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 09 >> Everything was explained to them so, when they left ICU, they felt their son was in safe hands and would receive all the care he needed.

Her son had lymphoma and bowel perforation and sadly died on a ward. She felt doctors should explain information clearly to relatives, who are usually unfamiliar with medical terms.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 08 >> Because a friend had previously been in ICU after a car accident, he knew what to expect when his wife was admitted to intensive care after having eme

His wife was admitted to ICU after having complications during emergency surgery. During her time in hospital he had a lot of support from family and his local community.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 14 >> Her husband's leg amputation was his only hope for survival but he might still have died during the operation.

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 31-40 >> Interview 35 >> She was devastated when her mother had to have further surgery because she could have died during it.

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 22 >> He was shocked when told his wife could die if she didn't have surgery and that, even after having the operation, there was still a possibility she co

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 31-40 >> Interview 18 >> After saying her goodbyes to her friend, all she could do was wait until after the operation for further news.

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 41-50 >> Interview 03 >> A few days into her son's ICU stay, doctors found out that he'd ruptured his spleen and she was shocked to learn, yet again, that he could die.

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 >> 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 20 >> They felt the nurses were excellent and that they got to know them quite well having spent several weeks in intensive care.

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 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 30 & under >> Interview 06 >> His father was likely to stay in hospital for quite some time and would only be discharged after having a further bowel operation.

In May 2006 his father was admitted to ICU because of pneumonia and was still in hospital at the time of interview.

• 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.