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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Reasons for admission :
Emergency admissions
Planned admissions
In the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) :
Seeing the patient in ICU for the first time
Suspending normal routines: visiting ICU every day
Uncertainty
Emotional impact on relatives & friends in ICU
Impact on children
Telling others
Relationships within and between families
Receiving information and news from doctors
Sources of information in ICU
Nursing care
Keeping a diary
Sources of support in ICU
At the bedside:
Waiting for news
Signs of improvement and progress
The relatives' room and overnight accommodation:
The relatives' room
Overnight accommodation
When someone dies :
End of life decisions
Death and bereavement:
When someone dies
Funerals
Coping with bereavement
On a general ward :
The ward environment and nursing care
Hospital discharge and rehabilitation
Life after leaving the hospital :
Supporting and caring for the ill person at home
Impact on work and finances
Attitudes to life after the hospital experience
Messages to others
Emotional impact on relatives and carers
Emotional impact on family and friends
Adjusting to a changed life
Support and information
Support and information
Lack of support and information
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
Subject index
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Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 41-50
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Interview 03
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On the long journey to the hospital she just wanted her son to be alive, but didn't know how serious the accident had been or if she'd have to stay ov
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 30 & under
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Interview 21
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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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 02
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Her husband had had minor mountain bike accidents before but, this time, when she went to see him in hospital he was in ICU.
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 05
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When he saw his wife's accident he became hysterical and had to be calmed down by his son.
In 2003 his wife was involved in an accident in the home. He stayed at the hospital for two weeks while his wife was in the first ICU.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 04
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Even though medical staff were treating their critically ill son, he looked comfortable when they saw first saw him and they sensed that he would reco
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 30 & under
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Interview 21
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She spent all day in intensive care and would come home briefly to spend some time with her new baby, who was being looked after by her mother.
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 03
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Her mother looked after her two younger children which meant that she, her husband and in-laws could visit ICU every day so her son would always have
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 19
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No one in the family went to work, school or university during the first week because they felt they had to be at the bedside, even if there was nothi
Her brother had an accident while cleaning his motorbike. He had severe head injuries and spent almost four weeks in ICU, where she visited him daily.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 19
>>
Her sister came over from the States to visit their brother but, at that time, he couldn't recognise anyone or even move because of the head injuries
Her brother had an accident while cleaning his motorbike. He had severe head injuries and spent almost four weeks in ICU, where she visited him daily.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 41-50
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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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 29
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They kept trying to work out how his partner's mother could have fallen through the ceiling but believed it was a miracle she had survived.
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 70 +
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Interview 26
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She'd never been to her sister-in-law's home before but had to go there, find telephone numbers and gradually build up a picture of her life.
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 01
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She found it upsetting talking to people who'd been bereaved but reassuring to see some people recover and move out of intensive care.
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 04
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She found it extremely traumatic when someone died and difficult to be supportive to others when her own son was also fighting for his life.
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
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Interview 02
>>
After seeing her husband straight after he'd been admitted to ICU, she dreaded having to break the news of his accident 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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 70 +
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Interview 26
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Although she didn't know many of her sister-in-law's friends, she emailed them with updates and received lots of support through their replies.
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 19
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She didn't want to repeat herself over and over again or talk about her brother's illness with friends after spending all day in ICU.
Her brother had an accident while cleaning his motorbike. He had severe head injuries and spent almost four weeks in ICU, where she visited him daily.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 70 +
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Interview 26
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She would have liked to have known her sister-in-law better when she'd been alive, and learnt that she'd had many friends and interests.
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 05
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Seeing his wife hallucinating was very distressing and he wished he'd known more about hallucinations beforehand.
In 2003 his wife was involved in an accident in the home. He stayed at the hospital for two weeks while his wife was in the first ICU.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 41-50
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Interview 03
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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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 19
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She wishes she had taken photos so her brother could see how ill he'd been and why it was taking so long to recover.
Her brother had an accident while cleaning his motorbike. He had severe head injuries and spent almost four weeks in ICU, where she visited him daily.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
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Interview 29
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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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 30 & under
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Interview 21
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The diary she kept for her partner told him about what happened while he was in ICU, including who had visited him, and the photos showed him the scen
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 70 +
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Interview 26
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Her sister-in-law had left instructions and had wanted a Jewish funeral.
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 04
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Her son had to have his own room because he had MRSA but she felt he was in danger of injuring himself whenever he tried to walk and that he needed su
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
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Interview 02
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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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 41-50
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Interview 03
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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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 19
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Her brother made huge progress at the rehabilitation unit and is now independent enough to live alone at home and visit the unit every day.
Her brother had an accident while cleaning his motorbike. He had severe head injuries and spent almost four weeks in ICU, where she visited him daily.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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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 51-60
>>
Interview 05
>>
It took him eighteen months to stop blaming himself and accept that his wife's fall had been an accident.
In 2003 his wife was involved in an accident in the home. He stayed at the hospital for two weeks while his wife was in the first ICU.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 04
>>
She wanted to see how her son would progress without outside influences but also wondered if it was too soon for them to think about joining support g
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 05
>>
He felt there was a lack of medical support after ICU and that his wife's recovery depended very much on the care given to her by him, his daughter an
In 2003 his wife was involved in an accident in the home. He stayed at the hospital for two weeks while his wife was in the first ICU.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
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Interview 29
>>
The journey to the hospital was difficult because they didn't know how his partner's mother would be, but he felt close to the family and wanted to su
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 41-50
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Interview 03
>>
When her son was in ICU, she felt she became very strong, practical and positive.
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 70 +
>>
Interview 26
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Although she and her sister-in-law had never been close she visited her for a short time every day, sometimes twice a day, and other activities fell b
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 41-50
>>
Interview 03
>>
She wanted some sort of normality during this difficult time, which had made her realise how precious life was.
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 02
>>
She felt helpless sitting by the bedside so went back to work part-time when her husband started improving, and his family stayed with him whenever sh
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 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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 28
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Her daughter's and son-in-law's house was exactly as they'd left it the day they had a car accident and she stayed there until they started improving.
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
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Interview 02
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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 51-60
>>
Interview 19
>>
Her sister came over from the States to visit their brother but, at that time, he couldn't recognise anyone or even move because of the head injuries
Her brother had an accident while cleaning his motorbike. He had severe head injuries and spent almost four weeks in ICU, where she visited him daily.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 12
>>
Some of her son's friends turned up at the hospital and, at that time, she found this difficult.
In 2005 her 21-year-old son sadly died in ICU. She focuses as much as she can on remembering the good memories they shared.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
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Interview 35
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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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 07
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She and her husband were desperate for news of their son's illness, and waited anxiously at the hospital all day to learn that he had meningitis.
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
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 05
>>
He followed the ambulance which took his wife to another hospital, and the journey felt like the longest he'd ever made.
In 2003 his wife was involved in an accident in the home. He stayed at the hospital for two weeks while his wife was in the first ICU.
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 41-50
>>
Interview 24
>>
The ambulance arrived quickly and her mother was taken from Accident and Emergency to ICU within a few hours because she'd had cardiac arrest.
Her mother had cardiac arrest. She spent nine days in ICU and now lives with her daughter. She received a lot of support from her family.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 41-50
>>
Interview 03
>>
On the long journey to the hospital she just wanted her son to be alive, but didn't know how serious the accident had been or if she'd have to stay ov
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 23
>>
He and his partner never thought the symptoms she had would be serious, but when she started vomiting and coughing up blood he phoned NHS Direct for a
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.
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