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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 17 >> She wanted her husband to be able to breath by himself but it was difficult to focus only on this because other things kept going wrong.

Her husband was admitted to ICU because of a brain aneurysm. She spent eight weeks visiting him in two different hospitals, sometimes staying overnight.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 36 >> He wanted to know why his father had got so ill so quickly, and tried to reassure his mother without giving her false hopes.

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 31-40 >> Interview 35 >> At the time she desperately wanted to know if her mother would survive but doctors couldn't tell her because they didn't know themselves.

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 70 + >> Interview 25 >> He waited at his wife's bedside until the early hours of the morning but no one at that time could tell him whether she would survive.

In 2006 his 79-year-old wife was admitted to intensive care. Their daughter was their main support and they are now moving to live near her.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 14 >> When she talked to her husband about their grandchildren, she noticed tears rolling down his cheeks.

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 51-60 >> Interview 19 >> Doctors couldn't say for sure whether her brother would ever be himself again, and she was told that recovery from head injuries was often long and un

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 61-70 >> Interview 37 >> His grandchildren recorded messages for their grandmother and, when she heard them, the monitor readings changed even though she was unconscious.

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 51-60 >> Interview 04 >> As a nurse and mother she refused to believe doctors who were telling her that her son would be permanently brain damaged.

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 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 23 >> He tried not to watch the monitors too much and, instead, focussed on being positive and on all the things he and his partner enjoyed doing together.

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 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 22 >> If he wasn't at his wife's bedside talking to her, a nurse was talking to her instead, and he was moved to see such good care.

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 17 >> Throughout her husband's illness, she always believed he'd survive, even when he'd improved and deteriorated time and again.

Her husband was admitted to ICU because of a brain aneurysm. She spent eight weeks visiting him in two different hospitals, sometimes staying overnight.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 30 & under >> Interview 21 >> Although she was very positive throughout her partner's four month stay in ICU, she didn't know where this strength came from or if she could use it t

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 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 61-70 >> Interview 37 >> He tried to give support and encouragement to a man who was losing hope for his critically ill son.

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 51-60 >> Interview 12 >> She gained comfort from talking to other people in the relatives' room and did her best to be as positive as possible.

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 >> Intensive care: experiences of family & friends >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 30 >> He feels it is important for ICU doctors to keep repeating information, give information that is consistent, and continually update relatives.

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 31-40 >> Interview 23 >> He felt ICU doctors were extremely skilled but was disappointed in the way some gave information about his partner's illness, which felt very negative

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 41-50 >> Interview 30 >> He feels it is better for doctors to be cautious when giving relatives news rather than raise their hopes or give the impression things are better tha

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 31-40 >> Interview 29 >> At this desperate, uncertain time he prayed his partner's mother would recover and found it helpful going to the hospital chapel and lighting a candle

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 31-40 >> Interview 15 >> She did everything she could in the hope her husband would recover, including praying and making deals with God of what she'd do if her prayers were a

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 41-50 >> Interview 30 >> His 83-year-old father had spent five weeks in ICU and wasn't improving. He and his mother felt it was kinder for doctors to withdraw treatment and pu

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 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.