Interview 18
Her best friend spent two weeks in ICU. She was the closest person to her, visited her daily and is now her main carer.
In 2001 her best friend spent two weeks in ICU following surgery for bowel perforation. When her health deteriorated she was transferred to an ICU in another hospital and had to have further surgery. After a few very critical days she began to improve and was later transferred to a High Dependency Unit where she spent a further 2 weeks. After about four days on a general ward she was transferred back to the first hospital and also had rehabilitation for several months. During this time, she became her friend’s next-kin because her friend hadn’t any siblings and her elderly father lived some distance away.
She took four weeks off work and visited her friend daily while she was in hospital and, when she was discharged, helped her with housework, shopping and cooking. She still looks after her friend and is now her registered carer. Her friend often has mood swings, feels depressed and doesn’t want to go out very often. Although their friendship has changed, they see one another almost daily and are still very close.