Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1983, underwent a mastectomy.

• Shared decision-making: Cancer

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.

• Shared decision-making: intensive 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.

• Shared decision-making: long-term health conditions

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.

• Shared decision-making: long-term health conditions

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.

• Shared decision-making: long-term health conditions

In 2006 her husband had liver disease and pneumonia and sadly died in ICU. She has gained strength from having counselling and from her spirituality.

• Shared decision-making: long-term health conditions

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.

• Shared decision-making: long-term health conditions

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.

• Shared decision-making: intensive care

Diagnosed with prostate cancer 1999, cryosurgery 2000, with some hormones.

• Shared decision-making: Cancer

Diagnosed with prostate cancer 1998, watchful waiting.

• Shared decision-making: Cancer