Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.
Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. Short stay in intensive care following surgery was planned. Spent 4 days in ICU and about 2 weeks in a general ward.
Occupation: utilisation manager, metropolitan police. Marital status: married. Number of children: 2. Ethnic background: White British.
Was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in 2004. 2-day stay in ICU was planned, following surgery. Transferred to general ward in private hospital. Had to have a second operation and, because of complications, was admitted to ICU in NHS hospital. Spent 18 days in ICU. Had several more operations. In hospital for 5 weeks.
Occupation: retired airline crew. Marital status: married. Number of children: 1. Ethnic background: White British.
Has sickle cell anaemia and was experiencing chest pain, which turned out to be pneumonia. Breathing difficulties led to ICU admission and, because of multiple organ failure, spent about 12 days in ICU. Following ICU, spent 2 weeks in general ward.
Occupation: student. Marital status: single. Number of children: no children. Ethnic background: British-African.
Admitted to ICU in 1979 after heart attack. Had another heart attack in 1992 and was admitted to ICU. In 1994, had heart transplant operation and went into ICU after surgery. Back on the ward, developed septicaemia. Had another operation and then went into ICU. Developed pneumonia and spent 8 weeks in ICU. Spent 3 weeks on ward.
Occupation: retired fire fighter. Marital status: married. Number of children: 1. Ethnic background: White British.
Was admitted to ICU three times in 2004 and spent, in total, about 1 month in intensive care. Spent several months in hospital, in different wards and had a hospital transfer. Was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and, shortly afterwards, had an ileostomy.
Occupation: finance officer. Marital status: divorced. Number of children: 1. Ethnic background: British-Caribbean.
Had a planned caesarean in 2005. Had a complication (placenta accreta) after she'd delivered and had to have a hysterectomy. Following hysterectomy, was in ICU for nearly 2 days, then spent 2 days in her own room in the hospital with her new baby. Discharged herself and has had no problems since.
Occupation: nurse. Marital status: married. Number of children: 2. Ethnic background: British-African.
Had planned surgery in 1998 to remove kidney because of ongoing problems with kidney stones and infections. ICU stay after surgery was also planned. Stayed in intensive care for 2 days. Spent about five weeks in hospital after surgery.
Occupation: trainer/ researcher. Marital status: single. Number of children: no children. Ethnic background: White British.
Was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Had to have surgery to remove colon. Had kidney failure and was in intensive care for about 21 days, High Dependency Unit for about 2 weeks and a general ward for 2 weeks.
Occupation: none at time of interview. Marital status: living with partner. Number of children: no children. Ethnic background: White British.
Her 14-month-old daughter was admitted to intensive care in 2002 because of pneumococcal meningitis. Sadly, she died. Her organs were donated to help two other children survive.
Occupation: nurse. Marital status: married. Number of children: 2. Ethnic background: White British.
Was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare disorder of the peripheral nerves, those outside the brain and spinal chord. Was in intensive care for 7 months and on a ward for 1 month. Was preparing to have rehabilitation at time of interview.
Occupation: self-employed, own company. Marital status: married. Number of children: 2. Ethnic background: White British.
