Mandy Doyle, a recent ICU patient, has shared how one of our charity-funded ICU patient diaries became an important part of her recovery journey. These diaries help patients and their families make sense of their time in intensive care by recording key moments, messages and memories during their stay. For Mandy, the diary helped bridge the gaps left by her coma, providing comfort, understanding and a lasting record of the care she received:

“I was so confused when I woke from my coma. I recognised who my family were but knew nothing about my illness, trip to Halifax A&E or transfer to ICU. It has taken a lot of talking and rediscovery from photos, visits and messages to learn about myself again.

"An amazingly valuable resource has been my ICU diary. This has helped fill in the gaps of my journey from near death to recovery. It has given me insight as to just how worried my family were, and what they had to do to keep themselves and my grandchildren going through the madness of the lead up to Christmas Day. I was able to go with them on their journey and to appreciate everything they had done for me.

"I was so very touched at the fact that my nurses took time out of their extremely busy day to fill in the diary and introduce themselves to me and explain what was happening whilst I was in their care. It is very evident just how much they were rooting for me and my family, and how dedicated they were to saving my life with the utmost dignity and care.

"As I re-read this now, five months on, it brings tears of joy and hope for a full recovery. I have come so far and still have a long way to go but I know, because of their diligence and care, I will get there.

"One entry that I read in my diary, was from my daughter Rachel.  On learning how poorly I was and that I would miss Christmas Day with them, my six-year-old granddaughter said 'well, we will just have to have a Christmas Miracle then, won't we!'

"And that's just what she got!

Thank you so much for this book. It will always have a very special place in my home and heart.”