Maximum TWO visitors

When I was in intensive care at Royal North Shore there was a strict rule applied to all patients.  That was a maximum of two visitors per patient at any one time.  This was STRICTLY enforced, and for obvious reasons.  When Aunty Val and Uncle George came down from Brisbane, and were visiting with Mum & Dad and Sharon, they'd do things via tag team, with three waiting outside and two inside at any one time.  I must admit at very brief periods we would have had three people at the bedside, but this did not last for long and we complied with the spirit of the law at all times while in the ICU.

One unfortunate patient who was in a nearby bed had mesothelioma.  This form of cancer is one of the most vicious and horrible diseases you will ever get.  No-one ever survives it (compare testicular cancer which has a survival rate of over 95%) and it kills within a relatively short period after diagnosis.

It is also a horrible way to go.  Your lungs cannot absorb oxygen properly and it feels like you are always short of breath.  As Bernie Banton described it, it feels like your lungs are encased in a concrete silo.  You cannot take in a deep breath as there are restrictions on the outside.

This unfortunate chap happened to know about his diagnosis, and knew then end would be soon.  So he was tidying up loose ends and ensuring all was taken care of when he was no longer around to do it.  So one afternoon he had a visit from a couple of guys in suits and his wife was also at his bedside.  They were working out his will.  There was a solicitor and his assistant acting as a stenographer, the guy's wife, and the guy himself and they were in quite deep discussion as to what was going to happen.

A nurse walked in, noticed there were THREE visitors at the bedside and asked one of them to leave.  She had no idea exactly what they were doing, but she knew the two visitor rule was being infringed.  I think if she had asked exactly what was happening (his will was being prepared) she probably wouldn't have brought this up.  I'm sure her embarrassment was greater than the nasty taste it left in the mouths of those preparing the will.