Background
Methods
Design
Participants
Ethical considerations
Data collection procedures
Data analysis
Rigour
Results
Number | Age | Disease stage | Child | Survivorship (years) | Education | Employment at interview | Marital status | Religion |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N1 | 33 | III | 1 | 1 | High school | Unemployed | Married | No |
N2 | 45 | II | 1 | 1 | University | Unemployed | Unmarried | No |
N3 | 35 | II | 1 | 1 | High school | Housewife | Married | No |
N4 | 40 | III | 0 | 1 | University | Unemployed | Unmarried | Buddhism |
N5 | 43 | II | 1 | 1 | High school | Unemployed | Married | No |
N6 | 32 | I | 1 | 3 | University | Part-time job | Married | No |
N7 | 34 | II | 1 | 2 | University | Unemployed | Married | No |
N8 | 37 | I | 1 | 5 | University | Housewife | Married | No |
N9 | 38 | II | 1 | 2 | High school | Employed | Married | No |
N10 | 43 | II | 1 | 2 | High school | Employed | Married | No |
N11 | 40 | II | 2 | 2 | University | Housewife | Married | No |
N12 | 34 | III | 1 | 1 | University | Unemployed | Married | No |
N13 | 25 | II | 0 | 1 | University | Part-time job | Unmarried | No |
N14 | 29 | I | 0 | 1 | University | Student | Unmarried | No |
N15 | 28 | II | 0 | 1 | University | Employed | Unmarried | No |
N16 | 24 | II | 0 | 1 | University | Employed | Unmarried | No |
N17 | 37 | I | 1 | 2 | University | Unemployed | Married | No |
Adjustment of parenthood
Changes in child-rearing approaches
“In the past, I paid great attention to her (the survivor’s daughter’s) studies. I take her study seriously. Now, I don’t value scores greatly. Both of us feel much easier than before.”
“In the past, he (the son) yelled at me if I asked him to study. Now, I say nothing. I sit next to him and read a book by myself. Gradually, he puts down the cell phone and studies too.”
Perception of children’s care
“My son came over and told me, ‘Mom, take a good rest. You must firmly believe that your illness can be cured.’ He gave me much confidence. I must live well and see his marriage and children.”
Ambivalence towards intimacy
Desire for intimate relationships
“I am young. I wish I could still meet the right man. However, I do not want to make it [an intimate relationship] necessary. Let it be.”
Perceive relationship insecurity
“My sex life is totally different from before. After all, I have had an operation on my body, which made me embarrassed. It (the cancer) is a shadow for both of us. To be honest, I have an inferior sex life.”
“I was still in chemotherapy treatment. He (my boyfriend) proposed we break up. This was a huge blow to me. I took a long time to recover. It is really hard for me.”
Concerns regarding fertility
“You should wait for several years to have a child. You will worry about the health of the baby because you are at an advanced maternal age. Will the chemotherapy lead to any side effects? You will definitely worry about it. It is a serious problem.”
“My grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer. My mother passed away from breast cancer. Now, I have the same disease. I dare not have a kid. I am the third generation in my family to have cancer. How could I bring a fourth generation to this cancer family?”
Return to work
Coping with gratitude and guilt by working
“I know a sister, who is about 30 years old. She works harder after the diagnosis. She probably worried her parents greatly. She spent much money during the treatment. She is the only child in the family. She thought a lot for her ageing parents.”
“Sometimes, I dare not talk to the people around me. In fact, they are worried, too. If I tell them my issues, it seems that I add a burden to them. I am very afraid of my negative emotion to have a bad impact. Therefore, I present myself as I wish to be seen, and I encourage them sometimes.”
Readapting to family and society by working
“As a woman, if you stay at home, you have to rely on your husband because you have no income. You would feel bored. If you work, you have to deal with many things related to the kids, such as teaching homework, attending parent meetings, etc. You cannot ask for leave from the company frequently. And you have to make some achievements. Otherwise, you will be fired by the company or replaced by a young man. So, females suffer great pressure from family and work. It is unfair, but no, you have to.”
Activation of the support system in a large family
Instrumental support from core family members
“The family is very important in knowing how to support the patients. You need to know how to manage the daily food of the survivor in addition to the economic strategy. How long is the period of each treatment? How to cooperate with the physician for treatment?”
“I know that they (family members) support me and love me greatly. I know they will never give up on me, even though we have little communication.”
Support from relatives
“My husband’s sister took care of my daughter. My daughter often has dinner with them. Then, my husband will take her home after he finishes his work.”