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- Andersson, Gun, et al.
(author)
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A chance to live: Women's experiences of living with a colostomy after rectal cancer surgery
- 2010
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In: International Journal of Nursing Practice. - 1322-7114 .- 1440-172X. ; 16:6, s. 603-608
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to describe women's experience of living with a colostomy after rectal cancer surgery. Interviews with five women about their experiences were subjected to thematic content analysis. The findings showed that receiving a cancer diagnosis gave rise to thoughts about life and death. For the women to feel comfortable, the information and health-care measures need to focus on supporting them through the entire process, also when the treatment is completed. After the surgery, the women adjusted to living with colostomy and carried on as before the cancer diagnosis, but they constantly worried about leakage or flatulence. The women were happy to have survived the cancer and this realization helped them to accept and have a good life with colostomy. In conclusion, women with colostomy because of rectal surgery need specific rehabilitation and nursing care that focuses on adjustment to temporary or permanent changes in life.
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| 4. |
- Carlsund, Åsa, 1969-, et al.
(author)
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Daily Life with Type 1 Diabetes from the Perspectives of Young Adults and Their Close Relatives
- 2018
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In: American Journal of Nursing Science. - : Science Publishing Group. - 2328-5745 .- 2328-5753. ; 7:4, s. 115-120
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to enhance a deeper understanding of daily life as experienced by young adults with Type 1 Diabetes and their close relatives. Young adulthood is commonly considered as an amendment to adult roles. Increased responsibility, such as a long-term illness in young adulthood, might lead to increased stress and anxiety. Type 1 Diabetes involves large obligations related to self-care, and close relatives might play an important role in managing daily life. A hermeneutic study involving interviews with a narrative approach with couples. The hermeneutic analysis revealed that T1D is always unconditionally present in daily life for young adults and their close relatives. Close relatives are important supporters, they have an understanding based on sharing daily life with the young adults with T1D. Young adults and their close relatives highlighted the experiences of being questioned, which in turn threatens the young adults’ integrity.
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| 5. |
- Carlsund, Åsa, 1969-, et al.
(author)
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Living With Type 1 Diabetes As Experienced By Young Adults
- 2019
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In: Nursing Open. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2054-1058. ; 6:2, s. 418-425
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. A person’s long-term illness influences many aspects of daily living, for the person affected as well as the family. Living with Type 1 Diabetes in young adulthood raises numerous challenges and concerns.Design. This study has a qualitative design.Methods. Semi-structured interviews were performed with 12 young adults living with Type 1 Diabetes. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.Results. The analysis revealed contradictory ways of handling the illness, as is illuminated in four categories: Handling the situation, dealing with others, lack motivation and relation to healthcare. Daily life for young adults with Type 1 Diabetes is filled with demanding tasks such as self-administration of insulin, blood glucose tests, and monitoring carb intake to manage blood glucose levels.
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| 6. |
- Eilertsen, G., et al.
(author)
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Similarities and differences in the experience of fatigue among people living with fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, ankylosing spondylitis and stroke
- 2015
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In: Journal of Clinical Nursing. - : Wiley. - 0962-1067 .- 1365-2702. ; 24:13-14, s. 2023-2034
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims and objectives: To elucidate the experience of fatigue across several long-term illnesses, focusing on the similarities and differences. Background: Fatigue is common to many long-term illnesses, but it has been studied mainly within the context of a single illness; qualitative studies comparing the experience and its impact on daily life across different long-term illnesses are lacking. Design: Qualitative design. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted of five original interview studies involving 95 persons with ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis or stroke. Results: Similarities and differences concerning experiences of fatigue were found across the studied long-term illnesses. All patients expressed the perception of having an unfamiliar body. Fatigue was also commonly expressed as unpredictable, uncontrollable and invisible to others. Differences were related to a constant versus a varying condition, a sudden and an uncontrollable sleepiness, a mutual reinforcement with pain and increased stress sensitivity. A lack of energy and a need for sleep and rest were common experiences, as was the impact on social relationships. There were also similarities regarding how the patients managed their daily life. The search for practical solutions and attitude adjustment differed with the fatigue characteristics. All patients felt a lack of understanding and disbelief from others. Conclusion and relevance to clinical practice: Fatigue is commonly expressed by patients with long-term illnesses. Variations in experience are related to the type of diagnosis. The disparity between experiences influences how patients managed and adjusted to the conditions of everyday life. The illness-specific characteristics of fatigue warrant increased clinical awareness and may allow professionals to offer adequate information and establish effective methods of managing the condition. The feeling of invisibility and difficulty describing the experience of fatigue in particular highlights this need. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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| 7. |
- Ekdahl, Ann, et al.
(author)
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Being met as a person and not as a diagnosis : meanings of healthcare encounters for women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease grade III or IV
- 2024
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In: Health Care for Women International. - : Routledge. - 0739-9332 .- 1096-4665. ; , s. 1-13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Our study seeks to elucidate meanings of healthcare encounters for women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV. We conducted 12 narrative interviews which were analyzed using phenomenological hermeneutic interpretation. Our analysis revealed one theme; being met as a person and not as a diagnosis with three subthemes: getting sufficient time and feeling involved in care; fulfillment of personal needs; and experiencing disrespect and injustice. We found that meanings of healthcare encounters center on the expectation of being seen as a person. Feeling disrespected and injust leaves women unsupported and could pose serious health risks.
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| 8. |
- Ekdahl, Ann, et al.
(author)
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Living with an ever-present breathlessness : Women's experiences of living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV
- 2022
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. - : Wiley. - 0283-9318 .- 1471-6712. ; 36:4, s. 1064-1073
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV has a major impact on a person's everyday life. This qualitative study focuses on women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe women's experiences of living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV. Method: A purposive sample of fifteen women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV participated in the study. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews that were subjected to qualitative content analysis. Findings: One theme was identified, stabilizing an ever-present breathlessness by restoring strength, and three categories are as follows: managing a restricted everyday life as an expert of their illness, being afraid of contracting infections leading to suffocation and suffering and importance of continuous help and support from significant others and digital media. Breathlessness restricted women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, living with a body they have to wait for. Managing everyday life was adapted to their limited abilities and energy. This required detailed planning, good knowledge of their breathing and body. Women were afraid of contracting life-threatening infections that caused suffering, especially COVID-19. The fear leads to isolation and digital media was described as an important means of communication. Significant others gave support and help that was practical and emotional. Women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease experienced lack of continuous help and support from healthcare professionals. Conclusion: Stabilizing an ever-present breathlessness by restoring strength required women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV to conduct detailed planning to manage everyday life. Being afraid of contracting infections and the consequences of suffocation had increased since the pandemic COVID-19 outbreak, which led to self-isolation and an inactive everyday life. To get help, support and socialize, women used digital media.
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| 9. |
- Ekdahl, Ann
(author)
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Living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Stage III or IV from the Perspective of the Affected Women and Their Close Relatives : A Qualitative Study
- 2021
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Licentiate thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV has a major impact on a person's everyday life. The aim of this licentiate thesis was to describe the experiences of women living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV, as well as the experiences as a close relative to women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV. In both studies, data were collected through individual, semi-structured interviews. The interview texts were then subjected to qualitative content analysis. A purposive sample of 15 women with either stage III or IV chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage and a total of 9 close relatives participated in the studies. The findings showed that breathlessness restricted women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, to live with a breathing and body which they had to wait for. Stabilizing an ever-present breathlessness by restoring strength helped them manage everyday life and adapt to their limited abilities and energy. This restoration required detailed planning and a good knowledge of their breathing and bodies. Women were afraid of contracting life-threatening infections that would cause suffering. Fear led to isolation, and digital media were described as an important means of communication (I). Close relatives were of major importance to women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in their everyday life in terms of being flexible to accommodate the women’s needs. They were flexible, available, and on stand-by. The COVID-19 pandemic was experienced by close relatives as a reinforced threat to women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Close relatives raised awareness of their vulnerability to potentially life-threatening infections, leading them to carefully avoid exposure and thus rely more on digital media. A more sedentary life was one effect of living in a gradually, yet controlled everyday life for close relatives. Women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV and their close relatives expressed that they lacked continuity, participation, and support from healthcare professionals (I, II). In conclusion, the findings of this licentiate thesis show that women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV and their close relatives experience both health and suffering in their everyday lives. By gaining understanding and insights into the lives of women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as the needs and everyday challenges of their close relatives, better health outcomes can be supported.
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| 10. |
- Ekdahl, Ann, et al.
(author)
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Striving for moments of easier breathing despite being trapped in breathlessness : meanings of feeling well for women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV
- 2023
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In: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1748-2623 .- 1748-2631. ; 18:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundLiving with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV means living an everyday life, severely restricted by breathlessness.AimThe aim of this study was to elucidate meanings of feeling well for women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV.MethodThe study has used a phenomenological hermeneutical design. Individual narrative interviews were conducted with 14 women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at stages III or IV.ResultsThe results revealed one theme: striving for moments of easier breathing despite being trapped in breathlessness with four subthemes: acting in rhythm with breathing, taking care of oneself, taking advantage of better moments, and being in togetherness in everyday life.ConclusionThis study shows that women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at stages III or IV strived for moments of feeling well despite living with a severe illness. Feeling well meant that when connected to nature, they felt alive, free, and less trapped in breathlessness, which provided a sense of being unconscious of their breathing rhythm. They could do what healthy people tend to take for granted during everyday life. To feel well, the women found it important to receive tailored support from their close relatives.
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