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The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to allow childhood leukemia patients to describe their quality of life (QoL) in their own words. These personal accounts provide an opportunity for health care personnel to understand the impact that leukemia has on these children. A total of 13 children in three focus group interviews participated. They ranged in age from 5 to 9 years and were either off therapy or had completed at least 6 months of treatment. Four semistructured interview questions were used to guide the interviews. Each question related to a domain identified in previous research as having an effect on QoL. Thus, the areas explored in this study were (a) physical well-being and symptoms, (b) psychological well-being, (c) social well-being, and (d) spiritual well-being. Five themes were identified: (a) fatigue, (b) the effect on activities, (c) medication and treatment effects, (d) relationship changes, and (e) hair loss.

The adolescent life stage encompasses unique developmental challenges. Little is known about the experience of receiving a cancer diagnosis during this already demanding life stage. The aim of this study is to explore the lived experience of being diagnosed with cancer from the perspective of the adolescent. A phenomenological approach is used to perform semistructured interviews with 10 adolescents who have been diagnosed with cancer within the previous 4 to 6 months. Colaizzi's method of analysis is used to allow themes to emerge from these data. Six themes capture the essence of being diagnosed with cancer from the perspective of the adolescent: (1) the stunning loss of normalcy, (2) gaining information, (3) the importance of friends and their reactions, (4) getting used to it, (5) giving back, and (6) family support. The results of this study provide an emerging understanding of the unique perspective of the adolescent with cancer. Understanding this perspective is critical to meet the needs of this population.

Little is known about the long-term impact of surviving childhood cancer. Most children diagnosed with cancer now survive into adulthood due to advances in medical treatment. Although the number of survivors of childhood cancer has increased, a review of the literature revealed a paucity of studies that explores survivorship of childhood cancer from the perspective of the adult survivor. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the lived experience of 12 adults who survived childhood cancer. This research methodology allows the meaning or essences of experiences that occurred to be uncovered. Four themes emerged from these data: (1) ongoing consequences for having had cancer, (2) living with uncertainty, (3) the cancer experience is embodied into one's present sense of self, and (4) support is valued. The results of this study demonstrate that a childhood cancer experience affects the life of each survivor, which results in specific health care needs. This knowledge is important as the number of survivors increases. Knowledge of their concerns is imperative prior to providing appropriate health care.

Few research studies have obtained data directly from the adolescent with cancer regarding decision making. The developmental stage of these patients focuses on developing independence, yet the health care decisions required for cancer treatment preclude independent decision making. The purpose of this pilot, or exploratory, study was to determine whether the research question is appropriate and whether participants between 13 and 15 years of age were capable of providing rigorous data. The results suggest that treatment decision making was not a concern for these patients and that they were capable and appropriate study participants. Semistructured interviews were performed with 3 adolescents diagnosed with cancer within the previous 3 to 6 months. These data were qualitatively analyzed using Colaizzi's technique, which identified themes perceived as critical by these participants. Independent behavior, such as decision making, is not relevant at this health care juncture. However, support, information, and education are desired. These should be routinely available using means appropriate for adolescents. Infusing information and education into the health care plan from time of diagnosis may allow the adolescent to become knowledgeable about the disease process. This may enable him or her to participate in health care treatment decisions, when appropriate.

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The study aim was to describe the perceptions of 65 Midwestern rural women related to healthy eating, physical activity, and weight management. A semistructured interview guide was used to elicit data. Theory of planned behavior constructs were used to categorize the data into 4 predominant themes related to healthy lifestyle behaviors, (a) knowledge and attitudes, (b) rural cultural influences, (c) facilitators, and (d) barriers. Analyses revealed that facilitators and barriers consisted of social and environmental factors, and personal life situations. Results suggest key elements for developing and implementing effective physical activity and weight management interventions for Midwestern rural women.

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