Suffering Among Patients With Cancer Undergoing Neurotoxic Chemotherapy: A Phenomenological Approach

Abstract

Objective: reveal experiences of cancer patients undergoing neurotoxic chemotherapy. Method: phenomenology-based, qualitative study, carried out with nine adult patients in antineoplastic neurotoxic treatment, interviewed in June and July 2018. The testimonies were analyzed using an empirical comprehensive model. Results: the following categories were delineated: nerves on edge: perception of limitations caused by neuropathic pain induced by chemotherapy; chemotherapy drains me of energy; the suffering of starting again; the suffering of enduring it; alone in a desert, I heard the cry of my silence; chemotherapy: an infusion of hope; and there is no suffering on earth that heaven cannot heal. Conclusion: the study presented various meanings of suffering that emerge from experiences with neurotoxic treatment and found that many dimensions of suffering interpenetrate, making it impossible to disassociate them.

The Importance of Spirituality for Women Facing Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study

“…In the present study, faith and trust in God appeared as providers of physical, functional, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Several studies have confirmed this important connection [1,17,23,36,37].…”

“…Davoodvand et al [ 26 ] emphasised the ethical aspects of care and respect for the patient’s moral, social, and spiritual values. Clinical care has the potential to use methods to promote reflections giving meaning to events and evoking positive experiences in the face of distress [ 17 ].…”

“…In recent decades, scientific contributions to the spiritual dimensions of health have been increasing [ 1 , 8 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Spirituality is now seen as an important dimension of health and well-being, and, alongside religious faith, many individuals from diverse cultures may rely on it when confronted with severe illnesses such as cancer [ 8 , 16 , 17 ]. Spirituality refers to a set of emotions and non-material convictions [ 18 ] and must be understood as a search for connection with oneself, achieving a state of wholeness, a connection with others and the environment, and a personal connection with the sacred in an experience with the transcendent [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…Overall, holistic health care should be based on a shared understanding of spirituality in a multidisciplinary approach, with more attention paid to the person instead of the health problem, during the assessment and treatment of their emotional and spiritual distress [ 1 , 28 ]. However, despite patients’ right to receive treatment that considers their physical, spiritual, and emotional needs, health professionals often experience difficulties in recognising and addressing those needs [ 1 , 17 ]. This leads to challenges to provide more qualified and integral care.…”

Suffering experiences of people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy: A meta‐ethnographic study

“…Supported the third‐order construct: Chircop & Scerri, 2018a Stanze et al, 2019 Wakiuchi et al, 2019b; Noorisanchooli et al, 2018; Komatsu et al, 2019; Chen et al, 2016; de Kruif et al, 2020; Nizamli et al, 2011; Mesquita et al, 2011; Romeiro et al, 2016; Kanda et al, 2017; Guerrero et al, 2011; Buetto & Zago, 2015; Palacios‐Espinosa & Zani, 2014; Buetto & Zago, 2015; Buiting et al, 2013; Chou & Lu, 2019; Boucher et al, 2018; Cebeci et al, 2012; Thornton et al, 2014; Seibaek et al, 2013; Martin et al, 2020; Maree & Mulonda, 2015; Liao et al, 2018; Iddrisu et al, 2020; Kakuta et al, 2015; Wakiuchi et al, 2019a; Mendonça, Pereira, Magnago, Silva, et al, 2020a.…”