Coping with an exulcerated breast carcinoma: an interpretative phenomenological study.
J Wound Care. 2013 Jul;22(7):352-4, 356-8, 360.
Source
Department of Health, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland. sebastian.probst@zhaw.ch
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To explore how women living at home with a malignant fungating wound (MFW) cope with such wounds.
METHOD:
To
explore coping through the lived experiences of patients a
methodological framework, using Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology
and semi-structured interviews. Nine patients were interviewed from
January until November 2009.
RESULTS:
The results are
divided into two categories: 'living with a MFW' and 'feeling
different'. These categories demonstrate how it is to live with the
unpredictability, and uncontrollability of a MFW due to symptoms such as
malodour, bleeding, exudate, pain
and itching. The loss of control of the body boundary due to
uncontrollable symptoms led to significant levels of distress and
suffering for the patients. Different coping strategies were used to
live with this wound.
CONCLUSION:
This study demonstrates
how difficult it is to live and cope with a malignant fungating wound.
Coping strategies, including going into isolation, or denying any
issues, were used. When taking care of patients with MFWs, strategies need to integrate a palliative, holistic, empathic approach.
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