"Lived Experiences Regarding Quality of Life for Women with Metastatic " by Anna Maytte Comayagua

Date of Conferral

1-20-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Nursing

Advisor

Donna Bailey

Abstract

The diagnosis of cancer and various treatment modalities are linked to psychological distress that generally produces a decline in emotional and physical health and quality of life. There is a need for more research geared to help these women with metastatic breast cancer have a better quality of life. Grounded in the theory of unpleasant symptoms, a descriptive qualitative study design was employed to narrow the knowledge gap. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of six participants. A descriptive coding process led to these emergent themes: consternation at the initial time of diagnosis, treatment modalities, side effects, perceived quality of life, resilience, the importance of family, friends, pets, and faith, and the healthcare team is dependable. Despite their diagnosis and struggling between side effects from treatments, they managed to continue with their lives and found strength from deep inside themselves. They relied on their support system, from family members to church friends. They had expressed that their healthcare teams were essential to their well-being, from the person who sits at the front desk to the person who draws their blood. They were grateful for the physicians and nurses who spent hours while they got their treatments and gave them moral support. Based on these results, caring for these patients promptly can positively impact and bring about positive social change as they integrate into society by being assisted in relieving their symptoms.

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