Balancing a Changed Life Situation: The Lived Experience From Next of Kin to Persons With Inoperable Lung Cancer

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the experiences of quality of life/life situation among those who were next of kin to persons with inoperable lung cancer. Data were collected in qualitative interviews, where 11 next of kin articulated their lived experiences, and were interpreted through interpretive phenomenology. Four themes were identified: changed life situation, experiences of uncertainty due to awareness of the ill person"s changed health status, interpersonal relationships, and false hopes due to health care professionals" treatment. These four themes gave a structure presenting the essence: balancing a changed life situation. The findings of the study point out the importance of promoting support for the next of kin, since they are significantly affected by the changed life situation.There is a need to identify their needs and to support them.

The next of kin experiences of symptoms and distress among patients with colorectal cancer: Diagnosis and treatment affecting the life situation

“…At the same time, we found that they felt unsociable. This is in agreement with another study reporting that a feeling of isolation was described by the next of kin (Steinvall et al, 2011). Other studies show that the disease changes their way of looking at life, and they revaluate what is important (Edvardsson and Ahlström, 2008;Steinvall et al, 2011).…”

“…Almost all expressed this as a psychological burden; they mentioned a changed daily life, new routines and changed roles. Similar results are found in other studies (Esbensen and Thomé, 2010;Northouse et al, 1999;Steinvall et al, 2011). The next of kin described a constant anxiety about the patient, and studies have shown that the next of kin report more emotional distress than the patients do (Northouse et al,1999;Northouse et al, 2000).…”

“…The next of kin is defined by the patient as the person closest to him/her; a family member or a friend (Doyle, 2004). Living with a person with cancer means a changed life situation for the next of kin, and leads to changed routines and roles in the family (Edvardsson and Ahlström, 2008;Esbensen and Thomé, 2010;Sjövall et al, 2010;Steinvall et al, 2011). Sometimes patients change due to their disease, which can lead to conflicts.…”

“…The next of kin has to deal with their own new role in the relationship (Esbensen and Thomé, 2010). Next of kin state that it is important that life continues as normally as possible, and describe friends and other people around them as important to maintaining normality (Esbensen and Thomé, 2010;Sjövall et al, 2010;Steinvall et al, 2011). It has been described that the next of kin and the patient revaluate their life together and prioritise things in life differently to before the diagnosis (Esbensen and Thomé, 2010;Steinvall et al, 2011).…”

“…Next of kin state that it is important that life continues as normally as possible, and describe friends and other people around them as important to maintaining normality (Esbensen and Thomé, 2010;Sjövall et al, 2010;Steinvall et al, 2011). It has been described that the next of kin and the patient revaluate their life together and prioritise things in life differently to before the diagnosis (Esbensen and Thomé, 2010;Steinvall et al, 2011). Hence, next of kin are important for the patient during the entire disease process, and also often provide information to health care professionals about the cancer patient (Aaronson, 1991;Lobchuck and Degner, 2002), and they need support to manage their new life situation.…”