The Lived Experiences of Mothers Who Are Parenting Children With Leukemia

Abstract

Background Mothers parenting children with leukemia face innumerable challenges in meeting their own personal needs, as well as the needs of their ill child. Objective To explore the lived experiences of Omani mothers who are parenting children with leukemia, using interpretative phenomenological analysis design. Methods Data were collected from 10 mothers who were parenting children with leukemia who shared their experiences through a face-to-face recorded interview. Data were analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach methods. Results Three main themes emerged from the mothers’ experiences: (1) unexpected shocking diagnosis; (2) life is not the same anymore; and (3) viable support systems. Mothers found their child’s diagnosis to be shocking and terrifying. The diagnosis and treatment cast a shadow on the mothers’ lives. Mothers abandoned their work and left their healthy children to their spouses. Mothers relied on other mothers also parenting children with cancer and on the support of the extended family and health team members to cope and prayed to God to help them overcome the calamity. Conclusion The mothers perceived their life as changing immediately upon hearing their child’s cancer diagnosis as they experienced a plethora of emotions. They sought support at various points during their child’s illness to cope and overcome the challenges during the cancer treatment journey. Implications for Practice Pediatric oncology nurses can support mothers during their transition to caring for a child with leukemia and can provide the needed support to reduce maternal distress and increase effective coping with the challenges.

Caring for a Child with Cancer: Experiences of Jordanian Mothers

“…This study also found that shock, denial, and continuous crying were some of the responses to the news about cancer. Similar emotions of shock were reported in literature about women who were given the diagnosis of Leukemia for their children (Al Omari et al, 2020). In addition, women disclosed intense emotions and feelings of disbelief and refusal to accept the child's diagnosis (Al Omari et al, 2020).…”

“…Similar emotions of shock were reported in literature about women who were given the diagnosis of Leukemia for their children (Al Omari et al, 2020). In addition, women disclosed intense emotions and feelings of disbelief and refusal to accept the child's diagnosis (Al Omari et al, 2020). Naidoo et al (2016) found that being a parent of a child with cancer is an emotionally stressful event, associated with emotional manifestations such as feelings of distress, shock, disbelief, coping difficulties, and emotional pain (Naidoo et al, 2016).…”

“…Mothers' experiences of stress and parental role alteration were reported after their child's diagnosis with cancer. For example, Al Omari et al (2020) reported that a child's diagnosis as shocking and terrifying to parents. Shortman et al (2013) families of children diagnosed with a brain tumor experienced considerable negative impact and perceived themselves as struggling to cope.…”

“…Mothers, in particular, have reported limited ability to provide basic care for their other children, carry out their other family responsibilities (Ångström-Brännström et al, 2010), provide emotional support to the sick child, and manage the care of the sick child (Ångström-Brännström et al, 2010). Mothers have abandoned their work and left their healthy children to their spouses (Al Omari et al, 2020). They also relied on other mothers to help care for their hospitalized child with cancer at times and on support of the extended family and health care team to cope (Al Omari et al, 2020).…”

“…Mothers have abandoned their work and left their healthy children to their spouses (Al Omari et al, 2020). They also relied on other mothers to help care for their hospitalized child with cancer at times and on support of the extended family and health care team to cope (Al Omari et al, 2020). Rafii et al (2014) claimed that participants in their study neglected self-care to care for their sick child.…”