Lived experiences of five (5) cancer patients ages 15 to 60 in selected town of Cavite / by Kiethlyn Jade S. Jauod, Kimberly H. Lizardo and Angelou Mae A. Villamayor.

Thesis (BS Nursing) Cavite State University

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Nursing (CON)

JAUOD, KIETHLYN JADE S., LIZARDO, KIMBERLY H., VILLAMAYOR, ANGELOU MAE A., Lived Experiences of Five Cancer Patients ages 15 to 60 in Selected Towns of Cavite. Research problem. Bachelor of Science in Nursing College of Nursing, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite. April 2015. Adviser: Prof. Evelyn M. Del Mundo, RN, MAN, PhD

This study was conducted to determine the lived experiences of five cancer patients specifically, in terms of physical, physiological, psychological, and spiritual aspect as well as their experiences before and during the disease. It also aimed to describe the needs and struggles of cancer patients.
This study was conducted in different areas in Cavite, particularly General Trias, Indang, Maragondon, Naic, and Ternate. Then, to identify the target population, snowball non- random sampling was utilized, wherein it is the easiest way of selecting participants to refer who meet the researcher's eligible criteria. Then, after the snowball sampling, simple random sampling was utilized through the lottery method, which was done in order to give the participant equal chances to be chosen. The researchers used a sample population of five cancer patients.
Questionnaires were provided for every participant to fill up and answer. The first part focused on the personal information of the participant that includes name, age, sex, religion, educational attainment, civil status, occupation, family monthly income, diagnosis, duration of illness and type of family. The second part is the interview proper with fifteen (15) interview guideline question.
The mean age of the cancer patients was 37 years. The diagnoses of the participants were cancer of the endometrium, lung, breast, and osteosarcoma. All of them passed the inclusive criteria.
The lived experiences of five cancer patients were determined through interview and audio tape recording. It was analyzed through concept mapping, clustering and emerging themes based on the fifteen item questionnaire as given.
The interviews showed that in general, all of them experienced physical changes may it be the same or distinct physical changes based on the manifestations of the disease. This shows that there was a significant alteration in their experiences since they all have different kinds of cancer. But out of the entire five participants, three of them have the same changes in the body.
Another result shows that physiological changes of five cancer patient varies and falls under pain, weakness, and loss of appetite. The study shows that four out of five experiences pain and weakness while three out of five experiences loss of appetite.
In regards with the psychological response of cancer patients' experiences, four out of five mentioned that they were afraid of death, two out of five stated that they were afraid of the disease, two out of five uttered that they were depressed. Other than that, they also had their own state of shock, fear of being left by the significant others; they also experienced denial, abandonment, and fear of not getting well.
All of the participants claimed that they are being afraid of death. They are afraid that one day they can no longer wake up. One of them stated that the first time he heard the word cancer the thing he first thought is the idea of dying. He said that when he heardabout the word cancer the second thought is the word death. Other participants said that he is in denial at first because he is too young to diagnose with cancer and too young to die. One patient also claimed that she is afraid to be left by her significant others due to her disease. Some of cancer patient experienced depression because of the idea of not getting well or his condition becomes worsen and sooner may lead to dying.
All of them have asked strength and guidance from God. Four out of five patients stated that their faith in God become stronger than before. While one out five mentioned that her faith never changes because her faith it was really strong right from the start.
The themes discovered where Cancer is changing me: Deviation from normal physical features; Alteration in Body Functions; No hope, abandonment and the fear of dying; Reliance unto God's faith: Intensifying through spiritual healing; I am functioning well before the cancer strike in; Cancer and the changes I am experiencing; Family and financial support as a primary need; Cancer and the changes I am struggling with.

Submitted to the University Library 08/04/2020 T-5844