Table 1 Themes in conditions

Nature

Manifestation (sudden/surreptitious)

4

12

7

10

Evaluative (worst symptom)

1

11

4

2

Associated feelings (fear)

4

18

2

10

Influence on life (inhibiting)

3

17

9

10

Label

No immediate diagnosis

1

18

Diagnosis carrying meaning

10

1

10

Diagnosis not carrying meaning

17

Long search for diagnosis

10

Time line

Awareness of diagnosis after test for symptoms

10

Awareness of diagnosis in retrospect

18

Awareness after manifestation of symptoms and confirmed by test

10

2

Step by step awareness

8

Cause

Internal

2

7

External

5

18

Both

2

2

3

Not clear

1

10

Coping symptom

No advice

9

12

8

PR

1

5

2

Essential breathing aids

10

Coping illness

Psychological/spiritual mechanisms

7

4

6

10

Self-management

5

Caution strategies

11

10

Hope in surgery for cure

4

7

Hope in treatment for extending life

5

Lack of coping (suffering)

11

2

Reliance on medication

10

Consequences

Family

3

9

3

10

Financial

2

12

2

3

Disability

2

18

10

10

Search for cure

3

Fear of dying/death

3

12

6

Stigma

2

10

3

3

Access to care

12

6

Copers

5