Table 2 Major Themes and Associated Codes
Thematic Construct | Category | Prominent Codes |
|---|---|---|
Cancer as Threat/Disruption | Physical Impact | Concerns: Body Changes/Procedures/Diet |
Definition of Living Well: Live Without Pain/Suffering | ||
Treatment | Concerns: Treatment Effects | |
Concerns: Treatment not Working | ||
Disease Trajectory & Death | Concerns: Uncertainty of Disease Trajectory | |
Hopes: More Time/Live Longer | ||
Character | Functional Independence | Concerns: Burden to Others |
Personhood: Preferences for Independence | ||
Maintaining Identity & Autonomy | Sources of Strength: Control | |
Sources of Strength: Myself/Caring for Self | ||
End-of-Life Preferences/ Preferences in a Crisis | End-of-Life Preferences: Depends on Health | |
End-of-Life Preferences: Dying with Dignity | ||
Communication | Communication with Loved Ones | Concerns: For Family/Others |
Discussion with Family | ||
Communication with Medical Team | Personhood: Communication/Info. Preferences | |
Sources of Strength: Possibility of Cure | ||
Connection | Connection to Loved Ones | Sources Strength: Family |
“Can’t Live Without It”: Social/Emotional | ||
Connection to Medical Team | Sources of Strength: Medical Team | |
Personhood: Relationship to Medical Team | ||
Sources of Meaning and Fulfillment | Maintain Normalcy | Definition of Living Well: Maintain Normalcy |
Definition of Living Well: Ability to Work | ||
Meaning & Fulfillment | Definition of Living Well: Enjoying the Present/Living in the Moment | |
Hopes: Volunteer/Help Others Like Them |