The experience of being diagnosed with cancer

The purpose of this phenomenological pilot study was to investigate the experiences of people diagnosed with cancer. Three co-researchers, two men and one woman between the ages of 59-79, all diagnosed with cancer, were interviewed. Through these interviews, eight themes emerged depicting their emotional journey through cancer, which included, a) initial shock and denial, b) displaced anger, c) being self-absorbed, d) complying with and enduring treatment, e) fatigue, f) relationships, g) wanting to feel good again, and h) feeling alone - people didn't understand what they were enduring. While researchers in the scientific and medical communities are working to find ways to mend the body, understanding the emotional, intrapersonal, lived-life of the cancer patient is paramount for providing the necessary treatment and care to address healing on all levels of the cancer patient. --