The heart of a better half : a case study of the spouse of a cancer patient

Date of Completion

2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Nursing

Keywords

Cancer, Family Relationships, Social Conditions

Abstract

The qualitative research design, specifically the single-participant case study method was sued in this study. Purposive sampling was used. The participant, a typical Filipina descendant of an Ilocano clan, stands nearly five feet tall with a small body frame tempered by brown complexion. At 63 years old, this retired teacher obtained her highest educational attainment, a Master's degree in Education and actively engaged in social and community programs. Interview was used for gathering. Data was analyzed using significant statements pertaining to the focus of the study were extracted from the transcription, grouped together to form themes and then analyzed using Erickson's Parse's and other developmental theories. The following conclusions were drawn: 1) In search of the detailed bits and pieces of her individually, we can view the subject of the research as a woman who put on quite a number of roles in her life, portraying them in the best way she could, this made her experience unique and exceptional. She is not merely a spouse, but her totality as a person is a product of gradual building up of personality. Fragment by fragment, bit by bit, she was molded into the person she is with the chronological events in her life that have contributed to what she has become as a spouse; 2) More than just the roles she played in her entire life, her personal life still brings us to the basic aspect of her individuality. Such a unique and special person who portrayed myriad roles in various stages in her life, which significantly contributed to a very specific task she grandiosely played-that of a spouse t her husband diagnosed with cancer; 3) Heart's soothing presence in her family's life particularly her husband's beside cannot be discounted as a fruit of her nurturing filled with gentleness and trust; 4) A person should be viewed not by the present task he/she is in, but as a whole person and her/his entire individuality; 5) Lastly, a diagnosis of terminal illness to a spouse may mean the same for the other spouse in terms of the grieving process, but not all persons undergo the five-stages of grieving process namely: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance; others may skip a particular sage, as t would depend on her/his personality. Moreover, experiencing the stages may also happen in a cyclical fashion and not necessarily in a chronological order.

Comments

Call Number: TG MAN 10 13

Location: Research Commons

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