Striving towards Normality in Daily Life: A Qualitative Study of Patients Living with Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour in Long-Term Clinical Remission
Table 2
Themes extracted from the participants interview.
Themes
Family life-normalisation and adaptation
Vocational life is important but requires adjustment
Limitations to social life and leisure time
Keeping negative mental health issues at bay
Subthemes
Struggling with tiredness and exhaustion Affecting of sexual activity and identity Concerns related to children Little energy for grandchildren Restriction for family members A normal life as possible
Wish to work Adjustments necessary Work as a social arena Professional role and contributing to society Work identity Adapted to routines in the morning Concentration problems Stop working was difficult but a relief
Little energy for social and physical activities Avoid social activities or make adjustments Reduced physical activities Put brakes on spouses Changed hobbies Apportion their energy Exercise importance Difficult to explain the limitation to others Toilet access problem
Uncertainty due to drug resistance and fear of premature death Relaxed to living with metastatic cancer More afraid of losing ability to function Limbo between uncertainty and hope Follow-up was burdensome for all