Patients' experiences of the recovery period 3 months after gastrointestinal cancer surgery.

It is known that patients who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery as a result of a tumour experience changes in weight and intake of food and fluid. Several studies have highlighted patients' experiences owing to cancer, but there is a lack of knowledge about the recovery period from the patients' perspective. The purpose of this research is to describe patients' experiences of the recovery period 3 months after surgery. Data was collected by inviting four women and six men, between 52 and 84 years of age, to participate in an interview or dialogue 3 months after surgery. The study takes a hermeneutic approach. The framework for interpretation is the theory "Man's search for meaning" and further theories about suffering. The recovery period is characterized by feelings of being "down in the depths", lonely, abandoned and disappointed, but also feelings of support. Some patients regained strength and energy and reached a turning point, while others did not. Patients' suffering is seen as being in limbo, a fight between lack of freedom and freedom, including feelings of hope and doubts.