Maria Björk1, Annelie J Sundler2, Inger Hallström3, Kina Hammarlund4. 1. CHILD Research Group, Department of Nursing Science, School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden; Division of Nursing, Department of Health and Learning, University of Skövde, Box 408, S-541 28 Skövde, Sweden. Electronic address: maria.bjork@ju.se. 2. Division of Nursing, Department of Health and Learning, University of Skövde, Box 408, S-541 28 Skövde, Sweden; Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, S-50190 Borås, Sweden. Electronic address: annelie.sundler@hb.se. 3. Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Box 157, S-221 00 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: inger.hallstrom@med.lu.se. 4. Division of Nursing, Department of Health and Learning, University of Skövde, Box 408, S-541 28 Skövde, Sweden. Electronic address: kina.hammarlund@his.se.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to illuminate parents' lived experiences of losing a child to cancer. METHOD: Interviews and a narrative about parents' experiences of losing a child to cancer were gathered from six parents of children whom had participated in a longitudinal study across the child's illness trajectory. The analysis of the data was inspired by van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological approach. RESULTS: One essential theme emerged: Like being covered in a wet and dark blanket, as well as six related themes: Feeling conflicting emotions, Preparing for the moment of death, Continuing parenting after death, Recollecting and sharing memories, Working through the sorrow and New perspectives in life. CONCLUSION: There is a need for good palliative care. If not, there is a risk that the parent will perseverate and blame themselves for not being a good parent during the suffering child's last time in life. Meetings with the parents six months and two years after the child's death might facilitate healing through the grief process.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to illuminate parents' lived experiences of losing a child to cancer. METHOD: Interviews and a narrative about parents' experiences of losing a child to cancer were gathered from six parents of children whom had participated in a longitudinal study across the child's illness trajectory. The analysis of the data was inspired by van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological approach. RESULTS: One essential theme emerged: Like being covered in a wet and dark blanket, as well as six related themes: Feeling conflicting emotions, Preparing for the moment of death, Continuing parenting after death, Recollecting and sharing memories, Working through the sorrow and New perspectives in life. CONCLUSION: There is a need for good palliative care. If not, there is a risk that the parent will perseverate and blame themselves for not being a good parent during the suffering child's last time in life. Meetings with the parents six months and two years after the child's death might facilitate healing through the grief process.
Authors: Sarah Mitchell; Karina Bennett; Andrew Morris; Anne-Marie Slowther; Jane Coad; Jeremy Dale Journal: Palliat Med Date: 2019-08-21 Impact factor: 4.762