Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to explore illness experience of school age patients living with leukemia. A qualitative research methodology guided by Husserl Phenomenology was applied in this study. Participants were 13 school age patients with leukemia, aged range 9-12 years, who received treatment from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Data were collected by in-depth interview. The interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The Colaizzi's method (1978 cited in Streubert and Carpenter, 2003) was applied for data analysis. Findings revealed that illness experience of school age patients with leukemia consisted of 7 themes including 1) It's hurt : Children experienced pain from both illness symptoms and treatments procedures.; 2) Never ending sickness : The feeling of uncomfort from symptoms and side effects of treatment that occurred over and over again.; 3) Being bored : The experience of unsatisaction with what they repeatedly came across from their their illness and treatment.; 4) Encountering fear : Hospitalization made children encounter with frightening things, i.e. needle, ghost, and death.; 5) Ashamed of baldness : The feeling about their changing body image resulted from side effects of treatment.; 6) Unable to do what I want : Illness and side effects of treatment made children unable to do what they wanted.; However good experience also came up that was 7) Gaining more attention : Illness made children gain more attention from families and friends. This study provided better understanding about the perception of illness experience of school age patients with leukemia. Findings can be used for developing holistic nursing interventions that can effectively meet needs of school age patients with leukemia.