Lived Experiences of Going Through Intensive Chemotherapy Courses Until Treatment Completion in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Survivors.

BACKGROUND

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most frequent form of acute leukemia in adults and the elderly. Standard AML treatment for achieving complete remission is intensive chemotherapy. However, few patients can tolerate the treatments and their toxic effects, and many decide to withdraw during treatments.

OBJECTIVE

A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to elucidate the lived experiences of receiving intensive chemotherapy until treatment completion from AML survivors.

METHODS

In-depth in-person interviews were conducted with 10 AML survivors recruited from a regional hospital in southern Thailand. Van Manen's phenomenological approach was used to guide the analysis.

RESULTS

AML survivors made meaning of their experiences as described in a core theme of fighting for survival. Five existential themes were also identified: attempting to be ready for treatments, being surrounded by significant people, longing for a place to rest, looking forward to the day of successful treatment completion, and appreciating advanced technologies.

CONCLUSION

The lived experiences of AML survivors demonstrated that fighting for survival is a source of motivation to live on during their cancer journey. AML survivors tried to maintain both physical and mental strength while relying on spiritual and family support to endure suffering and achieve treatment completion.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Understanding the lived experiences of AML survivors has implications for person-centered care. Health professionals, particularly nurses, should provide psychosocial support and consider digital-based interventions for patients with AML to help them cope with this challenging journey from diagnosis to treatment completion and thereafter.