What patients said about own healthcare state

What is talked about and theme

What patients said about their experience of the healthcare professionals signals

I felt nearly healthy as the physician expected to have removed my cancer at the surgery.

[After information about cancer support:]

I felt unsure, paralyzed and tense and at the hospital I only walked to the toilet and back to my bed.

The first days after discharge I was mainly in my bed. Then my husband gave me small tasks and from there my mobilization moved forward.

What is talked about

Disharmony between experienced own health state and what is signalled form the healthcare professionals, and psychical and physical further experiences

Theme

Disharmony as draining of energy

A nurse informed me about my cancer support opportunities after discharge. That was bad.

Honestly… I have just had a surgery for cancer.

[After experienced expectations from nurses:]

I lacked care. I felt sad and alone and drained for energy. I could do nothing but hide under my duvet.

In the first days after discharge I spent 80% of my time on my sofa without ideas and energy to start mobilization. I think this passiveness was caused by my passiveness in my in-hospital period. Normally, I am very active.

After surgery it was out of bed, take care of yourself and we expect you to go home tonight or tomorrow morning. You are not that sick even though you just have had a surgery for cancer.

I was sick, both before and after the surgery.

The nurses’ attitude made me feel light and calm and it became a bit easier to overcome the mobilization.

The first days after discharge I was on my legs for two or three hours three times a day. I did walks and simple housekeeping, and actually I also rearranged my terrace.

What is talked about

Harmony between experienced own health state and what is signalled from the healthcare professionals, and psychical and physical further experiences

Theme

Harmony as giving energy

The nurses were indeed caring and nice,

and they always helped me each time I needed it.

As in-patient I had to do a considerable part myself, but it wasn’t a problem, as I was kind of healthy ? or nearly, as I had just had a cancer surgery.

I think I had an easy in-hospital time and I ended up walking miles at the ward.

In the first days after discharge I have walked many hours and the last tour was nearly as fast as before surgery. I do simple housekeeping and have even vacuum cleaned for five minutes.

The nice and understanding nurses gave me information about the mobilization and gave me the time I needed to mobilize.