In My Hours of Need,I Was Robbed of My Family,Friends,Beliefs,and Education. A Mother’s Narrative on Her 14-Year-Old Daughter’s 9-Month Journey From Ill Health to Death

Abstract

The study utilized a highly qualitative, narrative, and free associative methodological approach to give a mother’s perspective of her teenage daughter’s 9-month journey from diagnosis of cancer to her death. Cancer is a unique chronic illness that impacts both physically and psychologically. The key findings of this study show that medical treatment alone is not enough and that professionals must understand the impact that cancer and the treatment have on the quality of life for the child and how the phrase surviving cancer has different meanings. It highlights the importance that family, friends, beliefs, and education have on supporting a teenager and the consequences of denying that access to all stakeholders.