Qualitative study on the meaning of “walking” in the terminal cancer patient the illness narratives

Abstract

Objective: To clarify the meaning of“ walking” for the terminal cancer patient in our study. Patient and Methods: A life chart was composed based on the illness narratives of the terminal cancer patient, and meanings of “walking” were examined from the patient’s descriptions on “walking.” Results: Physical conditions, beliefs, and feelings during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood were addressed, and the meaning of “walking” was clarified. The meaning varied from time to time, and could be something that gave one a“ sense of being firmly attached to the earth” and feeling“ grateful,”or it could be“an orientation toward the future,”“doing the work,” or“ a wonderful thing that people will not be happy about.” Discussion: The meaning of“ walking” was summarized as“ the will to carry out one’s own core beliefs.”