Two experiences of a cancer survivor who underwent both a stoma operation for rectal cancer and a femoral head osteotomy for pyogenic arthritis

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to suggest an effective perspective for constructing a physiotherapeutic theory through interviewing a cancer survivor, who received two different medical treatments, about his experiences. [Subject] The subject was a 40-year-old-man, who underwent both a stoma operation for rectal cancer and a femoral head osteotomy for pyogenic arthritis. [Methods] The method was the case-code matrix method based on the structure-construction qualitative research method. [Results] The cancer survivor’s two experiences were dealing with change in excretion function, and cessation of lower extremity weight-bearing function. The two experiences were examined from various viewpoints, which were classified into six categories: feelings about changes in daily activity levels, expression of emotions related to functional change or stop, acceptance of functional change or stop, recognition of the affected part, contact behavior with the affected part, and new learning from the functional change or stop. In comparing the two experiences, clear or slight differences were acknowledged in four categories: feelings about changes in daily activity levels, expression of emotions related to functional change or stop, acceptance of the functional change or stop, and new learning from the functional change or stop. The two other categories shared certain similarities. [Conclusion] It is possible for our approach to suggest an effective viewpoint for constructing physiotherapy through the case study of the cancer survivor.