Striving for moments of easier breathing despite being trapped in breathlessness: meanings of feeling well for women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV

ABSTRACT

Background

Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV means living an everyday life, severely restricted by breathlessness.

Aim

The aim of this study was to elucidate meanings of feeling well for women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV.

Method

The study has used a phenomenological hermeneutical design. Individual narrative interviews were conducted with 14 women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at stages III or IV.

Results

The results revealed one theme: striving for moments of easier breathing despite being trapped in breathlessness with four subthemes: acting in rhythm with breathing, taking care of oneself, taking advantage of better moments, and being in togetherness in everyday life.

Conclusion

This study shows that women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at stages III or IV strived for moments of feeling well despite living with a severe illness. Feeling well meant that when connected to nature, they felt alive, free, and less trapped in breathlessness, which provided a sense of being unconscious of their breathing rhythm. They could do what healthy people tend to take for granted during everyday life. To feel well, the women found it important to receive tailored support from their close relatives.

KEYWORDS:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• feeling well
• health
• lived experience
• individual interviews
• phenomenological hermeneutic method
• qualitative method
• women’s health

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all of the participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors report that no funding has been received in connection with the work on this research.

Notes on contributors

Ann Ekdahl

Ann Ekdahl, PhD student at Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden, focuses research on experiences in long-term illness, specifically COPD in women.

Siv Söderberg

Siv Söderberg, RNT, PhD, Professor Emerita at Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden, focuses research on experiences of living with long-term illnesses and encounters in healthcare.

Malin Holmström Rising

Malin Holmström Rising, RN, PhD, Associate Professor at Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden, focuses research on child health and long-term illnesses, specifically diabetes.