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Aim: The aim of this study was to generate insight into younger women's experiences of recovery from breast cancer-related breast surgery and to contribute to the knowledge base for clinicians practising in this field., Background: Despite the abundance of literature concerning the impact of breast cancer and breast loss on older women over 50 years of age, fewer studies have been conducted specifically with women younger than 50 years focusing on the recovery from breast cancer and related breast surgery. The effects of breast cancer on younger women differ to those of older women; younger women may have difficulty coming to terms with loss of fertility, perceived loss of femininity, sexuality and may experience body image disfigurement. Younger women may face these issues as a result of the treatment and surgery they have received to confine the breast cancer and attempt to improve their chances of survival., Design: A phenomenological qualitative methodology was used to capture the true essence and lived experience of four Australian women under the age of 50, who had undergone surgery as a result of being diagnosed with breast cancer., Methods: Tape-recorded semi-structured face-to-face interviews., Results: Thematic analysis revealed four major themes. These were 'It absolutely encompassed me,''Being overwhelmed,''Living with fear and uncertainty' and 'Finding strength within.', Conclusions: Findings of this study shed light on the experiences of recovery from breast cancer-related surgery in women under 50., Relevance to Clinical Practice: This research study will assist clinicians in understanding the needs of younger women undergoing breast cancer-related breast surgery, who may require counselling in relation to fertility and relationship issues and assistance in coping with the demands of work and home life., (© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Aims: This study aimed to build understandings of women's recovery experiences in the presence of continued pelvic problems extending beyond the puerperium to provide nurses and other health care professionals with information to enhance current practice., Background: Trauma to the pelvic floor during childbirth is a relatively common occurrence and can include damage to structures and nerves. A significant number of women will experience ongoing physical pelvic problems resulting from childbirth that extend past the puerperium; however, little is known about the experiential aspects of recovery for these women., Design: A qualitative, phenomenological study., Method: Narrative data were collected during conversational interviews with 10 mothers who had sustained pelvic injury during the birth process that persisted past the puerperium. Recruitment was via media releases and brochures distributed through childcare facilities. The data was analysed using Van Manen's thematic analysis., Results: The themes that arose from the analysis were: 'fearing intimacy', 'managing an unpredictable body', 'being resigned' and 'feeling devalued and dismissed'., Conclusions: Pelvic injuries that extend beyond the postpartum period are distressing for women. They negatively affect women's views of themselves and have an impact on various aspects of life including intimate relationships and social activities., Relevance to Clinical Practice: Currently, postpartum care may have a focus on baby rather than mother and this focus may impede women making full disclosures of ongoing health needs arising from their delivery. Findings of this study suggest that women may have specific needs that extend beyond the puerperium, indicating a need for continued holistic assessments and extending practice to identify and support women experiencing persistent pelvic postpartum complications.

Aim: To describe the perspective of individuals living with the chronic conditions of both type 1 diabetes (T1D) and eating disorders., Background: The TID and eating disorders are major concerns in Western society with the consequence of more prevalent and severe health complications. This paper arose from research on the impact of T1D on the self of adolescents and young adults., Design: In a larger longitudinal study (doctoral) of 27 participants (both male and females), data were collected from 1994 from 2001 using in-depth semi-structured interviews and a grounded theory approach; four female participants reported that they were experiencing T1D and an eating disorder. This subset of four participants from the original study was case analysed and the issues that arose for the participants are described using secondary analysis., Conclusions: Issues uncovered included the complexity of managing the interactions of the physical, emotional and social dimensions as well as personal relationships for the participants. These interrelated issues interfere with all-round management of T1D and eating disorders. Recognition and management of the comorbidity that exits in substantial numbers are of paramount importance in clinical practice. It is also necessary to incorporate the support of significant others in the health care partnership., Relevance to Clinical Practice: Health professionals who treat individuals with T1D need to be aware of the incidence of eating disorders among people with TID. Unhealthy weight control practices are of particular concern because they lead to poorer metabolic control which has a flow on effect causing micro vascular complications.

Background: This paper reports on the experiences of the children (nieces and nephews), volunteers (aunts and uncles) and parents involved in the Aunties and Uncles Co-operative Family Project in Sydney, Australia. The project has run for 30 years as an extended family network of community volunteers and has never been evaluated., Methods: A survey comprising open-ended and closed questions relating to the service was administered to all stakeholders. Demographic data were collected on all respondents. The text from answers to open-ended questions on the survey was coded for similarities and differences and was categorized. From the categories, the experiences of children, volunteers and parents were written with exemplars from the respondents' text., Results: Three major categories emerged from the text: enjoyment/satisfaction of the experience for volunteers, children and parents; family relationships; and the difference it has made to me (children, parents and volunteers)., Conclusions: The long-term benefits of a supportive 'extended family type' relationship were recognized by all participants. Although the children were the primary focus of the project, parents and volunteers also described the rewards they experienced. The volunteer element was integral to providing the wide-ranging, ongoing supports which would not be possible from a paid staff basis.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to consider the impact that an eating disorder had on the family, particularly the parents. The objective was to give a voice to parents in order to develop new understandings of their experience leading to more appropriate clinical decision-making., Background: The impact of an eating disorder on family life has not been well-documented in the published literature. There are numerous articles from the sufferer's perspective and treatment modalities. The following paper describes a component of a larger study that explored the parent's perspective of having a child with an eating disorder., Design: Nineteen mothers and three fathers from Sydney, Australia, volunteered to be interviewed as the result of advertisements placed in parent support organization newsletters and by using the snowballing technique., Methods: A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews was used to explore parents' experiences of having a child/adult child with an eating disorder. Themes were identified through in depth analysis., Results: Themes that were extrapolated from this research included, family unification or disintegration, parent's inability to cope, inconsiderate comments from significant others, social isolation and financial impacts., Conclusions: This study reports five overarching effects on family life. The authors conclude that one way in which the life of parents and families could be improved would be increased involvement and integration into the treatment process. For this to happen, health professionals would need to acknowledge the family as a resource., Relevance to Clinical Practice: This research documents the family struggle and highlights the current omissions concerning the family's role. The need for changes to clinical practice is substantiated. It requires health professionals to scrutinize their own clinical practice and consider modification of the treatment process.