Themes of Personal Becoming: An Exploration of Cancer Caregiver Narratives

Background The radical shift introduced by cancer can biographically rupture the life of the family caregiver (FCG). The life shift experienced by cancer FCGs calls for stories and storytelling to create meaning and make sense of how their lives can be reshaped and evolve despite the changes and ambiguity that cancer introduces to the family system. Objective This study aimed to explore advanced cancer FCGs’ experiences of personal becoming across the multifaceted dimensions of self. Methods Grounded in unitary-transformative nursing science theories, we used narrative inquiry alongside photo elicitation to create and analyze 5 cancer caregiver narratives. Thematic narrative analysis was used to identify patterns related to personal becoming within and across the narratives. Results The findings of personal becoming include multiple themes of transforming in ways of living and knowing: (1) past caring informs present caring of another and self, (2) meaning of life and purpose of self, (3) relationships with others, (4) relating to the natural world, (5) patterns of spiritual knowing, and (6) patterns of aesthetic knowing. Conclusions The findings illustrate that cancer FCGs may incorporate new patterns of knowing, perceiving, and understanding themselves, others, and the natural world. Themes of personal becoming illuminate a greater understanding of the complex experience of caring in family relationships affected by advanced cancer. Implications for Practice Nurses have a vital role in actively engaging cancer FCGs in deriving meaning from their lived experiences of caring through stories and healing modalities that illuminate and facilitate their transformation of self.