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DOCTORAL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION for Brenda Hulett
October 24, 2023 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
ANNOUNCEMENT OF DOCTORAL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
for Brenda Hulett
Chair: Catherine Van Son, PhD, RN
Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 2:00 pm
Experiences of Living in Remission with Multiple Myeloma
Abstract
Background: Cancer is a disease that affect people of all ages and from all walks of life. The knowledge of cancer and cancer treatment has grown over the last several decades, leading to improved cancer treatments and more individuals experiencing cures and extended remissions. Multiple myeloma (MM) is one such cancer where treatments have increased the potential for extended remission. Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that weakens the immune system, causes kidney damage, and weakens bones, leading to fractures. Multiple myeloma predominately affects older adults, with 69 years old being the median age at diagnosis.
Unlike many other cancers, the MM journey is cyclical marked with active disease and remission periods. Relapse will occur for all individuals diagnosed with MM. Remission with MM often involves ongoing treatment and regular oncology appointments to monitor for treatment side effects and disease relapse. There also exists the probability of other concerns for those in MM remission, including apprehension about the future, financial stress, and relationship changes. Because of MM’s unique recurring cycle of relapse and remission, the experience for individuals in remission with MM may demand some unique considerations. However, the current literature does not contain research on those in remission with MM, particularly regarding their quality of life. It is unknown if the cyclic remission experience with ongoing treatment differs from any other cancer remission experience.
Aims: This descriptive phenomenology qualitative study aims to answer the following question, “What is the lived experience of individuals diagnosed with MM in remission following a period of active disease with treatment?
Aim 1: Assess the lived experience of individuals diagnosed with MM during remission after one or more occurrence of active disease with treatment.
Aim 2: Expound on specific experiences that describe the remission period for individuals with MM, particularly how remission is coped with and identified needs.
Aim 3: Explore how individuals diagnosed with MM define and describe their quality of life during remission.
Method: Descriptive phenomenology will be used for this study. Data will be collected through interviews with individuals in remission with MM following one or more occurrences of active disease with treatment. Cancer support groups and oncology offices will recruit participants from the Pacific Northwest. Colaizzi’s (1978) seven-step analysis process will be used to examine the data.
Zoom Information
https://wsu.zoom.us/j/98111703190?pwd=cThLMnBpSmttcmR1Z0ptK2JNV21wZz09
