Live Spiritual Experiences of Patients with Terminal Cancer

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Purpose: This study attempted to propose the basic framework for spiritual nursing intervention by understanding live spiritual experiences of terminal cancer patients. The study duration was from July 2002 to January 2003, and the subjects of this study were patients who were expected to live less than six months. The number of subjects was six and the average time of each interview was about an hour. Method: The data were analyzed using the method of phenomenological study analysis, which Colaizzi (1978) proposed. Result: Through live spiritual experiences. terminal cancer patients showed complex emotion about the Absolute, human, disease, and death: depended on the Absolute through recognizing death and spiritual acknowledgement: recollected the past life: accepted death believing salvation and immortality: recovered relationships with others through forgiving and reconciling with the Absolute and neighbors. Also, they pursued the meaning of pain. death, and life while feeling pain: demanded love and concern to the Absolute and neighbors: had a sense of futility about life and a hope for the future life: transcendental energy towards the world after death. Wishing to have a peaceful end to life. they felt peaceful and comfortable. Conclusion: Terminal cancer patients want to meet a peaceful end to life with a hope for the future and accept the meaning of death with peace and comfort minds(##-minds), which will allow them to carry on peaceful and satisfactory days for the rest of their lives. Thus, it is very important for caregivers to let them have spiritual experiences and care for them.