• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.760-772
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to explore the concept of quality of life for bone marrow transplant (BMT) survivors and to gain understanding of nursing interventions that may improve QOL in this population. The data was gathered from 32 BMT survivors using seven open-ended questions. The items were based on previous research of Ferrell et al., (1992). Content analysis was performed on written responses to seven questions regarding BMT and QOL. The results were as follows : 1. The meaning of QOL for BMT survivors were "being healt", "being able to take a role", "having relationships", "self-accomplishment", "peace of mind", "spiritual well-being", "economic stability" and "being alive". 2. The impact of BMT on physical well-being were "skin impairment", "digestive problems", "infections ", "fatigue/weakness", "arthralgia", "eye dryness". "weight gain", "amenorrhea" and "hand tremor". 3. The impact of BMT on psychological well-being were "fear of recurrence", "sence of peace" and "hope". 4. The impact of BMT on socioeconomic status were "financial burden", "limitation of social activities" and "sence of withdrawal". 5. The impact of BMT on spiritual well-being were "dependency on Supreme Being", "spiritual arousal " and "spiritual maturity". The findings of the study will be useful in constructing a instrument to measure QOL in BMT and in understanding the conceptual basis of QOL for the BMT population.ency on Supreme Being", "spiritual arousal " and "spiritual maturity". The findings of the study will be useful in constructing a instrument to measure QOL in BMT and in understanding the conceptual basis of QOL for the BMT population.L for the BMT population.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.393-399
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• 1994

Spinal cord compression, an oncologic emergency, is a rare complication of hematologic malignancy Our experience was obtained with a series 32 Patients following retrospective analysis for assessing the role of radiation therapy and identifying the prognostic factors affecting on treatment outcome. Diagnosis was usually made by means of radiologic study such as myelography or computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurologic examination. Five cases were diagnosed by subjective symptom only with high index of suspicion. In 31 cases, the treatment consisted in radiation therapy alone and the remained one patient had laminectomy before radiation therapy because of diagnostic doubts. Total treatment doses ranged from 800 cGy to 4000 cGy with median of 2000 cGy. Initially large fraction size more than 250 cGy were used in 13 patients with rapidly progressed neurologic deficit. The clinical parameters considered in evaluating the response to treatment were backache, motor-sensory performance and sphincter function. Half of all patients showed good response. Partial response and no response were noted in $37.5\%$ and $12.5\%$, respectively. Our results showed higher response rate than those of other solid tumor series. The degree of neurologic deficit at that time of diagnosis was the most important predictor of treatment outcome. The elapsed time from development of symptoms to start of treatment was significantly affected on the outcome. But histology of primary tumor total dose and use of initial large fraction size were not significantly affect on the outcome. These results confirmed the value of early diagnosis and treatment especially in radiosensitive hematologic malignancy.