| The purpose of this qualitative heuristic study is to explore and describe the lived experience of women who have undergone open heart surgery. All participants, including the researcher, had open heart surgery at least two years prior to participation and were between the ages of 25 to 55 at the time of consent. Using a heuristic design, the researcher remained a primary part of the investigation along with all participants, also referred to as co-participants for this study. Data was gathered using daily journals and a single face-to-face conversational interview, while the heuristic analysis of the data followed Moustakas (1994) procedures and processes. The analysis and resulting findings revealed common themes and patterns among the post open heart surgery lived experiences of women, drawing attention to the complex multifaceted nature of varied psychological, emotional, social, and physical outcomes described by participants. The common themes and patterns participants directly associated to their post open heart surgery experiences are highlighted in the three exemplary portraits and verbatim quotes of all participants. The findings reveal common descriptions of experiencing fear and anxiety over possible need for future heart surgery or hospitalizations and dealing with existential issues such as mortality. In dealing with this long-term traumatic event the desire to be comfortable in the work and home environments, including not self-blaming if they consider or receive disability benefits, and finally an appreciation for life and changed lifestyle to reduce unhealthy habits leading to a quest to find meaning and purpose in their new normal. These patterns were not surprising given the exemplary portraits presented cohesive support of the in-depth descriptive experiences evident in the women, without exception. |
