| Very little is known about the spouse's experience when their partner has a chronic condition and is hospitalized for major bowel surgery. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine what processes spouses experienced over time when their partners with Crohn's disease were admitted to hospital for major bowel surgery because of ongoing bowel obstruction. Eight spouses were interviewed during the hospital stay and 60–90 days following discharge. Two other spouses whose partners had experienced the surgical event one to two years in the past and two expert nurse enterostomal therapists were also interviewed to confirm or disconfirm the findings. Data were coded and analyzed using the grounded theory approach as described by Strauss and Corbin (1998).; The core category that emerged was Staying Close. Staying Close occurs in the context of partners who have “run out” of medical treatment options and turn to surgery to manage their chronic condition. Spouses Stay Close because the illness is unpredictable; the outcome for surgery is unknown; and, it is their spousal duty to do so. Understanding of their partner's illness, previous experiences with the health care system, ongoing symptoms, failed treatments, hope for remission and their support network are factors which impact upon the process. Spouses used two strategies to Stay Close - Waiting and Keeping Busy. As a consequence of Staying Close, some learn to be more assertive, to question, to live in the present, to re-evaluate priorities and continue to live with uncertainty. |
