Striving for moments of easier breathing despite being trapped in breathlessness: meanings of feeling well for women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV

BACKGROUND: Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV means living an everyday life, severely restricted by breathlessness. AIM: The aim of this study was to elucidate meanings of feeling well for women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage III or IV. METHOD: The study has used a phenomenological hermeneutical design. Individual narrative interviews were conducted with 14 women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at stages III or IV. RESULTS: The results revealed one theme: striving for moments of easier breathing despite being trapped in breathlessness with four subthemes: acting in rhythm with breathing, taking care of oneself, taking advantage of better moments, and being in togetherness in everyday life. CONCLUSION: This study shows that women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at stages III or IV strived for moments of feeling well despite living with a severe illness. Feeling well meant that when connected to nature, they felt alive, free, and less trapped in breathlessness, which provided a sense of being unconscious of their breathing rhythm. They could do what healthy people tend to take for granted during everyday life. To feel well, the women found it important to receive tailored support from their close relatives.