Interviewer: How was your life prior to being diagnosed with diabetes?
Mr. “X”: Well as I used to work in the police force, which gave me a daily routine, I was fit and active, I even used to play for the rugby team alongside co-workers. My life had a meaning and gave me purpose. I only ever drank socially at weekends and after rugby matches. What was once only ever a few drinks with the lads on a social basis has now turned into me drinking alone to excess.
Interviewer: How did you first discover you had diabetes and what symptoms occurred to make you feel the need to consult your GP?
Mr. “X”: I never really had symptoms, although I am an overweight man, I thought some symptoms were due to how unfit I had become since leaving the police force. As I was always tired and although I had to regularly visit the toilet, especially during the night, which in itself was painful as I suffer from a bad back. Having to keep getting up and out of bed left me in excruciating pain. So I consulted my GP about my back pain, which led to questions and blood samples. To be completely honest I was shocked when he told me my glucose levels in my blood were high, as although the past few years my diet has become much worse, I always kept a healthy balanced diet along with regular exercise, as you have to when you are in that type of career.
Interviewer: Would you please confirm what type diabetes you suffer from.
Mr. “X”: Type two diabetes.
Interviewer: How did this news affect you emotionally as well as physically, did you receive support from your immediate family?
Mr. “X”: The news as previously said was a great shock and reality wise I knew I had to change my lifestyle. My digestive system became intolerable, at first I became constipated, but this has become much better. Also I hate injections, and am insulin dependent. At first I was already depressed, as my life has became very disengaged, I rarely spoke to my family and former co-workers, although I do have an old friend I see perhaps once every fortnight.
Interviewer: You mentioned “I rarely spoke to my family and former co-workers”, does that insinuate you see much more of them now? Has your social life become more regular, since the diagnosis?
Mr. “X”: I do. Although they all have their own lives to lead, so it’s hard for them I guess. But I receive regular calls and visits, so it’s nice to know you have support.
Interviewer: How did your life change do you feel, since you were diagnosed with type two diabetes?
Mr. “X”: Well before, my life seemed useless, I couldn’t cope with the fact that I was becoming old and feeling useless, the death of my wife, was almost it for me. If it wasn’t for my eldest child becoming pregnant, I perhaps would not still be here today. As the mere fact of my daughter’s pregnancy, gave me new hope for the future, as I now realised the joys the grandchild could bring to me. Especially as my daughter expressed her wishes that I played a major part in her child’s upbringing and development, and that I would actually be valued.
I was depressed, and rarely felt the need to get dressed in the morning. Now I’m coming to terms with my wife’s death as I am seeing a counsellor once a week, I have overcome my fear of needles as obviously I had to, (laughs), you wouldn’t think a 65 year old man would be afraid of anything would you?
Interviewer: Everyone has fears, its part of being human. Has the disorder influenced you in any way?
Mr. “X”: Of course. My lifestyle in general has become better, my diet as influenced by my GP has left me feeling healthier, and I try to take regular walks, through parks etc at least once a day, also I swim two or three times a week.
Interviewer: Are there any other changes to your body in relation to your diagnosis of diabetes?
Mr. “X”: Every now and then I feel fatigue and apart from having to watch my diet which obviously made an enormous change to my lifestyle, I’ve been pretty lucky in regards to living with type two diabetes.
Interviewer: Thank you, for taking the time out and being part of this interview.
I will now go on to discuss my second case study, the same terms with regard to privacy and confidentiality are also associated with this interview.
I will first be discussing Miss “Y’s” current situation.
Miss “Y” is a 46 year old midwife, who works park time. She is the mother of three children and was diagnosed with breast cancer almost two years ago. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, she and her partner of four years, had an unsettled relationship. Many members of her family have been diagnosed with breast cancer and other forms of cancer in the past.
Below is a transcript of our interview.
Interviewer: Miss “Y”, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for authorising this interview and if at any time you feel you would like to withdraw from our discussion please do not hesitate.
Miss “Y”: Thank you.
Interviewer: How are you feeling today?
Miss “Y”: I feel tired. But apart from that I am absolutely fine.
Interviewer: I am pleased to hear that. Has your body experienced any changes before or since you were diagnosed with breast cancer?
Miss “Y”: Oh yes quite dramatically. Before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I had experienced lumps previously under my armpit, which were found to be nothing more other than swollen glands. I was a nurse before becoming a midwife so I had knowledge of what to expect as I had dealt with this scenario many times, I was aware of symptoms and that allowed me to pick up on the symptoms I was experiencing, such as, discharge from the nipple, although that does not directly mean breast cancer, many people in my family have been diagnosed with a form of cancer in the past, this enabled me to seek medical advice from my G.P. when experiencing anything outside the “norm”. Although I am lucky as I already have children, my doctor also advised me to avoid pregnancy as my reproductive system, would not be able to handle the effects of a pregnancy and may make the cancer worse. I laughed “as if I want any more children at 44”.
Interviewer: Are there any emotional or social effects which have occurred since you were diagnosed with breast cancer?
Miss “Y”: My life has had many struggles since dealing with breast cancer. I became a different person, my partner couldn’t cope with my mood swings and depression, which became the cause of our relationship ending. Which of course would affect a person’s self-esteem and it did exactly that. I felt ugly about my body, and was embarrassed by it. Although, I have seen many situations like mine, however, when it’s someone else, it’s hard to watch how emotional they have become and how concerned they look, but you could never imagine what they were feeling until you experience it for yourself. My social life became non-existent, as all my children are grown up now, my youngest is at university, so again I thought, if something happens to me how will the cost of the university bills be paid. Will that lead my child into debt? All of these things cross your mind and although you can’t help it, you almost begin to feel selfish and ask “why me”.
Interviewer: Which treatment did you undergo for your breast cancer?
Miss “Y”: I underwent chemotherapy.
Interviewer: How did this affect your lifestyle?
Miss “Y”: As my course of treatment was over a period of 8 months, my lifestyle has changed in terms of employment, as before the breast cancer I worked full time as a midwife, whereas now I work park time.
Interviewer: Do you experience any pain or discomfort at all?
Miss “Y”: I did experience feeling sick most of the time, tiredness and fatigue also mood swings.
Interviewer: Do you suffer from side effects from your treatment?
Miss “Y”: My skin gradually became darker and more sensitive to the sun, also my hair gradually became thinner.
Interviewer: Thank you, for taking the time out and being part of this interview.
