In your skin you are different: Women living with ovarian cancer during childbearing years

The purpose of this study was to understand what it is like to live with ov arian cancer during childbearing years. The primary researcher (PR) conduct ed three to four in-depth interviews, lasting 60 to 90 minutes each, with f ive women living with ovarian cancer for 1 to 10 years. Van Manen's method of reflect ion and writing guided the inquiry. The process of existential i nvestigation expanded the inquiry. Trustworthiness was assured through memb er checking, reflective journaling, coinvestigators checking the logic of t he PR's analysis, and the achievement of consensus through dialogue. Analys is of the data revealed the themes of serendipitous diagnosis, managing tre atment, horrible hair experience, hysterectomy violating one's sense of bei ng, unfairness of menopause, body changes, intimate dreaming, being with ot hers, being normal/different, being vigilant, being heard, and trying to ma ke sense of it. The stories revealed provide us with a window into the expe rience of women with ovarian cancer.