title: Experiences of patients with laryngectomies as they reintegrate into their community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this qualitative study is to describe the patient's experiences as they reintegrate into the community following laryngectomy surgery and identify their perceived support and barriers within this transition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using Thorne's interpretive descriptive approach, purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants from two large urban hospitals. In-depth, audio-taped interviews were conducted with nine participants 6-12 months following surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Enveloped under an overarching theme of a "Constant Accommodation to Life with a Laryngectomy," were three main themes: (1) "Impact of Cancer Diagnosis," (2) "Coping with Illness: Trying to Live Life like Before," and (3) "Transitions in Recovery." Subthemes further illuminated the constant accommodation participants had to make following cancer recurrence, surgery, and returning home.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with laryngectomies face major changes in lifestyle related to altered airway, loss of voice, body image concerns, and challenges with eating. Support of family, friends, and health care professionals is critical for successful transition during this stressful period. Instant messaging, email, Web-based support groups, and video messaging can contribute to a great improvement in communication and engagement for this population.
authors.affiliation: Surgery/Oncology Centre of Excellence, Mount Sinai Hospital, Rm. 1131, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 1X5. pdooks@mtsinai.on.ca
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dooks
authors.forename: Maurene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McQuestion
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Molassiotis
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D003144:Communication Barriers; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D011788:Quality of Life; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012931:Social Environment; D057545:Social Stigma; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology