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Table 6 Symptom, description of what makes the symptom unbearable and rated category; examples
| Symptom | Description of unbearability by patient | Rated category |
|---|---|---|
| Tired? | I hardly can do anything, it is nearly impossible to explain it in words. I never imagined a person could be so tired | Physical |
| Lonely (important people absent)? | I have one son, he does not visit me | Loss of meaning |
| Feel dependant on others? | I used to be very independent, and do all myself. Now I need to ask for everything, or wait. | Loss of autonomy |
| Hiccups? | It comes sudden and unexpected, it makes me feel uncivilized and ashamed | Loss of dignity |
| Feel to be a burden to others? | My husband, he needs to care for me continuously | Burden to others |
| Restricted sexual functioning? | It is gone, it is in pieces, not only for myself, but also for my wife | Loss of sexual role |
| Fear of future suffering? | I am in fear of suffering pain, that the pain will be unbearable | Fear of suffering |
| Nausea? | I feel panic. Am I going to vomit? Is it going to be difficult to breathe? Is it going to happen when I am eating? | Anxiety |
| Fear of future suffering? | I am frightened to suffocate | Death anxiety |
| Feel depressed? | This depressed mood in itself is unpleasant, at the same time it grows, because my daughter is doing less well | Depressive thoughts |
| Negative thoughts, worrying? | It haunts my mind all day: dissemination of cancer to my liver, 2 to 3 months to live. An operation? Other possibilities? | Worrying |
| Feel tensed? | To be able to be more relaxed would help me; now it makes me lose much energy | Feeling tensed |
| Hopelessness? | To take up a piece of paper , I can’t manage it, I cannot stand it | Hopelessness |
| Trouble accepting present situation? | The fact that it is as it is, to look it in the face. It is over, I am just waiting | Pointlessness |
