Table 2.

Example of a unit of meaning and Code, sub-theme and theme

Meaning unit	Code	Sub-theme	Theme
To be honest, I wonder if I live until next summer. I think I'm getting worse and worse and everything gets more and more difficult. This body cannot keep on panting and breathing in this way, like I do for hours sometimes. No 28	Will I live another year? My body can't go on anymore	Awareness of dying	Death anxiety
I can feel numb all over. The seizures make me so tired and I think that now I must help from someone. I'm just sitting at home, fighting until the ambulance arrives and they can help me. And I actually think that I'll die because I can't get any air. I: How does it feel? A lot of anxiety. Yes, there's a lot of anxiety. Well, I don't know how to put it; I'm afraid of dying. It's no fun fighting on your deathbed and not being able to breathe. That would be terrible. Many times I think; just as long as I don't die of COPD. No 25	Becomes paralyzed by COPD attacks Believes that you may die as a result of COPD attacks Experiences anxiety at attack Fear of dying of COPD	Fear of suffocation	Death anxiety