Table 1.

An example of the analytic process

Preliminary themes	Meaning units	Subthemes	Main theme
Worrying	I sleep badly. In the beginning it was worse, but it persists. I lie there listening for his breath.	Monitoring Attending Being in a constant state of vigilance	Being on the alert
Being present	I think I need to be home and am afraid to leave him alone.	Managing the situation
Watching	I’m watching both day and night and sense when he starts to get worse.	Monitoring
Feeling responsible at all times	I look after him all the time as if he is a child.	Undertaking responsibility Being in a constant state of vigilance