Table 3.

Meaning of participant’s spirituality

Spirituality	Categories	Sub categories	Quotes
Feeling life worthwhile	Personal (5 out of 16)	Being independent (3)	“I could do chores, going to the market, temples, and drive a car so I feel totally fine. It (cancer) does not bother me
		Being at peace with self and others (2)	“It’s interesting how we could quarrel over trivial things with others. I forgive them all after I have this (cancer)”
	Family relationship (16 out of 16)	Children being independent (12)	“My kids are all married and have jobs. I have nothing to worry at all”
		Spousal/family support (4)	“He (husband) is always there with me. I couldn’t ask for more. (eyeing husband lovingly)”
Sense of belonging in the community	Social support (4 out of 16)	Normalisation (2)	“People said that I look totally normal. Do not have the “cancer” look (laugh)”
		Feeling loved and supported (2)	“They (friends) support me a lot and I feel really grateful to them”
Feeling connected to the nature	Religious (7 out of 16)	Karmic retribution (4)	“Karma. If you did good, you will receive good things in your life. So I’m trying to think and act in a good way”
	Nonreligious (3 out of 16)	Connected with god/higher being (1)	“It’s a test of faith and I’m embracing it. God does not cast this upon me without a good reason”
		Stronger faith (2)	“It’s part of life. We were born, grew up, got sick, and die. Who are we to go against that? I’m just going through that cycle”
		Being part of the nature (3)