Table 2.

Main Themes and Subthemes.

Main Themes	Subthemes	Representative Quotes
A. Experiencing a traumatic event	A.1. EXTREME EMOTIONS	“I felt fear and agony … It was like going to war, being injured and getting a permanent scar that reminds you of that moment, every day” (p. 8).
Β. Living a new reality	Β1. PERSONAL CHANGES	“I just remember the woman I was … and I can see the changes now… my life has changed …” (p. 5).
	Β2. SOCIAL ADJUSTMENTS	“Sometimes people feel sorry for you … I did not want anyone to pity me … so I prefer to be alone, not to let the others know what I am doing or that I am not who I used to be. It took me a long time to go out for a walk …” (p. 7).
C. Efforts to improve quality of life	C1. AUTONOMY	“After 3 years of living with the stoma, I have overcome the obstacles … I know how to manage it now, I control myself … now it is fine for me …” (p. 4).
	C2. SUPPORT	“She (the community nurse) makes life easier for me …the nurse makes changes so I can plan my work effectively, I feel clean and confident …” (p. 3).