ABSTRACT
Objective:
to unveil the significances of women who experience being the caregiver of their companion with cancer.
Method:
a Heidegger's phenomenological research, performed with ten women who are caregivers of their companions with cancer in a town in the northwest of the state of Paraná, Brazil, from December 2013 to February 2014. The following guiding question was used: "How has it been for you to care for your companion with cancer?".
Results:
from the analysis of the speeches the following ontological themes emerged: "Taking responsibility of caring for the companion with cancer", "Learning to live with the intimacy changes" and "Learning to live with the feelings related to care". The data revealed the wives' sense of responsibilities for caring and the influence of feelings in the act of caring, including the impact on the couple's intimacy.
Conclusion:
in the midst of difficulties, the feelings of affection are the driving force behind these women to continue their actions as wife-caregivers.
Key words:
Neoplasia; Caregivers; Women; Nursing; Nursing Care