“Let my mother come and may it smell like strawberries”: a qualitative study of illness experiences in school-age children with cancer (6–12 years)

BACKGROUND: Children diagnosed with cancer experience a complex process that affects their physical, emotional, and social well-being. Understanding these experiences from the child's perspective is essential for delivering high-quality, child-centered nursing care. This study aimed to explore the illness experiences and future perceptions of school-age children (6-12 years) with cancer through their narratives and creative expressions. METHODS: A qualitative study with a hermeneutic phenomenological approach was conducted using a multimodal design. Data were collected from 13 children using the This Is My World workbook, which integrates drawings and narrative expressions. This approach enabled children to communicate their experiences in developmentally appropriate ways. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged. Living with Illness reflected the impact of treatment-related changes on body image, perceived similarity to peers, illness-related challenges, privacy concerns, and expectations for compassionate care. Emotional Experiences revealed complex emotions, coping ability, fear, loneliness, and children's need for emotional closeness and a sense of safety, often expressed through poignant wishes such as "let my mom come, let it smell like strawberries." My Future reflected both children's uncertainty about the future and their hopes for recovery, returning to everyday life, and achieving their personal dreams. CONCLUSION: School-age children actively interpret their illness within interconnected emotional, social, and developmental domains. Their narratives reflect a strong desire for normalcy, sensitivity to privacy, and a need for safe, familiar environments. Pediatric oncology nursing should prioritize child-centered care, respect the child's autonomy and privacy, and consider using multimodal tools to enhance communication and psychosocial support.