Table 4 Theme 1: Journey of discovery during ePEEP

THEME 1: The journey of discovery

Departure point on journey

Identity pre-ePEEP

Identity

Role of self

Role of family

Role of the HCP

I mean in terms of doing things physically. I can work any power tool a man can work, I can mix cement, everything. So, I thought I did this damage to myself. Gr1_P3

All you know is you are in a hell of a lot of pain, you cannot get out of bed, you cannot see to your kids, you can’t pick them up, hug them, hold them, play with them because the slightest touch hurts you. You live a life of misery. Gr1_P3

I experienced the pain, and nobody knew what it was, and they did all this testing I was diagnosed, I had the surgery, and during this time I just lost track of myself, and I lost track of my goals. Gr1_P4

And I know prior to being in ePEEP I didn’t want this pain. I wanted to stop being this evil that will just snap at people because I was riddled with pain and I was frustrated and moody. And I didn’t want that. I wanted my children to have a happier life, like they had before – I wanted to get back to the person I was before and even better. Gr3_P6

Meaningful learning

The learning environment

Open, relaxed

Non-judgmental

Every week he would – before we started the program – he gave us a platform to basically speak about how we feel, how we are dealing with our pain, how we are dealing with our thoughts, so he gave us the, ja – he gave us a platform for us to be heard, Gr1_P4

And they were of great help to me; that I could share with them what I am going through; and that I did not have to worry about being judged or criticised. Gr2_P1

Active engagement/experiential learning

Learning new strategies for pain

Exercise

Mindfulness

Relaxation

Nutrition

There was one of the modules in our program that we did was the physical activity. I don’t think that I would have realised what major impact it has on your body and your life if you start to become physical, it also reduces the amount of pain that you feel and there was a time that I was going through some phase of depression as well, so it actually helped me with that as well. Gr1_P4

The homework tasks with the exercising, making sure you were fit and posting and reading your book and understanding and meditating – that I loved, especially the meditating part. The relaxation part – I liked that part because nobody would disturb me. Gr1_P3

I think the other part I found valuable as well was the eating plans, and … because we don’t realise what an important role food plays in our lives. So if you don’t eat properly you won’t be able to function properly, so yes, definitely the eating plans would be number 2 for me. Gr1_P4

I didn’t just complete my 6-week pain programme, I successfully completed my 6-week pain program. Because I did not stop there and I have got results, and I have learnt that pain is not everywhere, I just need to calm myself down and focus. Gr1_P3

I also jot down the things I need to say to the doctor, the things I need to ask the doctor so that if there is something that I forget it is written down and that is one of the things that we also learned in the group is that write down your things, prepare yourself before you visit. And one thing I loved, these are things I would normally do and them stating it in the group just affirmed that what I was doing was right. Gr3_P6

On reaching the journey destination

Transformed identity

Changed mindset

An internal locus of control

New life beyond mere existence

I am the driver to my destination

Decision making

I am positive. I’m not depressed. I am looking forward to life, I have thanked the pain group on Facebook as well as my fitness group because if it wasn’t for (the facilitator), I’m going to be honest with you – if it wasn’t for (the facilitator). I would not have exercised…, and I would not be climbing a mountain tomorrow. I am more than willing to share my story because I am alive. I am alive, I am not just existing anymore. I am a person. Gr1_P3

The most important thing that changed for me … my whole life changed for me, all at once. So, I can’t answer that just as in a, like I can sweep my house now. No, everything changed. You need to know that every single thing changed – everything changed. My mindset changed, my body changed, my world changed, my way of thinking changed, my way of doing things has changed – everything has changed. Gr2_P5

I think that my mindset has changed completely. Like before I started the program, I used to use medication a lot. I don’t use medication at all anymore, so I would still experience some pain but it’s more mind over anything else, so I would do something to distract myself from the pain Gr1_P4

It is a bit tougher now that I am off the program, but I think that is where self- motivation comes in and you have to realise that you are doing it for yourself and your own well-being and you won’t be, you can’t basically be dependent on somebody else to help you throughout your life. You have to make a decision to do it yourself and you have to stick to the goals that you have set for yourself. Gr1_P4

Engaged family

Family support and understanding

It was nice when you hear the others say they got their family members to do the mindfulness exercises or the walks or the breathing, so just like with my family that implemented with theirs and it became not just something you would share for yourself, but it becomes a family goal and it just makes the, when you achieve things so much greater. Gr3_P6

I think I have a happier family, they eat healthy, and they participate in the activities. Because I said I am in the program, I can’t just leave now. Gr2_P2