Penetrating the dark silence.

This study articulates women's lifeworld experience of unexplained and unexpected fatigue. Interpretive phenomenology situated within the perspective of Maurice Merleau-Ponty provides the study framework. Using purposive sampling, the study investigated the unexplained fatigue of 12 women in a southeastern state. Data analysis of interviews revealed a lost voice within the phenomenon of fatigue, providing new insights into this diffuse and dehumanizing experience. Ethical considerations are addressed for recognizing, hearing, and caring for women living with disabling fatigue to extend the goals of Healthy People 2010 by addressing new ethical priorities for quality of life over the next decade.