Mr. Tran Van Quyen (47 years old, Ninh Binh) discovered he had kidney failure in 1996, when he was only 17 years old.
Since then, his life has been almost closely associated with the hospital, with prolonged blood filtration sessions.
The cost for each treatment is about 1.2 million VND, including medical supplies such as needles, tubes, and filtered solutions. Despite having insurance support, the total monthly cost still exceeds 10 million VND, which becomes a significant burden for his family.
The concern of a husband
Mr. Quyen got married at the age of 33. Before that, he thought no one would accept being attached to a person with a long-term illness like him.
But a big turning point came to him, even he couldn't believe it. "Before, I thought no one would dare to marry a sick person. But I met my wife at the age of 33... Only then did I feel so lucky," he shared.
However, that happiness comes with silent pressures. As his health declines, he is no longer able to work to shoulder the family economy. The pillar role, which is considered the responsibility of a man, gradually leaves his role, shifting to his wife.
“Previously, I worked as a freelancer, I went to get haircuts, help people. But now my health has weakened a lot, I have no strength to work anymore. There were times when I burst into tears. As a man who cannot take care of his wife and children, I feel like I have become a burden,” he said.
For him, the pain is not only in illness, but also in the feeling of helplessness when he cannot fulfill the role of a husband.
The remorse of a father
Mr. Quyen has 2 children. The youngest child lives with his parents, while the eldest child has to be sent back to his hometown for his maternal grandparents to take care of.
In a small 18m2 rented room, where life was already difficult, raising both children became beyond the ability of the couple.
“The conditions here are too difficult, I can't afford to raise two children, so I have to send my eldest grandchild back to my hometown,” he said.
Behind that decision is the heartache of a father when he cannot be with his child, cannot take care of and follow every step of his child's growth with his own hands. Short calls became the only way for him to keep in touch with his child far away.
Not only that, holidays and Tet, times when many families gather, are something he must consider. "The family rarely returns to their hometown, which is both costly and unhealthy," Mr. Quyen shared.
He did not hide the fact that he had shed tears many times, not because of physical pain, but because of the feeling of helplessness when he could not bring his wife and children a full life.
A man must be the pillar. But I can't do that," he said in a low voice.
However, in the most difficult days, he never thought about giving up. For him, his children are the motivation to continue living and trying every day. "I still have children, so I have to try because I consider my children as the motivation to live," he affirmed.
He always reminds himself that even if he is sick, he must always live positively. "I am lucky to meet my wife, even luckier to have two healthy children. Even if I am sick myself, I will not think too negatively.
For him, having enough health every day to enter the dialysis room, to return to his small rented room and see his child grow up, is already a precious thing.
I don't allow myself to stop. Not for myself, but for my responsibility to my family.
