Ms. Nguyen Bich Lien (70 years old, An Hoi Tay ward, Ho Chi Minh City) called her journey against cancer "a miracle". A physical therapist, she understands the disease well but is still shocked when she is diagnosed with terminal colon cancer with a short life expectancy. At that time, I thought everything was collapsing, but I refused to surrender, said Ms. Lien.
Ms. Lien said that the important factor that helped her overcome was her belief in traditional medicine, systematic gentle care and a network of "comrades", family, friends and support groups. Thanks to treatment at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital and maintaining an optimistic spirit, she has lived for many more years and considered each time frame as a precious "gift".
She emphasized the importance of accurate information: avoid rumors of drugs of unknown origin, listen to professionals and join groups to share experiences. For her, gentle care not only reduces symptoms but also reignites her will to live.
According to Dr. Nguyen Duy Manh, Department of Reliever Care, Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, many patients still think that gentle care means the final stage, so it is easy to panic when hearing this term. However, he affirmed that this is a misconception. Mild care is comprehensive care and intervention from the time the patient is diagnosed, not waiting until the end of life, the doctor explained.
At Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, patients are supported in parallel with main treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy. Mild care focuses on four groups of problems: symptom control, psychological stabilization, social support and mental companionship. Dr. Manh said that most patients immediately upon receiving the cancer news fell into anxiety, even depression. Early intervention helps them overcome painful stages and avoid falling into depression.
This care model is not only for people with cancer but also for other chronic patients such as heart failure, COPD... "Mild care is to help patients live better, more gently, and go through a solid treatment journey with their family", Dr. Duy Manh shared.
Doctor Nguyen Thi Thuy Vy - Hospice Spring Medical Center (a non-profit organization specializing in free gentle care nationwide), said that most cancer patients fall into a psychological crisis right from the time of diagnosis. They experience many emotional stages such as anxiety, sadness, and even withdrawal because they are afraid of putting more pressure on their loved ones.
According to Dr. Vy, the task of a psychologist is not only to listen but also to help patients identify their emotions and find ways to express them safely. Activities such as one-on-one therapy, group activities, sharing between patients in the same situation... help them not feel lonely and avoid falling into depression.
A common difficulty is that both patients and their families want to "hide their true emotions" to protect each other. At that time, we became a bridge, Dr. Vy shared. Mids will chat separately with each side, helping them understand each other better and encouraging simple connection moments such as eating together, chatting together every day.
Length is a way to Reenervate emotions. Only when they understand each other, can they accompany and love each other completely in their treatment journey, said Dr. Vy.
