Nearly a year after the life-and-death heart transplant, student Pham Quang Anh (Long Bien, Hanoi) returned to school with a steadier pace, brighter eyes and a great dream gradually taking shape. Every heartbeat in my chest today is not only a new rhythm of life, but also proof of the power of medicine, motherhood and silent hearts of kindness.
Three years of fighting illness
Few people know that behind Quang Anh's gentle smile is a long three-year journey associated with hospitals, machinery and sleepless nights waiting for miracles. In March 2022, when he was a healthy boy, weighing 50kg, he was suddenly diagnosed with dilated myocardial disease accompanied by blood clots - a disease that directly threatens his life.
The harsh warning from central-level doctors is still deeply imprinted in the mind of Ms. Thanh Phuong - her mother: "If there is no heart transplant in three months, she will not survive".
That moment almost knocked down the young mother. But fear quickly gave way to will: She must be strong to continue walking with her child.
The second home and silent "hearts
The mother and daughter came to Viet Duc Friendship Hospital - which became their second home for three long years. There, besides the harsh treatment regimens, there is the dedication of the team of doctors, nurses and even the smallest staff such as security guards and caregivers.
Those words of encouragement became a spiritual support to help the mother resiliently overcome each long and tiring day.
Three years of treatment were three years that Quang Anh repeatedly fell into acute heart failure. There were times when it seemed that his small body could not recover. The peak was near Christmas 2024, when the condition worsened, heart enzymes increased and the risk of death was imminent.
Miracle called organ donation
On February 17, 2025, after Tet, doctors prepared all worst-case scenarios. But then, a miracle happened: a suitable heart from a brain-dead donor appeared at the right time of birth and death.
The professional council decided not to wait any longer. The heart transplant was performed urgently – where a silent departure lit a new life for Quang Anh.
Behind that transplant is a whole network of love: dedicated doctors, school support, relatives helping and strange hearts willing to share.
Throughout her treatment journey, Ms. Thanh Phuong is not only a mother but also a vital support for her son. She borrowed money from the bank, worked part-time in all kinds of jobs: online sales, working in a clean vegetable company, painting walls for hire - just to have an additional 5-7 million VND per month to pay for medicine.
Even so, she still persistently stands on the podium, completing the task of a kindergarten teacher and also achieving the title of excellent teacher at the city level - proof of extraordinary willpower.
Returning to school and dreaming of a white blouse
Despite having to stay in the hospital for a long time, Quang Anh still maintained his excellent student record for 11 consecutive years. Teachers always create conditions for him not to be left behind.
The physical education teacher once encouraged him with a joke and truthful saying: "As long as you can walk up to the third floor yourself, I will let you pass the subject." Those words added strength for the little student to take steadier steps.
Today, nearly a year after the heart transplant, Quang Anh is healthy, eating and studying like his peers. He sets a goal to take the entrance exam to Hanoi Medical University, hoping one day to wear a white blouse to save other hearts waiting to be revived.
