These days, at the Stroke Department - Hue Central Hospital, Mr. Do Van Minh (born in 1971, residing on Ung Binh street, Vy Da ward, Hue city) is lying motionless on his hospital bed, almost unconscious, sometimes awake, sometimes in a coma. Next to him is his wife who is also sick, silently taking care of her husband...
Mr. Minh was diagnosed by doctors with brain damage, cerebral degeneration, epilepsy, fatty liver and many other complex complications. After a recurrence of the stroke, he no longer has a clear awareness. Every day that passes for his family is a constant worry about his life.
Before getting sick, Mr. Minh was the main breadwinner of the family, working as a construction worker, earning about 350,000 VND/day. That meager amount of money is not only for living expenses but also a source to pay for medicine for his wife - Mrs. Tran Thi Kim Chau (born in 1975), who suffered a stroke a few years ago, paralyzed in the left half of her body and had to undergo regular rehabilitation treatment.
The tragedy began about two years ago, when Mr. Minh suffered a mild stroke and was diagnosed with epilepsy. Doctors requested long-term drug treatment, but due to difficult circumstances, he had to give up treatment. "Medicines are too expensive, the family has no money to cover the cost of medicine, so he endures it, still goes to work to earn money to support his family," Ms. Chau said choked with emotion.
About 20 days ago, after a day of working in the scorching sun, Mr. Minh had convulsions, fell and hit his head on the ground and was taken to the emergency room. Since then, he has fallen into critical condition and has been continuously treated at Hue Central Hospital.
The treatment cost for Mr. Minh is up to 20 million VND per month - a number far exceeding the ability of the already difficult family. The house where Mr. Minh's family is living is a charity house supported by the State, without valuable assets.
Mr. Minh's family has two sons. The eldest son is Mr. Do Van Quy (born in 1994), working as a construction worker with an income of about 5 million VND/month. Mr. Quy's wife, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ty (born in 1997), helps sell clothes, with an income of about 3.5 million VND/month. The youngest son works far away, occasionally sending money back, but it is not significant.
Currently, all family living expenses and treatment for Mr. Minh depend on the meager income of Mr. and Mrs. Quy. Meanwhile, Mrs. Chau - despite having a stroke and difficulty walking - still has to stay at the hospital to take care of her husband. Her faltering steps in the hospital corridor make anyone who witnesses it feel heartbroken.
There are days when I am too tired but still have to try to take care of him. Now I don't know what to cling to...", Ms. Chau choked up sharing.
Meanwhile, at home, Mr. and Mrs. Quy have to both work and take care of young children, life is difficult. The money earned is not enough to cover hospital fees, causing the family to fall into a deadlock.
My father's monthly hospital fees are too high, while my husband and I's income is only enough to cover the minimum living expenses. Seeing my father in the hospital, my mother sick, I am helpless, not knowing how to manage. I just hope for more help so that my father has the opportunity to continue treatment," Mr. Quy said sadly.
Up to now, Mr. Minh's family is almost exhausted, no longer able to pay and is considering asking to bring him home. That decision is not only pain, but also helplessness when standing at the boundary of life and death of a loved one...
Mr. Tran Minh Dang, Team Leader of Group 13, Vy Da Ward, Hue City, said that Mr. Do Van Minh's family is one of the households in particularly difficult circumstances in the locality. For many years, the family's life has mainly relied on Mr. Minh's general labor income, but since he became seriously ill, while his wife also suffered a stroke, the economy has almost fallen into a deadlock.
The family's situation is very pitiful, both husband and wife are sick, income is unstable, and treatment costs are too high. We really hope philanthropists and benefactors will pay attention and join hands to help the family have more conditions to treat the disease and overcome this difficult period," Mr. Dang shared.
All help for life situation LD26011 please send to Tam Long Vang Charity Social Fund - 51 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Account number (STK) 113000000758 at Vietinbank Hoan Kiem Branch, Hanoi; Account number: 0021000303088 - at Vietcombank Hanoi Branch; Account number: 12410001122556 - at BIDV Hoan Kiem Branch
