In the crowded neurology room of Children's Hospital 2, Ms. Nguyen Thi My Chi (born in 1979, Dong Thap) quietly hugged her young daughter N.N.A. D (born in 2023). The baby is over 2 years old, thin, occasionally has mild convulsions. Next to her child, the mother is also fighting against metastasized cancer, but still trying to persevere every day to continue her journey of treating her child.
Baby N.N.A. D was born on May 22, 2023 in a special circumstance. According to Ms. Chi, her pregnancy lasted more than three weeks after birth, but she showed no signs of labor. When she saw heavy bleeding, she rushed to the hospital. At that time, everything was too late. The baby was born suffocated, lacked brain oxygen, leading to encephalitis and had to be transferred to another hospital immediately after birth.
Just after giving birth, the baby could not breastfeed, the doctor transferred him to a higher level. Since then, the baby has been treated all the time," Ms. Chi recounted, her voice choked up.
At the time of giving birth, Ms. Chi almost had no money. During pregnancy, she could not go to work, the baby's father had an accident, lost his ability to work and then left. She struggled alone, borrowing everywhere to pay for her child's hospital fees.
When the baby was just born, due to being diagnosed with the disease, she was transferred to another hospital for treatment, the hospital fee was nearly one hundred million VND. Insurance covered more than 50 million VND, and the rest I borrowed, even borrowed at high interest rates to pay for the baby," she recalled.
After being discharged from the hospital, the baby had to be re-examined every month. But just a few months later, the baby's health condition worsened, and he was often hospitalized. Since then, the journey to the hospital for the mother and child has almost never stopped.
The tragedy did not stop there. When her child was not yet 1 year old, Ms. Chi discovered she had cancer. After a year of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the disease temporarily stabilized. But just a few months later, she began to experience severe pain. Examination results showed that the cancer had metastasized to the bones and lungs.
Sometimes it hurts too much, I lie in one place unable to breathe. But thinking about my child, I have to get up," Ms. Chi said.
Biological treatment drugs cost more than 10 million VND each time, exceeding her ability. Not meeting the conditions, she was forced to switch to regular drugs, although the doctor said the effectiveness was not high.
Currently, Ms. Chi is almost unable to work. Her maternal grandfather is over 80 years old, the family has many siblings but everyone is in difficulty. Debts piled up, but what she is most worried about is still the future of her young daughter.
I just hope I still have the strength to take my child for examination and treatment. I am most afraid that I am gone, who will my child rely on," Ms. Chi said, her eyes red.
Mr. Ngo Van Tam - Head of Hamlet 5, Gia Thuan commune, Dong Thap province said that currently Ms. My Chi's family is on the list of near-poor households, because the two mothers and daughters are often sick, and all daily activities are still difficult. Every month, local authorities also support near-poor families. At the same time, encourage the two mothers and daughters to be steadfast in their minds to continue treatment.
In the hospital corridor, the thin mother still hugged her child tightly. Despite being surrounded by illness, despite the uncertain future, Ms. Chi still steadfastly continued. Because for her, just one day with her child is enough motivation to continue fighting.
All help for life situation LD26081, 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.
