LD26092 - Widow mother bears the burden of raising son fighting hemophilia

In Thanh Thuy Chanh residential group, Thanh Thuy ward (Hue City), the life of Ms. Bui Thi Hien (born in 1974) in recent years has been associated with hospitals and constant worries for her youngest son - grandson Nguyen Quang Loc Tai (born in 2008).

Born healthy like any other child, but when he was only 9 months old, Tai began to show abnormal signs. Bleeding gums and mouth bleeding occurred continuously, especially at night. Taking her child to the Hue Central Hospital for examination, Ms. Hien was stunned when she was diagnosed with hemophilia - a rare hemophilia.

Since then, Tai's childhood journey has been almost closely linked to the hospital bed. Each month, he has to go to the hospital for treatment for about 10 days, at times when he is seriously ill, he has to stay in the hospital for a whole month for blood transfusions... Since the disease was discovered, Tai's time at the hospital has been more than at home.

In recent years, Tai's illness no longer manifests through excessive oral bleeding as before, but has shifted to bleeding in the joints. Knee pain and leg pain make his legs swollen and bruised, and many times he has to lie motionless. When he is better, he can only move in a wheelchair.

There are days when my child is too sick and just lies in one place, looking at my child, I can't hold back my tears...", Ms. Hien said sadly.

Despite being plagued by illness, Tai still always tries to study. He is currently a 12th grade student, and has been a good student for many consecutive years. In recent years, due to frequent treatment, his academic results have declined, but he still bravely fights, maintains his optimistic spirit and will to rise up.

Not only Tai, upheavals also rushed to the family when Ms. Hien's husband - Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hoi (born in 1976) - passed away in July 2024 after fighting cancer. Before that, Mr. Hoi was a construction worker, earning about 6 million VND/month. When he fell ill, all the burden fell on Ms. Hien's shoulders.

Since my husband passed away, I have been both a mother and a father. I just hope to have the health to take care of my children...", Ms. Hien choked up sharing.

Currently, Ms. Hien works as a freelancer, doing whatever she is hired to do, with an income of about 3 million VND/month. She herself also suffers from many diseases such as kidney stones and bone and joint diseases, but does not dare to rest because she still has to take care of her children.

Ms. Hien's family has 3 children. The eldest daughter Nguyen Thi Thuy Ngan (born in 1995) works as a worker, earning about 4 million VND/month. The second son Nguyen Quang Phu (born in 1999), does not have a stable job. Previously, Phu suffered from thrombocytopenic dengue fever, fortunately overcoming the danger but his health is still not really stable.

Tai's treatment cost is about 3 million VND per month, not including severe treatment courses requiring prolonged blood transfusions. The family currently receives a social allowance of 750,000 VND/month - a very small amount compared to living and medical expenses.

In the simple house, the mother still rushes to make a living every day, then goes back to the hospital to take care of her child. Life keeps repeating itself between hospital trips and simple meals. Tai's journey ahead is still very long, when the disease forces him to be treated for life. Meanwhile, the mother is almost exhausted after years of struggling...

Talking to a reporter of Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Dang Van Cu - representative of Thanh Thuy Chanh village, Thanh Thuy ward, Hue city said that Ms. Hien's family is in particularly difficult circumstances in the locality.

Her husband died early, her child is seriously ill for a long time, and the economy is unstable, so Ms. Hien's family life is very difficult. We hope to receive attention and support from the community so that the family can have more conditions to overcome difficulties," Mr. Cu shared.