In Thanh Binh village, Thanh Quan commune (Thanh Hoa province), Ms. Luong Thi Tuyet (born in 2004) is living with her biological parents and taking care of her son, baby Luong Hoang Gia Huy (born in 2025).
Ms. Tuyet said that the happiness of being a mother was not yet complete when she had to face the shock when her son had neuroblastoma cancer, which had metastasized.
In the early days of birth, Gia Huy often cried all day and night. The baby had loose, mucous stools, 6-7 times a day. When Gia Huy was about 2 months old, after one vaccination, the baby's condition suddenly became serious. The baby cried continuously, and at night she screamed, turned purple, and had a swollen stomach. Panicked, Ms. Tuyet checked and discovered that the baby's groin area was swollen.
Ms. Tuyet and her child lived with her maternal grandparents in difficult circumstances. Wanting to take her child to the hospital but having no money, she and her family had to run around borrowing money... After being examined and ultraseded, doctors discovered that in addition to the inguinal hernia, Gia Huy also had liver damage. Gia Huy was then transferred to Thanh Hoa Provincial Children's Hospital. Here, through ultrasound and tests, doctors discovered an abnormal mass in the abdominal cavity, suspected neuroblastoma - a type of cancer that often appears in young children. The family was instructed to transfer the baby to the National Children's Hospital in Hanoi for further examination and treatment.
Ms. Tuyet took her child to Hanoi, accompanied by her biological mother. At the National Children's Hospital, Gia Huy had to undergo many tests, X-rays, spinal taps and anesthesia procedures to accurately determine the condition. In the end, the baby was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and the disease had metastasized. For a child who is too young, blood collection, spinal taps or tests make the mother feel heartbroken.
“I just hope to be able to endure the pain for my child. The times my child struggled because of bone marrow punctures, I could only helplessly watch my child cry in my arms. My child is too young, I feel so sorry for her...", Ms. Tuyet said with tears in her eyes.
Since becoming pregnant, Ms. Tuyet's life has almost revolved around the hospital. As a single mother, she cannot work to earn income. The family is in a mountainous area, the economy is difficult, so every time she takes her child to the hospital, she has to calculate money for food, travel expenses and expenses outside the insurance list.
According to Ms. Tuyet, Gia Huy is entitled to 100% health insurance, helping the family reduce some burden. However, the unpaid insurance, especially the costs of testing, travel and living during long days at the hospital, are still a great pressure. For the first time taking her child to the National Children's Hospital, the family had to spend about 14 million VND on gene testing along with imaging and other service costs. That amount of money is very large for a difficult family.
At the age of 22, instead of starting a new life, the young mother must learn to be strong in the days full of anxiety. Beside Ms. Tuyet at this time are her elderly parents in the countryside and relatives joining hands to support as much as possible. Gia Huy's treatment path ahead is still long. The boy is still too young, while the disease has progressed severely. For Ms. Tuyet, the wish at this time is nothing great, just that her child can continue treatment, reduce pain and have more opportunities to grow up like other children.
All support and sharing from philanthropists at this time will be a valuable source of encouragement, helping Ms. Luong Thi Tuyet have more conditions to continue her journey to treat baby Luong Hoang Gia Huy.
All help for life situation LD26211 please send to Tam Long Vang Charity Social Fund - 51 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem Ward, 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.
