13 years of simple happiness
Mr. Nguyen Binh Thao (born in 1975) works as a construction worker, his job is precarious according to each project, with erratic sunshine and rain. His wife, Ms. Dam Thi Thu (born in 1977), used to work as a garment worker. The couple currently live in Thanh Lieu residential group (Tan Hung ward, Hai Phong city).
The couple married for 13 years before having their first son. That was a long time of waiting, hope and even tears. When their son was born, the small family seemed to be compensated after many years of waiting.
Mr. Thao worked diligently, Ms. Thu went to work as a garment worker, frugally taking care of her home, just hoping that her child would have a more fulfilling childhood than her parents before.
However, exactly 13 years after giving birth, disaster suddenly struck. Ms. Thu was diagnosed with end-stage lung cancer. The disease progressed rapidly, beyond the ability of a poor working family.
After a period of treatment, the hospital was forced to let her go home. Now, she lies on the bed, holding on to life every day, facing relentless pain, no one knows when the moment of separation will come.
Mr. Thao still has to go to work to have money to cover minimal living expenses and take care of his children. During the day, he confides his wife to his grandmother to look after her. In the evenings, returning after a long and tiring day, he sits by the hospital bed, holding his wife's hand, silently watching each weak breath.
Sitting next to his wife's hospital bed, Mr. Nguyen Binh Thao choked up and shared: "My wife used to be healthy, working with her husband, just hoping to take care of her children's education. Unexpectedly, when the children were just grown up, my wife became seriously ill like this. Now I just hope that my wife will be less painful every day, and have more time to be with the children, even if it's short.
I just need you to live longer
Their son is Nguyen Binh Loc, born in 2010, is of school age, and his soul is still immature in the face of great difficulties. All the burdens in the family now fall on Mr. Thao's shoulders, from living expenses, medicine, to his children's education.
In the small living room, Binh Loc sat quietly, with a sad face. Mentioning his mother, the boy was teary-eyed. Without flowery words, Binh Loc's wish was simple to the point of heartache: Just hope mother can live longer to be by my side, so that I can still call "mother" every day.
At the age when his peers were still carefree with books and games, Binh Loc had to learn to face the fear of losing his mother. That reluctant maturity made anyone who witnessed it feel sorry.
Confirming the family circumstances, Mr. Pham Van Khanh - Head of Thanh Lieu residential group (Tan Hung ward, Hai Phong city) - said that this is a difficult case in the area. Mr. Thao's family is a freelancer, with unstable income, while the cost of caring for seriously ill patients exceeds the family's ability.
According to Mr. Pham Van Khanh, in the past time, the residential group and surrounding people have regularly visited and encouraged Mr. Thao's family, but the support is only temporary.
The family circumstances are very difficult. We hope that organizations and philanthropists will pay attention and share so that the family has more conditions to overcome this difficult period" - Mr. Khanh said.
In the small house, the lives of 3 people are closely connected by affection and constant worry. The wife lies there, the husband is busy making a living, the son waits every day in anxiety. They do not expect anything great, just hope to have more time, more sharing to overcome the most harsh days of life.
All help for life situation LD26030, 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.
