The difficult situation of a sick couple in Van To (Tu Ky)

While being treated at Hai Duong General Hospital, Mr. Dong is struggling to endure the pain caused by his illness while constantly thinking about his young children at home. Once the economic pillar of his family, he now has to rely on those around him. His family's life has become even more miserable since his wife recently contracted late-stage cervical cancer.

Mr. Dong said that in 2006, he married Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien and they had two children, a boy and a girl. Although the couple's income at that time was not high, life was peaceful. He and his wife worked as workers at a leather shoe company near their home, and their monthly salary was enough for the family of four to have a stable life. Unfortunately, in 2017, after severe pain, swollen and red feet, Mr. Dong went to the doctor and discovered he had gout.

After many years of treatment, his gout has become increasingly severe. His leg joints have gradually become stiff, making it difficult to walk, his limbs are swollen, and he cannot grasp anything. Recently, after a check-up at Bach Mai Hospital, doctors said that his disease has affected his glomeruli, leading to kidney failure. In early May 2024, he had to have a toe amputated due to gout. In the coming days, Mr. Dong may have to continue surgery in other locations.

Her husband's illness had not yet been cured. At the end of 2023, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien discovered that she had cervical cancer and that the disease had metastasized. One misfortune after another befell their small home. Since the discovery of the disease, Ms. Hien had to be hospitalized for chemotherapy. The chemotherapy sessions made the once healthy woman become haggard and dark. The side effects of the drugs made her hair fall out and her hands unable to do anything.

Because both parents take turns taking care of each other when going to the hospital, their two children, Dang Hoang Tien, born in 2007 and Dang Ngoc Anh, born in 2009, are not as well-off as their friends. The older brother guides the younger brother in his studies and helps his parents with housework. Most of the family work is done by the help of his uncles and aunts. When asked, Tien said: "I love my parents very much, I just hope they recover soon and come back to us soon."

Many family members are sick and ill, and Dong and Hien's family have no one to rely on. The family is facing huge hospital bills, and the loan is quickly running out. Even with insurance support, the treatment for the couple is still expensive because they have to use many drugs that are not on the list. Hien tearfully shared: "Many times I thought, I wanted to give up and not treat anymore. I will live at home as long as I can, but thinking about my husband and children, I can't bear it. In the past, everyone only looked to me as the breadwinner, now lying in one place like this is an additional burden. My child is still too young, I can't bear to close my eyes."

Mr. Nguyen Van Thu, Chairman of the Red Cross Society of Van To Commune (Tu Ky) confirmed that Dong and Hien's family are among the poorest in the locality. The whole family is sick, and Hien has just been diagnosed with cancer. Mr. Thu hopes that the community will join hands to support the family to have the conditions to treat their illness.

Any help please send to Mr. Dang Van Dong, in La Giang village, Van To commune, Tu Ky district; phone number 0984365099. Or transfer to Tu Ky district Red Cross Association via account number 2312201001930 - Agricultural Bank and Rural Development (Agribank) Tu Ky branch.