The girl has been battling a life-threatening illness for 13 years.

(Baonghean) - More than 13 years have passed, and Thuy, with her small frame weighing less than 40 kg, continues to bravely battle various illnesses, the most terrifying being stage 4 kidney failure. Many times, Thuy has teetered between life and death. But life continues to hold her back, perhaps because her desire to live is so strong, and the love of her family has helped her remain optimistic and live each moment meaningfully.

The 29-year-old woman's favorite job is cooking delicious meals for her family.

Nguyen Thu Thuy was born and raised in a farming family in Xuan Dong hamlet, Nghi Duc commune (Vinh city). Thuy is gentle and hardworking. Her father is a retired commune official; her mother is a diligent woman who toils year-round for the family. Thuy's life would have continued like everyone else's until a series of terrible diseases began to plague her.

During her tenth grade year, Thuy's body suddenly became fatigued and she suffered from constant illness. Her father took her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with severe anemia. The family's search for a blood donor became more urgent than ever. Her father and older brother were the first to join this "battle." Villagers, out of compassion, rushed to try and donate blood to Thuy. Strangely, no matter how much blood Thuy received, it was like a drop in the ocean.

The family decided to take Thuy to Hanoi for examination. At Military Hospital 103, despite all the tests, the doctors were still unable to diagnose Thuy's illness. She stayed in the hospital waiting, witnessing her father's heartbreaking grief. Back then, Thuy didn't have health insurance, and the cost of medicine and living expenses exceeded 2 million dong per day. Thuy's family sold all their possessions and borrowed money from everywhere to pay for their daughter's treatment.

Tragically, Thuy was sent home from the hospital. Everyone kept it a secret from her, so she didn't know she was... about to die. But a miracle happened; Thuy narrowly escaped death. Her uncle, a doctor, used his skills along with other doctors to give her one last diagnosis. Fortunately, luck smiled upon her; the results showed Thuy had hemolytic anemia and lupus erythematosus. She received long-term treatment at the hospital, and when her condition improved somewhat, she was allowed to go home for outpatient treatment. Every month, Thuy regularly went to Hanoi with her father or brother for check-ups and to get medication.

Everyone thought Thuy had escaped death. In reality, she continued to suffer from excruciating pain in the following days. Upon further examination, the doctor advised that Thuy needed her spleen removed to end her hemolytic anemia and lupus erythematosus. Thuy underwent surgery to remove her spleen. After the surgery, she developed an infection leading to an abscess, and her frail body once again required surgical intervention. After many days of intensive treatment, Thuy recovered. Receiving a negative test result, Thuy and her father embraced and wept. However, shortly afterward, her family was heartbroken to learn that their daughter had developed kidney complications from lupus erythematosus.

“I was diagnosed with kidney failure at the age of 25, and since then I've spent more time in the hospital than at home because my kidney disease is at stage 4, no longer functioning normally. My life has been tied to the dialysis machine,” Thuy confided. For Thuy, the surgeries to remove kidney stones in her arm for dialysis were incredibly painful. After four years, Thuy's arm is covered with kidney stones the size of chicken eggs. The constant illness has reduced the weight of the girl, who once weighed over 40kg, to just 36kg. Her already small frame has become even more emaciated, and her eyes are bulging.

Every morning upon waking, she has to take countless medications. As a result, her blood pressure skyrockets, her health deteriorates daily, and she suffers from severe anemia. Four times a week, Thuy goes to the Provincial General Hospital for dialysis. In the beginning, Thuy was discouraged and gave up on everything, knowing she wouldn't survive, or that her life would only be a burden to everyone. But after two years, thanks to regular dialysis, good care from her family, a strict diet, and comfort from many friends, Thuy's spirits have stabilized. She still has the support of her loved ones. This strength has given Thuy the motivation to live optimistically and cherish every moment.

The 29-year-old woman's favorite job is cooking delicious meals for her family.

Now 29 years old, Thuy is entering her fourth year "living" with a dialysis machine, and it's also been 13 years since she went through many life-threatening illnesses. Thuy only connects with the dialysis machine three times a week. Normally, she goes to the hospital alone. Only when the weather changes does she ask relatives to drive her. After more than four hours of dialysis, Thuy returns to her family home. "Deep down, I always tell myself that my family has sacrificed so much for me, so I must live my life meaningfully and bring joy to everyone," Thuy shared.

Thuy's long-held dream was to become a nurse. However, her health prevented her from achieving that dream. Despite this, Thuy remained determined, devoting all her energy to completing her basic medical training. She diligently performed small tasks for her uncle's clinic, such as typing and recording patient records. Though not demanding jobs, these small tasks brought Thuy great joy and served as a springboard, helping her to face life's challenges with greater strength.

Now, in her free time, Thuy sells goods online. She makes various kinds of pastries, green tea powder, turmeric powder, etc., by hand to serve people's needs. On days when she doesn't have dialysis or work at the clinic, if her health is good, Thuy still delivers goods to customers. Although everyone in her family just wants their daughter to rest, Thuy is determined to do what she can. Thuy wants to earn a little income so that life is not meaningless. She also hopes to live each remaining day happily and well. That is also her way of thanking life and her loved ones.

Tian Tian