Tran's story has inspired many seriously ill patients and others who have experienced kidney failure.

VietNamNet reporters met Tran Hoang Bich Cam, born in 1969, and her two children in late November, when Cam returned home from a parent-teacher meeting. Her elder daughter Pham Tran Le Tran was born in 2007.

Cam had her first child at the age of 38. One year later, she had a son, Pham Tran Le Trieu. Her husband suffered from stomach cancer and meningitis, so she had to become the major breadwinner of the family. 

In August 2018, after a long period of fatigue, Tran was diagnosed with end-stage chronic kidney failure. Later, Cam was shocked to learn that her son also had chronic kidney failure.

In the first three years, Tran had to undergo peritoneal dialysis and periodic monthly medical examinations. Later, she underwent hemodialysis, while Trieu continued treatment with medicine.

In 2021, Tran had to be hospitalized as her condition grew worse. The thin and weak girl had to undergo terrible pains, but hoped that she could get well again to return to school.

However, at that time, hope seemed to be very slim. 

Cam said her daughter was added to the list of patients awaiting donated organs for organ transplantation.

For the patients who have to have dialysis, their conditions may change unexpectedly. Patients with normal indicators may suddenly contract anemia and suffer from high blood pressure

So, the only thing Cam could do was waiting and praying that he daughter would have a chance to continue her life.

Happiness returns

In January 2023, Le Tran turned 16 years old. Cam registered her daughter for hemodialysis at Cho Ray Hospital in HCM City, from which a new opportunity opened up.

“My daughter received transplant surgery just after a month at Cho Ray Hospital. When the dream became reality, I burst into tears of happiness,” she recalled.

On the afternoon of February 25, 2023, when she was getting a batch of lottery tickets to sell, she received a call from the Organ Transplant Coordination Unit at Cho Ray Hospital which said there was a kidney from a brain-dead donor and her daughter could have transplantation surgery.

In a rush, Cam immediately returned to her rented room and brought her daughter to the hospital. Tran was then drowsy as she had just undergone dialysis that morning.

“When my mom said I had to be hospitalized for kidney transplant, I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I realized that transplantation was carried out two days ago,” Tran recalled.

When regaining consciousness, Tran felt vitality in her body. It was difficult for a girl who was just in the fifth grade to describe the changes within her body, but her radiant face  showed immense happiness.

Tran’s dream of getting well again and returning to school came true. At the age of 17, she is a sixth grader.

Tran’s story has brought hope to many other patients who are waiting for donated organs one day in order recover from illness.

One of the ‘other patients’ is Le Trieu, Tran’s brother.

Dreaming again

Trieu was luckier than his elder sister as his kidney failure was discovered in early stage. He managed to live for many years before needing dialysis.

As her daughter's health got better, Cam planned to take her two children to the hometown in summer. Unfortunately, the plan failed as Le Trieu’s condition became worse last December.

“He fainted during the semester-end exam and was hospitalized. Doctors said he had to undergo dialysis immediately. So, the three of us continue to spend days at hospital,” Cam said.

Trieu is a thoughtful boy. He feels sorry for his mother who has to work hard to get money to be able to stay in Hanoi for the children's treatment. He knows that because of his illness, his mother cannot return to her hometown to visit the grandmother.

“For patients who have to undergo dialysis, their lives are attached to the hospital,” Cam said.

The woman now works hard day and at night to earn money for medical treatment. She needs at least VND8 million a month for medical services. 

And she once again dreams that her son will receive a donated kidney some day, so that he will also have a chance to live. 

Khanh Hoa