Huong, 47, appeared as a guest on the TV program ‘Accompanying K warriors’ at Cho Ray Hospital several days ago. Relating her story, the woman, full of positive energy, inspried not only patients undergoing treatment, but also healthy people.

Before discovering the life-threatening disease, Huong was considered a lucky woman as she had a stable job and a happy family. She liked playing sports, felt healthy, and was always energetic. 

But in December 2023, she was informed that she had breast cancer.

“At that moment, I panicked, and was anxious and I cried a lot. I felt worried that I would have to spend big money to treat the disease, that my life would be upset. And I also felt worried that the side effects during treatment would make me weaker and uglier,” she recalled.

However, she managed to overcome the crisis period. She learned to accept the reality and decided that she needed to use positive energy to struggle with the disease.

On the first days at hospital, she got up every day, opened the windows, took a deep breath and listened to the chirping of a sparrow. 

Huong said that when hospitalized, she always brings a pair of sports shoes. She jogged from the seventh floor to the first floor of the hospital. Inspired by Huong, other patients joined her team.

After Lunar New Year 2024, she received her first round of chemotherapy. She felt very tired, was nauseous and lost her sense of taste. However, she still tried to do housework and take care or her family. 

“Three days after chemotherapy, I could run 5 kilometers. One week later, I participated in a 21 kilometer race. To date, I have had six chemotherapy sessions and have participated in 11 races in many provinces and cities. Sports have brought miraculous strength,” she said.

Huong was worried she would become unattractive but optimism helped her overcome the fear.

Before getting chemotherapy, instead of seeing her hair fall out due from the side effects of the drugs, Huong took the initiative to shave her head. 

“I often go out, go to café and participate in races with my bare head. Sometimes I wear a headband. I believe that the beauty of being full of energy can attract other people,” she said.

Khanh Hoa