Dieu Thuong (23, from Hanoi) has a pretty face and an optimistic spirit that inspires those around her. Few people know that she has endured a long battle against systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), along with multiple severe complications and several near-death moments.

SLE is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs throughout the body. The disease is more common in women and usually develops between the ages of 16 and 55.

While still in high school, Thuong began noticing unusual changes in her body. Her hair fell out heavily and red rashes appeared on her face, but she assumed they were simply teenage acne and did not seek medical attention.

Two years later, while studying online from home, her condition worsened significantly. The joints in her fingers became stiff, she could no longer lift her arms, and severe knee pain made walking difficult. Even the simplest daily activities became a challenge for the Hanoi student.

At the hospital, she was diagnosed with lupus. At the time, Thuong barely understood how dangerous the disease could be. What frightened her most was not the diagnosis itself, but seeing her mother burst into tears. At that moment, she realized the road ahead would not be easy.

The biggest crisis came in June 2023, when Thuong suffered an intestinal rupture and had to undergo emergency surgery, leaving her with a colostomy bag. Her weakened body struggled to heal, leading to a series of dangerous complications, the most severe being metabolic acidosis.

After surgery, she entered another long phase of treatment involving dialysis, coughing up blood and repeated hospitalizations. Her greatest fear was that her weakened immune system would leave her vulnerable to infection while her kidneys might never recover.

At one point, Thuong suffered partial paralysis and vision loss. But instead of panicking, she learned to face the situation calmly after doctors explained her prognosis.

“The greatest source of strength throughout that journey was my mother. The moment I nearly gave up came during the 12th month of living with a colostomy bag. My lung condition had not improved, medical costs kept rising, and my family had exhausted its finances,” she said. 

“I asked my mother: ‘Maybe I should stop treatment?’ We hugged each other and cried,” Thuong recalled.

Her mother gently replied: “You’ve made it this far already. You’re almost there. Just try a little harder.” Those words pulled Thuong back from her darkest days.

There was a period when she simultaneously faced kidney failure, heart failure, metabolic acidosis, low calcium levels, lung fungus infection and another scheduled surgery. Yet she never viewed it as a tragedy. To her, physical pain was simply another challenge. Having to pause her studies only made her feel she was starting later than her friends.

As long as I open my eyes today

Throughout the treatment process, her mother was always by Thuong's side. She practiced walking small steps with her daughter, caring for every meal. There were times when Thuong could not eat or drink, her mother tried to find the dishes she liked so her daughter would have more strength.

To Thuong, living to be with her mother and love her became the motivation. Every time she was tired due to disease complications, her mother whispered in Thuong's ear: “Try your best, child, Mother is here.” Although lying still, she realized there was always someone waiting for her to get well.

Once, Thuong had a circulatory arrest; when she woke up and saw her mother worrying, she smiled to reassure her mother and lived with the mindset: "As long as I open my eyes today."

After a long period of treatment, the encouragement of teachers and friends helped Thuong think about returning to school. 

Each day of hers starts from 6-7AM with medicine and breakfast. After that, Thuong does homework, rests, and goes to school if there is a schedule. In the afternoon, she does light exercise, helps her mother with housework, then spends time relaxing in the evening.

The treatment cost of the female patient is currently stable at about VND3-5 million per month. Though the disease might recur, Thuong chooses to live optimistically; as long as she lives fully today, as long as she lives, there is a chance.

Thanh Minh