Seeing her son regaining strength and returning to school, Nguyen Thi Mui, 36, feels renewed hope and motivation after a challenging period of seeking treatment for him. There were times when Thuong was exhausted and lethargic from the side effects of chemotherapy, but after months of perseverance, his health has stabilized, and his physical condition has improved.

Thuong's illness began in 2/2023 with blood in his stool. Doctors at the National Children's Hospital discovered a cancerous kidney tumor and performed surgery to remove it. He was then transferred to K Central Hospital for specialized treatment.

Doctors prescribed various medications, but Thuong didn't respond to several of them, becoming increasingly weak, tired, pale, and losing weight significantly. The cost of medication continued to rise, some costing 4 million VND, others 8 million VND, placing an even greater strain on the family's already precarious finances.

Nguyen Dinh Thuong. Photo: Family provided

Nguyen Dinh Thuong. Photo: Family provided

Doctors advised switching to chemotherapy and emphasized the urgency of treatment. "But my family didn't have the money," Mui recalls tearfully, remembering the moment she sat outside his hospital room, holding her head in one hand and comforting her son with the other, "Just try, my son. I'll find a way to save you." Thuong understood and didn't cry, simply holding his mother's hand.

One chemotherapy session cost around 60 million VND, not including medication, travel, and food expenses, an insurmountable amount for a poor family like Mui's. Her husband, a factory worker, earned 5-6 million VND a month. Since Thuong's diagnosis, Mui stayed home to care for him, her elderly mother, and Thuong's three younger siblings. With their finances depleted, they had no choice but to discharge Thuong in 12/2023, heartbroken and helpless. His health deteriorated, and they waited for a miracle.

Hope arrived when they least expected it. In 4/2024, a doctor called, asking the family to bring Thuong back for treatment, promising to find a way to support them "as much as possible." Overjoyed, Mui immediately packed their belongings, and the two traveled to Hanoi.

Thuong was fortunate to receive financial assistance from the Sun of Hope program (Hope Foundation - VnExpress) to prevent the cancer from spreading. He received chemotherapy every 20 days. Throughout the treatment, Thuong lost his hair and became frail but never complained. Occasionally, he would touch his head and ask his mother, "When will my hair grow back?" She would reassure him, "It will grow back when you're better." He also eagerly awaited his discharge, asking the doctor each visit, "Am I almost well enough to go home and back to school?"

Now, after nearly a year of chemotherapy, Thuong's health is gradually recovering. He is stronger and able to attend school again. Doctors say that after completing the 36 chemotherapy sessions, his health is likely to stabilize, and he will require monthly check-ups for evaluation.

Mui and Thuong during his treatment. Photo: Family provided

Mui and Thuong during his treatment. Photo: Family provided

Kidney cancer occurs when malignant cells form in the kidneys. Common symptoms include lower back pain, blood in the urine, anemia, fatigue, weight loss, and loss of appetite. If the malignant tumor spreads to other parts of the body, additional symptoms may appear.

In the early stages, symptoms are often minimal. Approximately 30% of patients are diagnosed incidentally through abdominal ultrasounds during routine check-ups. 25% are diagnosed after experiencing blood in their urine and lower back pain. In later stages, patients often seek medical attention due to an enlarged abdomen caused by the tumor pressing on nearby organs.

Kidney cancer is a common urinary tract malignancy, with over 2,200 new cases and over 1,100 deaths annually in Vietnam, according to 2022 Globocan statistics. Currently, there are no recommended screening tests for those at risk, so the disease is often discovered incidentally during routine health check-ups or for other reasons.

Doctors recommend annual health check-ups and advise seeking immediate medical attention for symptoms such as blood in the urine, urinary disorders, pain or lumps in the flank, weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, or fever.

With the aim of inspiring hope for children with cancer, the Hope Foundation, in collaboration with the Mr. Sun program, launched the Sun of Hope program. Every contribution from the community brings a ray of hope to the future generation of the country.

Readers can find information about the program here:

Program Name: Ten cua ban - Mat Troi Hy Vong

Program ID: 195961

Thuy Quynh