Cao, a resident of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, documented his mother's rapid health decline, from a vibrant woman to her final moments. The video garnered over one million likes in just a few days.
Cao stated his mother had a persistent cough, fever, and fatigue, prompting her to travel to Hohhot, where he lives, for treatment. On 29/8, he filmed himself picking her up at the train station. Wearing her favorite red coat, she appeared healthy, in good spirits, and walked confidently.
Hospital tests revealed her lungs were inflamed. At that time, she was still self-sufficient, doing household chores like cleaning and laundry. However, her health rapidly deteriorated: she lost her appetite, became weak, and struggled even to get out of bed. Realizing their time was limited, Cao began filming his mother daily.
 |
Cao and his mother. *Photo: Sina*
On 6/9, she experienced difficulty breathing and body aches. As relatives stayed by her side in the hospital, she began to share her final wishes. Her condition worsened critically, leading to her transfer to a Beijing hospital and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).
Upon leaving the emergency room, Cao's mother expressed "no regrets about her life". She wished to be cremated and called Cao's mother-in-law to thank her for the unwavering support from their extended family. Respecting her wishes, the family decided to cease treatment and bring her home. Surrounded by her husband and children, she sat propped on her bed, personally selecting the clothes she would wear after her passing.
Cao's mother passed away on 11/9 at the age of 63 due to multiple organ failure caused by acute leukemia. The videos he filmed became invaluable keepsakes, preserving her final days. Cao stated the disease progressed too quickly for his family to react, expressing regret for their complacency and for seeking medical attention too late.
His mother's cough began during the Lunar New Year, but she did not seek medical attention until the severe cough caused sleepless nights. Doctors suspected leukemia when she was admitted to the intensive care unit, with a confirmed diagnosis only made after her passing.
What moved Cao was his mother's serene acceptance of her fate. He shared, "If life is not measured solely by its length, then my mother's life was truly complete. I filmed these images so that when she is gone, I will still have a way to remember the memories she left behind." Through his family's ordeal, he warned everyone not to overlook minor unusual health signs, as delays can lead to tragic consequences.
 |
On 29/8, Cao filmed himself picking up his mother at the train station. *Photo: Sina*
By Binh Minh (Sources: SCMP, The Paper, 163)
