Clinging to a fragile life...

The house of Ms. Do Thi Kim Lot (residing in Muong Khai hamlet, Moc Hoa commune, Tay Ninh province) nestles beside the Vam Co Tay river, giving the impression that the family members are enjoying a peaceful life. But in reality, a "battle" on the line between life and death is unfolding every hour, every minute...!

All day, Ms. Do Thi Kim Lot (residing in Muong Khai hamlet, Moc Hoa commune) cannot take off her oxygen mask.

Upon entering, a heavy, gloomy atmosphere enveloped the small house. Three oxygen tanks sat beside the bed, and Mrs. Kim Lot held onto the oxygen mask, struggling to breathe. Her son, Bui Tuan Canh, explained that for about six months, she had been completely dependent on the oxygen tanks, unable to take them off for even a minute, including eating. Life had become incredibly inconvenient as a result.

The sounds emanating from the oxygen tank were very faint, very fragile, yet they cut into the hearts of her loved ones, inflicting a deep and haunting pain… The stream of oxygen, like a thin thread, had kept Kim Lot alive for months.

According to Anh Tuan Canh, around the end of 2023, after several episodes of prolonged fever and shortness of breath, Mrs. Lot went for a medical examination and was diagnosed with severe pneumonia. The treatment was prolonged, and just when it seemed she had recovered, her health deteriorated, and the disease relapsed. This time, she was diagnosed with pulmonary edema and pulmonary edema…

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After more than two months in the hospital, the family requested to take her home because they could no longer afford treatment. "Every day my mother needs 3-5 oxygen tanks depending on her health condition, plus medication costs, totaling over 1 million dong. Initially, we could borrow money, but now it's becoming increasingly difficult," said Tuan Canh sadly.

Life, already difficult, became even harder when Mr. Canh broke his leg while working as a hired laborer carrying rice. For over half a month, his leg was in a cast, and he could only stay at home. With no source of income, the family had to rely on the kindness and support of those around them.

Ms. Truong Thi Tuyet Nga, Chairwoman of the Moc Hoa Commune Red Cross Society, said: “With the spirit of 'mutual support,' the Society mobilized households in the commune to donate money and rice to support Ms. Lot's family. However, that help is only partial while Canh is unable to work. We hope her leg heals quickly so she can return to work, earn money to care for her parents, and especially have money to buy oxygen every day.”

With an unstable family life, Mr. Tuan (Mrs. Lot's husband) struggled within his physical limits. The patches of water hyacinth on the river became a source of livelihood he could rely on. However, he didn't dare swim far or overexert himself for fear that his asthma might suddenly flare up and cause him to collapse.

Besides chronic pneumonia, Mr. Tuan also suffers from diabetes, kidney disease, and other illnesses. His medication is becoming increasingly infrequent because he fears burdening his children. Mr. Tuan says that if he had the means to treat his own illness, he would give the money to his wife. Every night, listening to his wife's coughing fits and the wheezing in her breath, he feels heartbroken…

When life seems to reach a dead end, the sharing and support of those around them becomes a lifeline, giving those suffering from illness and hardship, like Mrs. Do Thi Kim Lot, more faith and motivation to overcome difficulties.