Lunar New Year and the simple wish of dialysis patients

The hard days begin

The humble boarding houses called “dialysis village” near Hanoi-based Bach Mai General Hospital, the largest in Northern Vietnam, has for many years become the “second home” for more than 100 patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. Their lives revolve around dialysis sessions three times a week, making it impossible for them to leave their machines for long. As a result, their Tet is often spent within cramped rooms, with a modest meal and phone calls made to loved ones back home.

During the festive period, Nguyen Thi Oanh, 59, from Nam Sach district in Hai Duong province, stays in her tiny four-square-metre rented room in Alley 121 of Le Thanh Nghị street, copying Buddhist scriptures. Occasionally, she receives phone calls from her children and grandchildren back home who ask, “Mom, what did you eat today?” or “Grandma, do you miss me?”

Oanh has been undergoing dialysis at Bach Mai General Hospital for 17 years. Over time, she has spent more days at the hospital than at her home in Hai Duong.

“I was unfortunate to fall into this illness, and I must stay near the hospital rather than go home often. I always tell my children that we must all try our best to cope. On holidays, my daughter and son bring their children to visit me. Once Tet is over, if the weekend coincides with a dialysis-free day, I go home to see my grandchildren,” she recalls.

In 2009, she was diagnosed with glomerulonephritis, which later progressed to chronic kidney failure. Doctors therefore advised her to start dialysis immediately.

Upon moving to Hanoi, she rented a four-square-metre room to live, come back and forth for dialysis sessions, and spend time copying Buddhist scriptures, an activity which brings her peace and comfort.

For Oanh, Tet is just like any other day. Three times a week, she undergoes dialysis, and during the rest of the time she stays in her small room, copying scriptures and occasionally walking to keep her limbs active.

“As Tet approaches, we hold small gatherings, sometimes with savoury dishes, sometimes just fruit. Charity groups also come to visit, giving each patient a pair of Tet cake and other essential supplies. For dialysis patients like me, that is enough. In the new year, I only wish to continue speaking, walking, and having peace in my heart,” she stated.

A simple wish for better health

Nguyen Thi Trang, 36, from Giao Thuy district in Nam Dinh province, was diagnosed with lupus-induced hemolysis at the age of four. Her father passed away early, leaving her mother to raise three children alone.

For over a decade, her condition worsened, leading to kidney failure, heart failure, and severe damage to her internal organs.

“Due to severe heart failure, my heart now functions at only 2%. About 5 or 6 years ago, I had to undergo emergency dialysis, and for the past five years, I have been on regular dialysis,” said Trang.

Previously, she could walk to the hospital for her sessions. However, after a recent fall, she could no longer walk. Her mother, Pham Thi Thanh, was forced to move in two years ago to take care of her. Since arriving in the capital, Thanh has been unable to find work as Trang’s condition requires constant care.

“When Trang could still move around, I stayed in my hometown, working to support my other two children and cover Trang’s medical expenses. When she realized her condition was beyond saving, she sometimes wanted to return home. But as a mother, how could I give up on her?” Thanh said tearfully.

In previous years, Trang spent Tet alone in the boarding house, relying on the support of neighbours. This year, with her mother by her side, she says that she feels less lonely, though the pair still worry about the two younger siblings at home.

“My only wish is for better health and to complete my dialysis sessions without complications. Sometimes, when I am too weak, I have to stop in the middle of a session, which is exhausting,” Trang recalled.

Tet celebration for everyone

The “dialysis village” at 121 Le Thanh Nghi street is home to more than 100 patients. During Tet, the area becomes livelier as charity groups tend to visit to bring warm meals and gifts.

Over the past eight years, Nguyen Thi Thu Yen and her group, Tấm Lòng Thành (Kind Hearts), have been organising Tet celebrations for dialysis patients.

“This dialysis village is always the last stop in our charity work for the lunar year,” said Yen, “Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, we wore masks and used sanitizers to ensure we could still reach these patients, knowing they were struggling even more than usual.”

As regular visitors, Yen’s group understands the patients’ dietary restrictions and essential needs. This year, they provided necessities like vermicelli, glutinous rice, eggs, and cabbage.

“Our message is ‘Find joy in the present, and happiness will stay with you.’ Through this campaign, we hope to bring a little happiness to those undergoing dialysis. Everyone deserves to celebrate Tet, so we want to ensure no one is left behind,” remarked Yen.

In these small, makeshift boarding houses, people tend to rely on one another, sharing both joys and struggles. When Tet arrives, they encourage each other to stay strong and hope for a new year with less pain and better health moving forward. For them, a warm Tet is not about lavish feasts, but about having someone by their side, walking together on this challenging journey.