Mr. Phuc’s Story
Having moved to Ho Chi Minh City after the liberation, Mr. Nguyen Cong Phuc spent over 35 years working and building a life in the city. His life was relatively stable until five years ago, when he received a life-altering diagnosis: end-stage renal disease.
The illness didn't just deteriorate his physical health; it completely disrupted his mental well-being and turned his daily routine upside down. Once an active worker, Mr. Phuc's life is now strictly bound to a hospital bed, structured entirely around a grueling schedule of three dialysis sessions every single week: "I go for dialysis one day, rest the next, and then go again the day after." This absolute dependence on life-support machinery means traveling or planning for the future is no longer an option.
For an immigrant like Mr. Phuc, the heaviest emotional toll is the forced separation from his roots. The past five years of battling kidney disease have also been five years of being unable to visit his hometown in Central Vietnam. Whenever programs about Hue appear on television, he finds himself crying from an overwhelming sense of homesickness. Deeply moved by his longing, his nieces and nephews once suggested adjusting his treatment schedule so he could take a quick flight back to Hue for just a day. However, his fragile health and rigid clinical timeline make that dream impossible. "How could I possibly visit Hue for just one day and turn around to come back? It’s just not enough time," he shares bittersweetly.
Yet, even in the face of such limitations, the warmth and care from his family and the community keep him grounded. Knowing that people care and think of him provides the vital emotional strength he needs to keep fighting.
The Impact of "Living well with dialysis"
Patient: Mr. N. C. Phuc (1957); Undergoing dialysis for 5 years
Mr. Phuc’s reality reflects the silent struggles of thousands of dialysis patients. Beyond the physical pain and financial strain lies a profound psychological disruption—a feeling of missing out on life due to the relentless cycle of treatment.
The comprehensive care model established by Living well with dialysis project is designed precisely for patients like Mr. Phuc. By expanding support beyond standard medical treatments to include mental health resources and digital education platforms, the project fosters a strong support network connecting patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals. It ensures that while their bodies may be anchored to a machine, their spirits remain connected, supported, and never alone.
