The “Charging Stations” Along a Long Road: Behind the Dialysis Rooms

In the late afternoons, when the sunlight fades behind the glass windows of Lê Văn Thịnh Hospital, the space in the Nephrology Department seems to thicken with the steady hum of dialysis machines. Amid that dry, mechanical rhythm, one can still catch moments of profound tenderness: a wife gently holding her husband’s hand, whispering about home; a son supporting his mother as she takes slow steps down the corridor; or the rare yet heart-wrenching image of an elderly father sitting silently by a hospital bed, patiently waiting while his child undergoes dialysis…

These are the portraits of the “silent warriors”, the family members of chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis.

When Love Takes the Form of a “Healer”

In the battle against chronic kidney disease, patients are the ones who directly endure the pain, but it is their loved ones who carry their entire world on their shoulders. They are not only family; they must also learn to become professional caregivers, strict nutritionists, and at times, endlessly patient psychologists.

The dialysis journey is not measured in days or months, but in an entire lifetime. Behind every 4-hour dialysis session lie thousands of hours of worry from family members: What should they eat today to keep the numbers right? Is this fatigue normal or a complication? How can we lift their spirits when they feel like giving up?

And so, these loved ones become both anchor and breath, accompanying patients through the most challenging time.

“Charging Stations” for Tireless Hearts

Hospitals are traditionally seen as places that treat the sick. But have we ever asked ourselves: are we forgetting the caregivers? Those who stand behind the spotlight of recovery also grow tired, feel pain, and need a place to lean on.

Understanding this, under the project “Living Well with Dialysis – A Comprehensive Care Model” sponsored by the ASIF Foundation, the Care giver Club at the Nephrology Department of Lê Văn Thịnh Hospital was established. Among the many clubs for patients, a dedicated space for family members. caregivers is rare and deeply precious.

Here, they no longer have to search alone through vague information on the internet. Regular meetings allow doctors and leading specialists to directly answer questions tailored to each treatment plan, guiding families toward the most accurate and scientific care for their specific situations. Above all, this is where kindred spirits find one another.

“Meeting, sharing stories, and listening to words of encouragement is a necessary ‘charging station’ that allows us to go farther together on this challenging road.”

Moving Forward for One Another…

The club’s gatherings are filled not only with medical knowledge but also with tears and empathetic smiles. There, people learn to accept illness with greater calm, and to “recharge” themselves so they can continue being a source of light for their loved ones.

The road ahead may still be long and exhausting, but at the Nephrology Department of Lê Văn Thịnh Hospital, no one will be left behind. Because when family members gain strength, patients gain hope. And when love is connected, pain is no longer a solitary burden borne by anyone alone.