Patient Info: Pham Duc Mong

Mr. Pham Duc Mong, 38, worked for a restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. There he, with his wife and their little son, built a very warm family. At the beginning of December 2005, Mr. Mong began to find it difficult to breathe and he was occasionally out of breath. He went to many hospitals to have check-ups, yet doctors could not find the origin of his disease. In June 2006, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Everyday his lung membrane generated fluid, and should the fluid not be sucked out of his lungs in time, he would suffer from suffocation. Since then he had always had two plastic pipes attached to his body to deliver the fluid out, and owing to the situation, he had not been allowed to leave the patient bed.

On 10 July 2006, he, with his deteriorating health, came to Singapore with his wife and younger sister to have treatments at Gleneagles Hospital. The doctors said he was in a very serious condition, and his chance of survival was minimal. Within one month of treatment at Gleneagles Hospital, he was well taken care of by the doctors and nurses – they frequently visited and encouraged him. The GFO members were there to witness his great efforts in fighting against the disease. Everyday he would try to get hold of the iron bar hung at the end of his bed so as to exercise with his legs, despite the fact that they were no longer as strong as they had been. Everyday he would try to have rice or porridge, though just a little bit, to gain strength and continue his fight. Everyday he would try to get used to the two plastic pipes attached to his body and the unpleasant inner heat when taking medicine. And everyday he would greet the doctors, nurses, and acquaintances with smiles.

Unfortunately, because his health was not good and his body did not react well to the medicine taken, Mr. Mong passed away after a few days getting back to his family in Vietnam. We, GFO, wish that he now rests in peace. And brother Mong, everybody misses you much...

(Translated by Duc Phuong)