Patient Info: Phung Viet Anh

At the beginning of October, it is through another patient that GFO had come to know about the case of an 8 years old boy- little Phung Viet Anh- son of Mr Phung Van Tung. Little Viet Anh is currently in Grade 2 of Tan Mai Primary School, Ha Noi. Since the beginning of August 2006, he had been weakened by some unknown symptoms until it was found out by the Centralized Hospital for Children that he had suffered from cancer. Right after the results was confirmed, his family had decided to bring Viet Anh to Singapore for further trearment.

After some initial check ups, National University Hospital in Singapore had diagnosed the little one with White Blood Cell Cancer on Mild level and the doctor had come up with a plan for treatments that would last for 2 years. It would be strictly treatment in Singapore for the first year, on the second year, little Viet Anh would have the chance to choose whether to continue his last 3 sessions in Singapore or in Vietnam. The first few therapies sessions had already begun and the little one’s condition has stayed within the expectation of the doctor.

The little one has such an adorable that it would please everyone who comes to visit him. Although he would be bashful in front of strangers, his mother revealed the truth about him- a talkative boy and quite a singer when he is alone. Suffered a sore leg, the little one could not walk on his own, but need to be carried around on his parent’s back. Day in and out, little Viet Anh found his entertainment by flipping through comic books which he borrowed from little Ngoc- another child patient in Singapore. Wiping his tears whenever he saw any sights of doctors and nurses, the innocent child is too young to realize that he is suffering from one of the meanest disease of all.

GFO had been there for the family from their very first step on the Merlion Island. Upon arrival at the airport, our members of GFO had shown a very warm welcome to the family. At first, we found a temporary shelter for the family to settle down and later on, a proper place that the family would comfortably call “home”. Apart from helping them with admission documents and communication matter with the doctors, our members had also shown the family how to get around, where to shop for necessary things and so on. Not only helping on the logistical purpose but GFO had also come to visit the family on the regular basis so that the family would never feel that they are fighting the battle alone. It is good to know that the family is gradually stabilizing their living in Singapore.

Being in outpatient treatment, little Viet Anh will be only required to come back to the hospital for necessary check ups and for the doctor to monitor on his progress. Since his parents are not able to speak English, GFO had taken the full responsibility of communication with the doctor. At the same time, GFO constantly visited the family in order to ensure all of their necessities are being taken care of.

(Translated by Thien Vu)