“I have lost a leg, have cancer but I have a wonderful husband and two well behaved children. I’ve lived happily and enjoyed my life during the last 05 years when I had cancer. Thank YOU for always being with me in my hardest moments, thanks to all my relatives and thank life for letting me survive, work and be loved.
“I am Nguyen Thi Ngoc, born in 1965 in Hai Phong. I had an accident at the age of 18 when I was a freshman at a university: and I lost my leg. Due to it being infected, I had my leg sawed 04 times. The doctor said that I couldn’t have an artificial leg fitted because the rest of my leg was too short. I was still determined to come to the hospital and to continuously practice in 04 months. Blood and tears dropped in each step but I was finally able to go walk by myself on a wooden leg”.
“On 12 May 2008, after taking an examination at Hanoi’s Hospital K, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. In the following 10 days, I was assigned to undergo surgery, followed by chemotherapy, then to receive radiotherapy in 09 months. As an influence of the chemicals, my hairs started to fall down although just a few. I had my husband shave my hair so more could regrow. Then, I looked “cooler”.
“It has been 05 years since the time I first contracted cancer, the cancer cells now have spread to the bone and make it ache. In order to not become depressed by my deteriorating health, I strived to follow the proper diet and exercise. Every morning, my husband and I get up early and cycle round Tam Bac lake to improve our health. I practice yoga at Yoga Centre three times a week and also practice at home. Yoga brings excellent health and tranquility for my soul. I had some difficulties when first starting yoga, but I don’t allow myself to become lazy and give up. You have to sustain your health and take care of yourself before waiting for peoples’ help.
After I had lost my leg and then contract breast cancer, I experienced many different jobs as a dressmaker, hairdresser, selling clothes at Ga market, and then working in the Customer Care Service of Nokia in Hai Phong. I am satisfied with my current job and strive to do well.
“I have lost a leg, have a cancer but I have a wonderful husband and two well behaved children. I’ve lived happily and enjoyed my life during the last 05 years when I had cancer. Thank YOU for always being with me in my hardest moments, thanks to all my relatives and thank life for letting me survive, work and be loved.
The story of Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc
Photographer: Mr. Nguyen Khac Hiep (1994)
The story’s teller: Ms. Nguyen Thu Duyen (1982)
