In late 2016, while she was two months pregnant, 22‑year‑old Chu Thi Thuy from Van Kieu Commune, Nghe An Province, went to Bach Mai Hospital because her legs were swelling. Doctors diagnosed her with lupus erythematosus and glomerulonephritis.

Thuy had never heard of lupus before. The disease was in an acute phase, and because she was pregnant she could not receive aggressive treatment, so she was hospitalized briefly before being allowed home to finish her wedding plans.

Despite the doctors’ efforts, the pregnancy could not be saved. After six months of treatment she lost her first baby, a loss that plunged her into a deep emotional crisis and even thoughts of ending her life.

Her physical health also deteriorated sharply. She fell from 52 kg to 32 kg, and her parents could barely recognize her when she returned home.

For four years doctors tried to preserve her kidney function, but in 2020 the disease progressed to end‑stage kidney disease. She was advised to have arteriovenous fistula surgery and began regular dialysis.

Throughout the ten years, her husband – a garment worker in Hanoi – never blamed her or called her a burden. He stayed by her side, even when she suggested he could seek happiness elsewhere.

In 2019, while undergoing treatment, Thuy met a pregnant woman who could not raise her child. After talking with her, the couple decided to adopt the baby girl, who is now seven years old.

Thuy is now waiting for a kidney from a brain‑dead donor at Viet Duc Hospital. Her parents cannot donate because of blood‑type incompatibility and health issues, so she keeps her transplant registration active and undergoes regular tests while on dialysis.

After ten years of illness, Thuy has learned to accept her condition, cherish what she has, and stay optimistic. She says her husband is her greatest fortune – the pillar that supports her after every long dialysis session.