Tran Thi Hoai suffers from serious burns
Tran Thi Hoai, 44, was just discharged after undergoing various operations at the Vietnam National Institute of Burns in Hanoi after 33 years of living with the disfigurements that totally distorted her mouth and neck.
Doctor Vu Quang Vinh said that the operations were all successful and all the damaged skin areas in her face, neck, and armpits have been properly repaired.
"We'd also co-operated with doctors from the Dentomaxillofacial department to repair her lower jaws and teeth," Doctor Vinh said. "She and all of us doctors were very happy and we want to send our thanks to all the kind donors for your financial support for her."
Leaving the hospital with a new better appearance, Hoai said this was like a dream to her.
"I have been living in a really nice dream over the past months," she said in happy tears. "I never thought I could see my face restored after 33 years. I now don't have to endure awful pains or worry about people fearing my face anymore. I will visit my neighbours to share my happiness when I return home. I want to send my sincere thanks to Dantri Newspapers, all kind donors and doctors for your valuable support."
Hoai is discharged from the hospital after successful treatment.
According to Hoai, she suffered burns during a house fire when she was just 10. Her poor parents could not afford proper treatment for her.
Although Hoai was saved, the burns have left large scars on her body especially on the neck, chest, and hands. She also suffers great pains when moving her neck and hands.
And the woman has grown up shy and afraid. She rarely goes out. As her parents grew old, she decided to have a child at the age of 28 so that she would not be lonely. But due to the family's financial difficulties, her son had to drop out of school after finishing secondary school.
After more than 30 years of living with the pain, Hoai recently heard that the Vietnam National Institute of Burns has just successfully restored a face for a woman who had also suffered serious burns for 50 years.
"I was full of hope that I can also get rid of these awful scars on my neck when hearing the news," she said. "With encouragement from my son, I decided to sell all the possessions of any value in my home and came to the hospital. But after being informed of the cost of VND300 million (USD13,043), I had to give up."
After the story of the poor woman was published on Dantri/Dtinews, many readers have sent money to support her. Hoai has received over VND 400 million (USD 17,391) from the public.