Lê Thị Định (47 years old, from Phú Nam An Commune, Chương Mỹ, Hanoi) recovered her health and returned to her life after undergoing a hematopoietic stem cell transplant to treat her multiple myeloma.
Early detection from back pain
The pain in her bones and the fatigue once made it impossible for Định to work. All household chores and farming work were left to her husband and children. For a hard-working farmer like Định, the illness left her feeling anxious and restless.
After tests, doctors suspected that she had multiple myeloma—a type of malignant blood cancer. To make an accurate diagnosis, she was advised to undergo a bone marrow biopsy. One week later, the diagnosis confirmed she had stage 2 multiple myeloma, and Định and her family were shocked.
However, after calming down, she was immediately hospitalized for treatment. After three rounds of chemotherapy, she underwent another bone marrow biopsy to evaluate her condition. To thoroughly treat the disease, doctors recommended a stem cell transplant and referred her to Vinmec International General Hospital. Here, the entire process, from harvesting stem cells to administering high-dose chemotherapy and managing complications, was performed with advanced equipment and a specialized isolation care protocol to ensure optimal results.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplant – a radical treatment for malignant blood diseases
Hematopoietic stem cell transplant is the most radical treatment method, offering the opportunity for patients with malignant blood diseases, including multiple myeloma, to recover and lead a normal life. To ensure safety and the most effective treatment, patients are transferred to a sterile isolation room for care and special treatment until post-transplant test results return to normal, after which they are moved to a regular hospital room. In February 2019, Định underwent a hematopoietic stem cell transplant at Vinmec to treat her multiple myeloma.
"During the isolation and special care period, patients need maximum support to get through this phase. Patients not only face side effects during treatment but also psychological challenges due to the long isolation period," said PGS.TS.BS Hyeon Gyu Yi, Head of the Oncology Inpatient Unit at Vinmec Times City Hospital.
With years of experience in treating blood disorders, Dr. Yi helped Định navigate the stem cell transplant smoothly, despite the numerous side effects she experienced: poor appetite, throat itching, nausea, acid reflux, lethargy in her limbs, and diarrhea.
On March 23, Định was discharged after nearly a month of hematopoietic stem cell transplant treatment. Touched by the dedication of the doctors and nurses at Vinmec, she recalled, "There were nights when I stayed awake, feeling sad and crying alone. But I encouraged myself to stay strong and fight the disease. My family and doctors often motivated me. Three weeks after the transplant, I felt much better, and the discomfort in my body had greatly reduced."
One week after being discharged, Định was able to walk normally, eat a bowl of rice, and enjoy some fruit to ease her discomfort. She had gained weight, was healthier, and felt stronger. Her husband and children were relieved and no longer needed to constantly care for her. Nguyễn Đức Tuấn, her husband, could not hide his joy as his wife regained her health after nearly six months of "living in the hospital."
For Định, joy returned to her eyes. "Although I was unfortunate to have multiple myeloma, the doctors have supported me a lot, and I was able to overcome the treatment and return to my family. That’s a great comfort and happiness for patients like me," Định shared.
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