{Entry for the Humanities Impression Contest - Faculty of Information and Library Science} Humanistic sentiment

Indeed, studying and working at the Faculty of Humanities, like many faculty members and generations of students, I have always felt the human relationships being nurtured and cultivated, so that when someone mentions humanities, my heart always swells with pride – a HUMANITARIAN.

For me, the two words "Humanitarianism" are truly precious and sacred. They are even more valuable when I experience and understand them firsthand. Nearly a decade ago, every April, the school's labor union organized a regular health check-up for staff and faculty, inviting specialist doctors to conduct routine check-ups. At that time, I was only 35, driven by a desire to learn and contribute. There were days I stayed up late reading and worked whenever I could. Those days of hard work and unscientific work accumulated, and when I received the results of my routine check-up, I was devastated and despairing to hear the doctor's diagnosis of stage 2 chronic kidney disease. The sadness and despair intensified when I learned more about the disease (chronic kidney disease is incurable, only treatable with care and preservation). In the days that followed, I diligently researched and carefully managed my diet and rest. After seven years of arduous abstinence, preservation, and conservation, what had to happen eventually did. I was exhausted, malnourished, and completely drained. When my husband took me to the hospital, the doctor diagnosed me with stage 5 kidney failure and said I needed emergency dialysis. It was truly desperate, with four patients sharing one bed (thinking back, it's still terrifying). Each time I had dialysis, I lost a significant amount of blood due to clots. I looked like a lifeless corpse. I posted a status update: "Holding on is impossible, I have to let go." At that time, friends, family, and colleagues offered so much encouragement. Among those words of encouragement, Professor Hai, then the deputy head of the Training Department, said, "How can you give up? You have to pull it up!" Professor Binh from the Linguistics Department said, "Hold on tight, never let go..." Seeing my husband's frail condition, seeing my two young children, along with so many words of encouragement from my family and teachers, I reassured myself and resolved to live... In the hospital, I met many people who were suffering even more than me, and all of that motivated me to fight this terrible disease.
 

After more than 20 days in the hospital undergoing surgery on my arm, I was discharged to begin a new journey of DIALYSIS. Every other day I went to the hospital, lying motionless for four hours, unconscious. The most painful part was each time I went on duty, when the nurses inserted two large needles, bigger than those used for cattle, into my arm to draw blood for filtration and return it to the body. It was excruciatingly painful, leaving my arm bruised and discolored, but I'd rather suffer than die. The school's leadership visited me at home, offering encouragement and comfort. I'll never forget that day when Ms. Oanh, Head of the Organization Department and President of the School's Trade Union, encouraged and shared: "Just focus on your treatment and get well. Health is the most precious thing; don't worry too much about your work." Oh, I was truly moved at that moment. That further motivated me to strive for good health and to have my burden lifted. The department's leadership also encouraged and comforted me, providing me with the time to focus on my treatment. Just over a month after returning home, I regained my balance and learned to accept the reality. What I admired most was the timely encouragement and support from the school's leadership, an incredibly effective morale booster. Immediately afterward, I thought to myself, "I will overcome this, I will definitely overcome this."
 

It's been over three years now. Besides my dialysis sessions, I've remained dedicated to my assigned work, always striving to complete my tasks, participating in activities initiated by the University's Trade Union, and engaging in research and teaching to ensure my knowledge doesn't fade. My skin has darkened considerably, my body is much thinner, and my arm, with over 1000 injections in the past three years, looks terrifying with its protruding lumps, making me afraid to wear sleeveless tops, even in the hottest weather. But my soul, my self-respect, and my gratitude towards my family, friends, colleagues, and the University remain deeply ingrained and truly cherished. I always remind myself never to take advantage of others' kindness, always valuing it and hoping to reciprocate. I still care for my family and sell goods online to supplement my medical expenses. To have lived and worked here until today is a privilege granted to me by the Faculty of Humanities. Leaders, teachers, colleagues, and students still see me as an ordinary member of the group. I feel the affection of my teachers and colleagues, the care, understanding, and support, both spiritual and material, from the University's leadership. Having lived and worked for nearly 30 years in an environment overflowing with human kindness, I have witnessed so much love and sharing between colleagues, between generations of teachers and students, and between the University and the community. This makes me appreciate and always strive to spread these beautiful humanistic values ​​within myself, within the University, and even more broadly in society.

Today, in this warm atmosphere of humanistic values, I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to all the teachers. I wish the entire school continued strength and development, and especially that the spirit of humanism will always be cherished and nurtured. I wish all the teachers a joyful and happy Teachers' Day.

                                                                        Hanoi, November 11, 2020