06/12/2026
The letters we receive from our scholarship students can be very moving as shown by this one from Y Thiet. Thank you for all you have done to help provide funding for scholarships.
First and foremost, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to the esteemed FVSO Association, wishing you abundant health and peace in every aspect of your lives.
Greetings to the Association; today, I received my stipend for the month of June. I am deeply grateful that the FVSO Association continues to show such care and remains a steadfast companion on my journey.
Throughout the month of May, we continued our clinical rotations at the hospital, having recently transferred to the Obstetrics Department, where we spent four weeks gaining practical experience.
On that very first Monday—the start of the week—I felt a mixture of intense excitement and trepidation as I stepped through the doors of the Obstetrics Department. What immediately struck my eyes was not the images of rosy-cheeked babies seen on posters, but rather the rapid, rhythmic beeping of fetal heart monitors, the groans of laboring mothers enduring contractions, and the hurried footsteps of the nurses rushing to attend to them. The white coat—which I had worn with such pride every day to my lectures—suddenly felt incredibly heavy on my shoulders. I was excited at the prospect of touching a miracle, yet simultaneously terrified, knowing that in this place, the boundary between life and death can hinge entirely on a split-second decision. In the weeks that followed, I found myself immersed in a world of both tears and laughter; no other department has taught me as much about the depth of human emotion as Obstetrics. I wept unreservedly the first time the senior nurses allowed me to assist in delivering a baby. In that moment—as a tiny, wrinkled hand was placed into the palm of my own, and the baby’s cries rang out, instantly dispelling the tension that filled the room—I truly understood the meaning of the word "sacred." In the instant I placed the baby onto its mother’s chest—and saw the tears of pure joy streaming down the face of a woman who had just walked through the "gates of death"—every sleepless night spent studying, and every dismissive remark I had heard from outsiders—such as "nursing is such grueling work"—suddenly felt entirely worth it. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride: I had chosen the right profession. Yet, it was also within the Obstetrics Department that I learned the true meaning of helplessness—a lesson taught to me during my third night shift, when a 19-year-old mother suffered a severe postpartum hemorrhage. The entire team raced against time; I could only stand on the sidelines, assisting by handing over instruments—my hands and feet fumbling awkwardly. There was so much blood. The sound of alarms blared, intermingled with the rapid-fire commands issued by the doctors. Fortunately, both mother and baby made it through safely; yet, upon returning to the intern lounge, I sank to the floor and wept. I wept out of fear, and because I realized that the knowledge I had acquired from textbooks paled in comparison to the reality before my eyes. I came to understand that wearing this white coat requires not only kindness but also a cool head and skilled hands. Over the course of four weeks, I learned how to offer a reassuring smile to a woman in labor—even as her face turned pale with pain—despite the turmoil I felt deep inside. I learned how to change the diaper of a premature baby weighing a mere 1.2 kilograms, holding my breath the entire time for fear of hurting the fragile infant. I learned how to bow my head in shared grief with a mother who had lost her child, finding no words to offer other than a tight, comforting squeeze of her hand. The Obstetrics Department forced me to grow up—whether I wanted to or not—and that experience left me with much to ponder. There were moments when I felt terrified, wondering if I would ever possess the courage to go through childbirth myself in the future. At one point, I even thought I would never dare to have children of my own, so overwhelmed was I by the anxiety surrounding the risks that women can face during labor. However, when viewed through a more objective lens, I came to understand that not all births result in serious complications. Thanks to advancements in medical science and the vigilant monitoring provided by healthcare professionals, the vast majority of women giving birth receive safe and effective care. This experience has deepened my empathy and appreciation for the sacrifices and resilience of mothers; it has also served as a reminder that I must continue to study and hone my professional skills so that I may provide the best possible care to my patients in the future. On the final day of my internship, I lingered in the newborn nursery just a little while longer. Gazing at the rows of small cradles, where little angels lay fast asleep, I felt a strange and profound sense of peace. The past four weeks have exacted a heavy toll: sleepless nights, a few lost kilograms, skin darkened by long shifts on duty, and—perhaps most significantly—the loss of the naive notion that "saving lives" is something glamorous. Yet, the Obstetrics Department gave me back so much more: hands that tremble less, a heart that knows how to feel deeply in the right moments, and a love for my profession that no textbook could ever teach. I gained a deeper understanding of a mother's pain and sacrifice, learning to cherish my own mother even more. I realized the immense strength of women, learning to value and respect myself more deeply. I came to understand that being an obstetrics nurse is a constant exchange: trading sleep for the sound of a newborn’s first cry, trading my own tears for the smiles of a grateful family. Stepping out of the department, I was no longer merely a student who knew nothing but theoretical concepts like "presentation, position, and attitude." I had become a young woman who had seen, touched, and lived through the very moments that mark the beginning of a human life. I may not end up working in Obstetrics in the future, but these four weeks will forever remain the most beautiful "highlight" of my student life.
I would like to express my gratitude to FVSO for always taking the time to read my heartfelt letters; I promise myself that I will continue to study diligently and strive to enrich my knowledge even further. Once again, I hope that FVSO will continue to accompany me on this journey. I wish the Association abundant health, peace in all endeavors, success in every undertaking, and true happiness alongside your own families. 💖💖
Y Thiet
