Chapter 18 — Directions to Cloud Valley

Winter comes to the Northwest highlands, bringing with it a biting cold, completely different from what Dang Khoi has experienced in the city. Frost blankets the valley early every morning, and temperatures sometimes drop below freezing at night.

"I have never experienced a winter as harsh as this," Dang Khoi said, rubbing his hands in front of the small fire in Thao Vy's stilt house, his breath creating white smoke in the cold air.

"This is just the beginning," Thao Vy replied, smiling at his reaction. "But it also has its own beauty — the snow on the mountain tops, the strangely fresh air."

Winter also brings new challenges to public health work, when respiratory diseases increase significantly among villagers, especially among children and the elderly. Ta Chai Medical Station, although it has only been in operation for less than half a year, has proven its great value by being able to promptly handle many cases that in the past could have become serious due to lack of timely medical care.

"If it weren't for this medical station, countless cases of pneumonia in children would become critical," Minh Trang shared with Dang Khoi during a visit to check the situation. "This week I have treated five mild cases of pneumonia, all of which are stable."

"You are doing your job very well," Dang Khoi praised, proud of the young nurse's maturity. "If there are any cases beyond our ability to handle, do not hesitate to immediately contact me or the support team from the district hospital."

***

In the middle of winter, when the wedding preparations were progressing well, Dang Khoi received an urgent call from his mother, her voice filled with worry on the phone.

"Khoi, you have to go home now," Mrs. Hanh said, her voice shaking with panic. "Your father just had a seizure, I called the ambulance, they are taking him to the hospital."

That news made Dang Khoi immediately dumbfounded for a few seconds, before the instincts of a doctor and a filial son emerged. "I'll be home right away, Mom," he replied, his voice trying to stay calm even though he was filled with worry. "Which hospital are you going to, Mom? I'll contact the doctor on duty so they can get ready."

Thao Vy, standing nearby and hearing the conversation, immediately realized the severity of the situation. "Do you need any help?" she asked, ready to assist in any way possible.

"I need to go town right away to catch the earliest bus back to the city," Dang Khoi replied, his hands hastily packing his things.

"I'll take you right away," Thao Vy said, without any hesitation, quickly taking the motorbike key.

During the journey town, Dang Khoi's mind was reeling with worry about his father's condition, mixed with guilt for being so far away from home during this important time. Thao Vy, sitting behind him on the motorbike, tried to reassure him with gentle words of encouragement.

"Huntington's disease sometimes causes seizures, especially in the advanced stages," Dang Khoi said, his voice sounding professional but unable to hide his personal concern. "But I never thought it would happen so quickly."

"You can't blame yourself for not being able to predict every development of the disease," Thao Vy said, squeezing his hand as they stopped at the bus station. "The important thing now is that you need to stay calm so you can make the wisest decisions for your father."

***

When they arrived at the bus station, they were lucky to catch the earliest bus back to the city. Before getting in the car, Dang Khoi turned to Thao Vy, his eyes full of gratitude and a little guilt.

"I'm sorry for having to leave so suddenly, right in the middle of our wedding preparations," he said.

"Don't apologize," Thao Vy replied immediately, holding his hand tightly. "Family must always come first. I will stay here, continue my work, and be ready to go to the city as soon as you need me."

"Thank you," Dang Khoi said, hugging her tightly before getting in the car. "I will inform you as soon as there is new information."

When the bus started rolling, Thao Vy stood and watched until it disappeared, her heart filled with worry for Dang Khoi and his family. She knew that this could be the first truly serious challenge that their newly healed relationship would face, and she promised herself that she would do everything she could to support him through this difficult period.

***

During the six-hour car ride back to the city, Dang Khoi continuously texted his mother to update the situation, his heart burning as each reply came slower than he expected. Finally, as the car neared the city, he received a text message from his mother: "Dad is stable. The doctor said the seizures are under control, but more monitoring is needed."

He breathed a sigh of relief, although his anxiety had not completely disappeared. As soon as the bus arrived at the station, he hurriedly took a taxi straight to the hospital, where his mother was waiting outside the emergency room, her face haggard with worry and fatigue.

"Mom," Dang Khoi called, running to hug his mother. "How's dad?"

"The doctor said the seizures are over, but they want to keep your father under observation for a few more days," Mrs. Hanh replied, her voice still shaking. "They said your father's illness is progressing to a more serious stage."

Dang Khoi felt a sharp pain in his heart at that news, although with his medical knowledge, he had somewhat prepared himself for this possibility in advance. He asked permission to see the doctor directly to better understand his father's condition.

"Your father's Huntington's disease is in its advanced stages," the treating doctor explained, his voice serious but sympathetic. "Convulsions will likely appear more frequently, and his motor and cognitive abilities will decline more quickly in the near future. The family needs to be mentally prepared and have an appropriate care plan."

"I understand, doctor," Dang Khoi replied, his voice choked but still trying to maintain the necessary professionalism. "I will discuss with the family about long-term care arrangements for father."

After leaving the doctor's room, Dang Khoi visited his father in the recovery room, holding his thin hand lying silently on the hospital bed. "Daddy, I'm home," he whispered, though he wasn't sure his father could hear or understand him in his current state.

That night, when his father's situation had stabilized, Dang Khoi called Thao Vy to tell him the news, his voice tired and full of worry. "Dad's illness is getting worse," he said, not hiding the truth from her like he had done in the past. "The doctor said the family needs to prepare for a much more difficult period of care ahead."

"I'm sorry to hear this news," Thao Vy replied, her voice filled with sincere sympathy. "Whatever you need, I'm ready, whether it's emotional support or being there in person with you."

"Thank you," Dang Khoi said, feeling the warmth of her love and support even hundreds of kilometers away. "I think I will need to stay in the city longer than expected to arrange care for my father and support my mother during this difficult period."

"You just do what's necessary," Thao Vy replied, without any hesitation. "Wedding plans can wait. Your family is the most important thing right now."

The end of the call left in Dang Khoi's heart a deep gratitude to the woman who always stood by him, no matter how difficult the situation was, and also a vague worry about whether he could balance his responsibilities with his family and the future plans that were gradually forming with Thao Vy.

In the following days, Dang Khoi temporarily put aside his part-time job at the hospital to spend all his time with his father, and carefully researched the most suitable long-term care options. He discussed with many neurology colleagues, learned about specialized care facilities, as well as home care methods that could help his father maintain the best possible quality of life during the remaining period.

"I have found a nurse who specializes in caring for end-stage Huntington's patients and can come to my house to support me every day," Dang Khoi reported to his mother after a few days of research. "That will ease the mother's burden a lot."

"Thank you," Mrs. Hanh replied, holding her son's hand tightly with grateful eyes. "I don't know how I would cope without you here right now."

"I will always be here when the family needs me, mom," Dang Khoi affirmed, even though in his heart he still kept thinking about Thao Vy and the unfinished plans waiting for him to return to the highlands.