Building a new house, optimistic after health incident

After overcoming illness, artist Thoai My worked tirelessly to contribute to art.

Feeling sad remembering the memories of performing with colleagues

* Hello Meritorious Artist Thoai My! What are your plans for Tet this year?

- In the days leading up to Tet, I take the opportunity to participate in gift giving programs for the poor in districts and wards. Besides, I spend time practicing plays to prepare for new plays. This year, I will sing for Huynh Long troupe, as well as perform at trade fairs in the provinces. From New Year's Eve afternoon, after worshiping my ancestors, I will go to Hong Ngu (Dong Thap) to sing on New Year's Eve. On the first day of Tet, I will return and continue performing. Around the 10th, I will fly to the US to participate in performances on Valentine's Day, February 14.

This year's Tet is special to me. I am currently building a new house and buying an adjacent plot of land. However, due to problems, the house was not completed before Tet, so I had to temporarily stay at my close relatives' house. Although I cannot celebrate Tet in my own house, I still feel warm because my brothers and friends always ask about me, encourage me and share with me.

* For artist Thoai My, what is the meaning of family reunion during Tet?

- Tet is the time for everyone to come back together, an occasion for children and grandchildren, even though they work far away, to return home, burn incense for their grandparents and parents and reunite with their families. During the year, everyone is busy with work, each person in a different place, Tet is an occasion for everyone to gather together. Likewise, for friends and colleagues, Tet is the time when everyone can meet, wish each other well, invite each other to dinner, share the joys and sorrows of the past year. Besides, for me, Tet also brings joy when serving the audience, bringing songs to serve people. I think that is the happiness of artists.

Every time she goes on stage, Meritorious Artist Thoai My gives her all to her roles and leaves an impression on the audience.

* What is your most memorable memory of Tet?

- I always remember the memories of the time when I performed with Mr. Vu Linh, Mr. Trong Phuc, Ms. Thanh Kim Hue, Vu Luan... and many other brothers and sisters in the troupe. Every year, at noon on the 30th of Tet, we would go to the province to perform. On New Year's Eve, we performed, and as soon as the curtain closed, we entered the new year. After the moment of New Year's Eve, the whole troupe would wander around the streets, then return to the hotel to rest. On the first morning of the new year, everyone gathered to wish each other a happy and cozy New Year.

Back then, when traveling with the group, Mr. Trong Phuc often had to wake up early in the morning to go to the market to buy food, while Mr. Vu Linh was in charge of cooking. Those simple, emotional memories can no longer be had. Now, everything is just memories of when people are still alive and when people are gone. Sometimes when I think back, I feel a little sad.

Once feared not being able to return to the stage due to illness

* How has your health been lately?

- In the past, I had many health problems. Sometimes, I couldn't talk, sometimes I was out of breath so I couldn't sing. Besides, I had an irregular heartbeat, sometimes it was too fast, sometimes it was too slow. When I wore a monitor to monitor me 24/7, the doctor discovered that sometimes my heart stopped beating for a few beats.

During my illness, my health and spirit both declined. My friends, colleagues and audiences were very worried about me, not knowing how I would recover and whether my health would be the same as before. After the surgery, my health was stable, improving by about 80%. The doctor diagnosed that it was no longer dangerous, but I did not dare to be subjective, had to regularly go for regular heart check-ups, take medicine and exercise regularly.

* During your illness, were you afraid you wouldn't be able to return to the stage?

- I was worried and thought a lot. Because at that time, I felt my health was getting worse. There were even times when I couldn't see, so I was very scared. In this singing profession, if your voice is weak and your eyes are dim, how can you stand on stage? At that time, I could only pray, hoping that I would meet a good doctor and good medicine to cure my illness.

Singing gives me fame, allows me to take care of myself, my family, and share something with society. If I can no longer sing, if I can no longer work, I probably won't be able to bear it. I always pray, asking the profession to have mercy on me. And with my strong love for the profession, I believe that I will overcome everything to stand on stage. Thanks to God's mercy, the profession's mercy, the doctor's mercy, and my own will, I overcame it.

The 6X female artist exercises every day, takes care of her appearance, and is praised by many people for looking younger than her real age.

* During the time you were at home recovering from illness, did you ever have a moment of weakness and wish you had a companion?

- I have been to Buddhism for a long time, so I understand that everything depends on fate, not on expectations. So I do not resent, nor do I expect. What comes will come, what goes will go. Of course, I still hope for my own happiness. But that happiness is not only in love, living with relatives and family is also a type of happiness.

After recovering from my illness, I traveled more to enjoy life and relax my mind. I set a goal that every year, no matter how busy I am, I will take time to travel to relieve stress. When my nerves are relaxed and comfortable, it is also good for my heart.

* To maintain your reputation and appeal to the audience is certainly not easy for a cai luong artist like you?

- I think I am truly lucky to have God's grace to enlighten me, and the audience also loves me very much and always remembers me. To me, this is a great happiness, not everyone has it. Therefore, when I went through a period of illness, I tried my best to treat myself, hoping to be healthy again, to continue serving the audience and doing the job I love.

Thoại Mỹ spends time enjoying life, trying to stay calm and worry-free at the age of U.60.

* At the age of nearly 60, artist Thoai My is still very youthful, what is her secret?

- Up until now, I have always paid great attention to taking care of my health and beauty. I believe that beauty is not only for myself but also to serve the public, so that the audience can see me with the best impression. Therefore, I always maintain care from a young age, not waiting until I am old. Just taking care and maintaining it regularly will definitely keep you young for a long time.

Whenever I meet relatives, friends and colleagues, I often advise them to pay attention to their health and take care of themselves. If they get sick or have any accident, their health will be affected a lot. Like me, after going through health problems, it was not easy to get back to where I am now.

* What do you wish for in 2025?

- The first thing I wish for myself is good health. Because I am not lucky enough to have good health like others, I always pray for my health and for the health of everyone around me. I hope everyone will always love each other. When we have good health and love, we will be happy.

On the occasion of the New Year, Thoai My would like to wish everyone a peaceful, happy, prosperous, and successful spring.

* Thank you for sharing!

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cuoc-song-cua-thoai-my-tuoi-u60-xay-nha-moi-lac-quan-sau-bien-co-suc-khoe-185250125100040578.htm