In Loving Memory of Kim Cuc Tran

Kim was the most caring, generous, fun and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

She dedicated her life to helping people in the community.

It all started with a small cough back in July 2018. This cough then began to progress, becoming a daily occurrence and developed into occasional choking by October 2019. Her posture also began to droop.

Increasing breathlessness and fatigue by February 2020 meant she could only walk a few metres at a time. She was now choking daily.

Meanwhile, she had been to countless specialists and therapists to find a reason for her coughing and choking. No one picked it up and it was dismissed as either allergies, reflux, anxiety or post-nasal drip.

In January 2020, she was pumping iron at the gym. The exercises appeared to have improved her posture and breathing in February/ March 2020.

A heavy fall on Monday 25th May 2020 (when on her way to have a brain MRI), quickly saw her admitted to Emergency. Soon after, her CO2 levels were discovered to be high and she underwent several tests at RPA Hospital.

On Wednesday 27th May 2020, racing against the clock, the ICU medical team had to quickly intubate. On the ventilator, she felt so much better and there were hopes that she would soon recover.

On Friday 29th May 2020, the diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease (MND) - also known as ALS (made famous by the 2014 ice bucket challenge) was made.

Over the weekend, her family frantically sought second, third and fourth opinions. Top neuro specialists all confirmed MND. Acceptance of her terminal diagnosis was extremely difficult as she could still communicate by writing and her sense of humour, strength and spirit continued to shine through.

Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is a rare degenerative disorder, affecting the nerves controlling the muscles of the body. It often starts as weakness in the arms or legs, initially slowly progressing until a rapid decline ending up with respiratory failure. The mind remains intact and becomes imprisoned in a body that gradually wastes away. Life expectancy from the start of symptoms is usually 2-5 years.

Kim’s particular form of MND (Progressive Bulbar Palsy) was extremely rare, commencing in the respiratory system. This meant she could still move her arms and legs and be out and about doing what she loved up, until the end.

Her atypical symptoms meant that it was hard to diagnose.

Not only did Kim have a rare disease, she had the rarest of a rare disease. That’s how special she is.

A week after she was intubated, her life support was turned off on Wednesday 3rd June 2020.

Surrounded by her loving family, she went peacefully and can now breathe freely forever.

Kim leaves behind her husband, children, their partners, grandchildren, extended family and hundreds of people who adore her and are so grateful for her help.

Your generous donations to the MND Research Institute of Australia, MND NSW, MND Australia and RPA Hospital will help to find a cure for the most insidious and cruellest of diseases, as well as educate and help prevent others from experiencing a similar tragedy.

A tribute to Kim who always looked for the good no matter how bad things became:

Just Keep on….

Just keep on looking for the rainbows
Amongst the stormy sky
Keep on searching for friendly faces
As strangers pass you by
Just keep on looking for those moments
No matter how fleeting they may be
Because when you catch those glimpses
That’s where you’ll find me