Support for Chinh Nguyen’s Family in Tragic Loss

Dear Family and Friends,

It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the sudden loss of our beloved father, Chinh Nguyen. He passed away following a horrific boat explosion that left him with severe burns over 60% of his body. Despite the courageous efforts of medical staff and his own strong spirit, he could not overcome the injuries sustained.

Chinh was a loving and dedicated man, whose warmth and kindness touched the lives of everyone who knew him. He was our rock, and his absence leaves a void that can never be filled. In this incredibly difficult time, we are seeking support to help cover the costs of his memorial service and to assist our family as we navigate through this unimaginable loss.

Any contribution, no matter how small, will go a long way in helping us honor our father's memory and provide the necessary support for our family. We are immensely grateful for your kindness, prayers, and support during this challenging time.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for standing with us.

With deepest gratitude,

Van Huynh and Family

--- Chinh Nguyen’s Story

On April 26, 2024, my father, Chinh, had a brief interaction with fellow crewmen on a boat when a fire explosion suddenly occurred. His position on the boat took the heaviest impact, leaving 60-70% of his body severely burned with partial to full-thickness injuries. As a result of the injuries sustained, he was placed in a medically induced coma. The healthcare team stated that he may have lost consciousness at the time of the explosion. He never got the chance to say goodbye to his family, and we never got to say goodbye to him. I often wonder what he might have been thinking at that moment.

The healthcare team at Straub informed our family that the road to recovery would be long and challenging. Every minute was a fight for his life, with many terrifying moments where we thought we might lose him due to the extensive treatments he was currently undergoing. If you could imagine all the pain medications he needed, the list kept growing. He was unstable for an extended period of time in the initial stages. His lungs were heavily reliant on the vent at its maximum abilities. During that time, we were extremely worried.

Until May 7, 2024, the plastic surgeon believed he could undergo surgery to receive skin grafts. The skin grafting was just an expensive "bandaid," and they mentioned this surgery was just one of many more to come. The moment they told us he was stable, our family saw a glimmer of hope. As the month went on, we thought we were only moving forward with the surgeries. The medical team attempted to reduce the dosages of sedatives and pain medications, in hopes of getting him to wake up again, but each time they reduced the amount, he showed significant signs of suffering and pain.

As the days passed, he started to show little movement in his body, and the doctors believed he might have gone into a vegetative state. Due to this change, they performed a CT scan, which revealed he had suffered a stroke. The healthcare team was also very concerned about his likelihood of infection, which he regrettably experienced.

On June 9, 2024, his fight was over. He was no longer suffering and in pain. He was a strong and caring man, surrounded everyday in the company of his loved ones. The Co-Cathedral of St Theresa blessed us with their presence and prayers everyday. He’s now in heaven joined by his beloved father, who passed during his time at the hospital. I hope they find comfort and peace in eachother and through the grace of God.

Thank you for taking the time to read his story. We are truly grateful and appreciative for any support you can offer during this difficult time.