Thouhida 'Tia' Chowdhury, a 29-year-old from Liverpool city centre, received a terminal lung cancer diagnosis during her second trimester of pregnancy. Her four-week-old daughter Isabella, born prematurely at 30 weeks during chemotherapy, may not remember her mother beyond the age of two.
Devastating News at 14 Weeks
Tia and her husband Lewis, both 29, had dreamed of building a perfect life together—two children, a family home, and marriage. Discovering Tia was pregnant with Isabella left the couple feeling 'beyond happy.' However, at 14 weeks, Tia was given the devastating news that she has just two to three years to live.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Tia said: 'Isabella is our first daughter, we were only just starting our journey together as a family. We wanted a normal, average life, we had it all planned. We were so excited when we found out we were pregnant. It was November [last year] we found out.'
From Chest Infection to Cancer Diagnosis
Before her diagnosis, Tia had been treated for what she believed was a chest infection. She was prescribed multiple courses of antibiotics over approximately six months, but her condition continued to deteriorate. During her final round of antibiotics, her mother noticed Tia's complexion was 'turning blue' during an evening meal and rushed her to A&E. Tia remained at the Royal Liverpool Hospital for the following five months.
'I was told I had cancer a few days after being taken to the Royal. I had a CT scan which showed my lymph nodes were all inflamed and my left lung had collapsed. At first doctors said it could either be TB or cancer, at that moment we just knew it was cancer,' Tia said. A biopsy confirmed lung cancer. 'I asked for my prognosis and the oncologist told me I had two to three years. My whole world felt like it fell apart in that moment.'
Chemotherapy and Premature Birth
Tia was told the cancer was untreatable, but chemotherapy could slow its progression. Without chemo, she would have eight to 12 months. She began treatment while pregnant. Isabella arrived prematurely at 30 weeks in June and continues to receive care in the Neonatal Unit, 'growing stronger every day.'
'What should have been the happiest time of my life was shattered. I had been told that I wouldn't watch my daughter grow older, I wouldn't see her first day of school, I wouldn't be there for her first breakup, her wedding and everything else,' Tia said.
Creating Memories and Fundraising
Tia and Lewis married in hospital while she was undergoing treatment. After more than five months of hospitalisation, Tia has now been discharged. The family is desperately trying to create precious memories together. Tia has written letters for Isabella to open at ages 16, 18, and when she gets married, and is making a scrapbook of photos.
'My biggest fear is her not remembering me; remembering my voice, my touch, she will only be two years old when she loses me,' Tia said. 'I feel like I've already put my child through so much, I feel like the worst mother ever. I couldn't even paint her nursery or build her cot because I was stuck in hospital.'
The surprise pregnancy and cancer diagnosis have depleted the couple's savings. Lewis has taken on additional employment to support his wife and daughter, reducing time with his terminally ill wife. A fundraising appeal has been launched to help with essential costs, including making their home more accessible and covering hospital travel expenses.
Tia said: 'My whole life is upside down, I used to be such an independent woman and now I'm not even able to go to Tesco by myself. I don't want my daughter to remember me like this, I want to make memories and make our life as normal and good as possible.'
Relatives who operate Tess Riley's in Liverpool city centre have organised a fundraising evening on August 19, starting at 3pm. Tickets cost £10, with all proceeds going to Lewis, Tia, and Isabella.
