Thouhida Chowdhury, 29, known as Tia, received a devastating terminal lung cancer diagnosis during her second trimester of pregnancy, with doctors giving her just two to three years to live. Her four-week-old daughter Isabella will be only two years old when she loses her mother.
Diagnosis During Pregnancy
Tia, from Liverpool city centre, and her husband Lewis, 29, had been overjoyed when they discovered they were expecting their first child in November last year. However, Tia had been experiencing symptoms she believed were a chest infection for around six months, undergoing multiple courses of antibiotics without improvement.
During her final round of antibiotics, Tia's mother noticed her daughter's complexion "turning blue" while they were having dinner and rushed her to A&E. Tia remained at the Royal Liverpool Hospital for the following five months. A CT scan revealed inflamed lymph nodes and a collapsed left lung. Doctors initially suggested it could be tuberculosis or cancer, but a biopsy confirmed lung cancer.
Prognosis and Emotional Impact
When Tia asked for her prognosis, the oncologist told her she had two to three years. "My whole world felt like it fell apart in that moment," she said. She was told the disease was untreatable, but chemotherapy could slow its progression; without it, she would have eight to 12 months.
"I remember feeling numb and asking a lot of questions. Then, it was like a dam, I started crying and didn't stop for hours," Tia recalled. She then had to break the news to her husband and family.
At just 14 weeks pregnant, Tia faced the reality that she would not see her daughter grow up. "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."
Creating Memories
"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. The family is creating a scrapbook and taking photographs of everything and everyone so Isabella can keep those memories. Tia has also written letters for her daughter to open at ages 16, 18, and on her wedding day.
Isabella was born prematurely at 30 weeks while Tia underwent chemotherapy in hospital in June. The baby remains in the Neonatal Unit, "growing stronger every day." After more than five months as an inpatient, Tia has been discharged from hospital.
Financial Strain and Fundraising
The unexpected pregnancy and cancer diagnosis have drained the couple's savings. Lewis has taken on additional work to support his wife and daughter, reducing precious time with his terminally ill partner. The family is raising funds to cover home accessibility modifications and hospital travel expenses.
"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," Tia said. "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."
An online fundraiser has been set up to help create precious memories with Isabella. Additionally, relatives who run Tess Riley's in Liverpool city centre have organized a fundraising evening on August 19, starting at 3pm, with entry costing £10. All proceeds will go directly to Lewis, Tia, and Isabella.
