‘Baby’ scan revealed fatal cancer
AWOMAN who thought she was pregnant has died after a scan revealed her “baby bump” was a cancerous tumour.
Baiba Kraupsa was 24 when her visible “bump” appeared.
Having been nervous about telling her family, Ms Kraupsa eventually broke the news to her mother Iveta Kraupsa, who was delighted and immediately began planning shopping trips for baby clothes.
But joy turned to horror when a subsequent scan revealed that Ms Kraupsa was not expecting a baby, but living with an aggressive cancer.
Tributes have now been paid to the former bartender after she died on July 22.
The Latvian-born 25-year-old studied psychology at Swansea University and was a popular member of staff at the city’s Jack Murphys bar on Wind Street.
Chris Young, 39, from Colchester, was the bar manager at Jack Murphys who recruited Baiba in 2013, where she became known as “BB”.
He said: “BB was a free spirit who travelled the world, was incredibly smart, sharp witted and funny. She was selfless and caring always put other people first. More than a co-worker, she was part of the Jack Murphys family and was loved by all.”
Chris said Baiba’s selfless nature was epitomised by her travels around the world.
He recalled: “It was getting close to her birthday. She didn’t usually ask for anything for her birthday, but this time she rang her mum while in Morocco and requested some clothes to be sent to a Moroccan address,” he said.
“On her birthday, her mum rang her up and asked her how the clothes were. However, Baiba was no longer in Morocco. She wanted the clothes for a poor family, who had been kind and had let her stay at theirs.”
Ciara O’Sullivan, 28, from Dublin, was also a bartender at Jack Murphys, where she met Baiba. The pair became good friends and eventually housemates.
She said: “BB had a beautiful soul and saw the beauty in everything. She was so much fun and a free spirit.
“If it was raining we would stay in and talk and if it was sunny, we would always go down to Swansea Beach – she loved the sun.”
When staff at Jack Murphys found out that Baiba’s illness was terminal, they helped her get back to south Wales for her birthday from Ireland where she was living.
They also bought tickets for her to watch the Ireland v Wales Six Nations game, where she got the chance to meet the players.
Mrs Kraupsa described her daughter as a “strong feminist” who “respected all people” and looked out for her younger sister, 23-year-old Biruta Kraupsa.
“It’s just very hard but I feel her in my heart and she is with me all the time.
“When I look out into the rain and see a rainbow – that’s her.”
Baiba is now buried in Ireland, where her grave overlooks farmland. Chris said this is perfect because she “loved to be around nature”.