Family's warning as young dad dies one month after realising something was wrong
Dylan Thomas, 29, thought he had a simple stomach ache when he awoke in pain one morning, but doctors at King's Mill Hospital in Nottingham found he had developed severe acute pancreatitis and had to be put in a coma
A distraught family has issued a warning after a young father passed away from something that presented as a stomach ache.
Dylan Wakefield, 29, awoke with a "relentless searing pain" in the upper left side of his stomach and knew something was not right. His symptoms continued to worsen, so the dad-of-three drove himself to the hospital, where medics suspected he had developed gastritis - inflammation of the stomach. However, doctors later diagnosed him with severe acute pancreatitis.
Just three days later, doctors put him into a coma after his blood pressure plummeted. Two days later, Dylan - who worked as a pub landlord - awoke again and posted a message on social media telling pals it had been the "darkest chapter" of his life but that he would not be "giving up".
However, three weeks later he had to be put in a coma again and he tragically passed away on May 28.
While the cause of the pancreatitis hasn't yet been confirmed, his brother Nathan Lamb, 31, said it was likely due to his alcohol intake, warning people that it can have a devastating effect even at such a young age.
He said: "Dylan liked a drink but he was only 29 - issues like this you would think only start later in life. He has his whole future ahead of him - it is so unfair."
Nathan said: "The whole ordeal has been a massive shock - we didn't think he would die from this. He was so young - it is so unfair.
"He was such a lovely brother to all of his nine siblings - all he wanted was for people to be happy and enjoying themselves at all times. He loved his family - we are all devastated that this has happened."
Dylan was staying with his sister Caitlin Lamb, 27, when he woke with stomach ache on April 24 earlier this year. As the pain grew stronger Dylan decided to drive himself to King's Mill Hospital, in Nottingham, as he was "barely holding" himself together.
He was initially treated for gastritis until a couple of hours later he was diagnosed with acute severe necrotising pancreatitis. The condition is the result of a significant portion of the pancreatic tissue dying due to inflammation and impaired blood supply.
Once he arrived the dad was admitted into their care - but only three days later he was placed into an induced coma after his blood pressure dropped.
Nathan said: "The doctors told us it was to let his body rest. They attached him to several machines and told us they would be taking over to let Dylan's body focus on getting stronger."
To the family's delight Dylan awoke two days later on April 29. Nathan recalled his still being "very poorly" but his condition began to stabilse a little. During this time Dylan posted a heartbreaking Facebook message telling friends and family he is awake on May 9.
The message read: "What started as feeling unwell quickly became unbearable — a searing, relentless pain in my stomach that I knew wasn't normal. Paramedics told me I was okay, but something inside me said otherwise. I drove myself to the hospital, barely holding it together." Hours later, I was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis.
"My body began to shut down. The pain intensified. Things went from bad to life-threatening. I was put into a coma, and for days, my family watched helplessly, not knowing if I would ever wake up again. They prayed. I fought. On April 29th, I opened my eyes - but the fight is far from over.
"I'm still in the hospital. I'm still in pain. I can't walk. I can't eat. I'm facing a lifelong condition that has torn through my life in a matter of days. This has been the darkest chapter I've ever known — terrifying, humbling, and utterly heartbreaking. Thank you to everyone who's sent love, prayers, or even a thought my way. I'm still here and I'm not giving up."
From the message he received over 70 messages of support from his family and friends. But only three weeks later Dylan's health began to decline and he was placed into a second coma on May 25.
He later passed on May 28 - just over a month since he was admitted - leaving behind his three children. Nathan said the cause of the pancreatitis hasn't been confirmed - but he believes it was due to alcohol intake.
He said: "Dylan liked a drink but he was only 29 - issues like this you would think only start later in life. He has his whole future ahead of him - it is so unfair."
Nathan has also said he was told by doctors there is "no known treatment" for the disease - they could only manage the side effects of the condition as well as Dylan's pain.
Following Dylan's "shock" his friends have set up a crowdfund to help expense his funeral.
Nathan said: "His mum, Penelope, and his Grandma, Carol, miss him deeply. He has eight siblings and they all miss him. We were a very close family and they all meant the world to him. We had a typical brother relationship, but he was a very forgiving person and very loyal as well. He wanted everyone around him to be happy. He was energetic - he loved singing and karaoke, and he was the life and soul of the room.'
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Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Family's warning as young dad dies one month after realising something was wrong
Dylan Thomas, 29, thought he had a simple stomach ache when he awoke in pain one morning, but doctors at King's Mill Hospital in Nottingham found he had developed severe acute pancreatitis and had to be put in a coma A distraught family has issued a warning after a young father passed away from something that presented as a stomach ache. Dylan Wakefield, 29, awoke with a "relentless searing pain" in the upper left side of his stomach and knew something was not right. His symptoms continued to worsen, so the dad-of-three drove himself to the hospital, where medics suspected he had developed gastritis - inflammation of the stomach. However, doctors later diagnosed him with severe acute pancreatitis. Just three days later, doctors put him into a coma after his blood pressure plummeted. Two days later, Dylan - who worked as a pub landlord - awoke again and posted a message on social media telling pals it had been the "darkest chapter" of his life but that he would not be "giving up". However, three weeks later he had to be put in a coma again and he tragically passed away on May 28. While the cause of the pancreatitis hasn't yet been confirmed, his brother Nathan Lamb, 31, said it was likely due to his alcohol intake, warning people that it can have a devastating effect even at such a young age. He said: "Dylan liked a drink but he was only 29 - issues like this you would think only start later in life. He has his whole future ahead of him - it is so unfair." Nathan said: "The whole ordeal has been a massive shock - we didn't think he would die from this. He was so young - it is so unfair. "He was such a lovely brother to all of his nine siblings - all he wanted was for people to be happy and enjoying themselves at all times. He loved his family - we are all devastated that this has happened." Dylan was staying with his sister Caitlin Lamb, 27, when he woke with stomach ache on April 24 earlier this year. As the pain grew stronger Dylan decided to drive himself to King's Mill Hospital, in Nottingham, as he was "barely holding" himself together. He was initially treated for gastritis until a couple of hours later he was diagnosed with acute severe necrotising pancreatitis. The condition is the result of a significant portion of the pancreatic tissue dying due to inflammation and impaired blood supply. Once he arrived the dad was admitted into their care - but only three days later he was placed into an induced coma after his blood pressure dropped. Nathan said: "The doctors told us it was to let his body rest. They attached him to several machines and told us they would be taking over to let Dylan's body focus on getting stronger." To the family's delight Dylan awoke two days later on April 29. Nathan recalled his still being "very poorly" but his condition began to stabilse a little. During this time Dylan posted a heartbreaking Facebook message telling friends and family he is awake on May 9. The message read: "What started as feeling unwell quickly became unbearable — a searing, relentless pain in my stomach that I knew wasn't normal. Paramedics told me I was okay, but something inside me said otherwise. I drove myself to the hospital, barely holding it together." Hours later, I was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. "My body began to shut down. The pain intensified. Things went from bad to life-threatening. I was put into a coma, and for days, my family watched helplessly, not knowing if I would ever wake up again. They prayed. I fought. On April 29th, I opened my eyes - but the fight is far from over. "I'm still in the hospital. I'm still in pain. I can't walk. I can't eat. I'm facing a lifelong condition that has torn through my life in a matter of days. This has been the darkest chapter I've ever known — terrifying, humbling, and utterly heartbreaking. Thank you to everyone who's sent love, prayers, or even a thought my way. I'm still here and I'm not giving up." From the message he received over 70 messages of support from his family and friends. But only three weeks later Dylan's health began to decline and he was placed into a second coma on May 25. He later passed on May 28 - just over a month since he was admitted - leaving behind his three children. Nathan said the cause of the pancreatitis hasn't been confirmed - but he believes it was due to alcohol intake. He said: "Dylan liked a drink but he was only 29 - issues like this you would think only start later in life. He has his whole future ahead of him - it is so unfair." Nathan has also said he was told by doctors there is "no known treatment" for the disease - they could only manage the side effects of the condition as well as Dylan's pain. Following Dylan's "shock" his friends have set up a crowdfund to help expense his funeral. Nathan said: "His mum, Penelope, and his Grandma, Carol, miss him deeply. He has eight siblings and they all miss him. We were a very close family and they all meant the world to him. We had a typical brother relationship, but he was a very forgiving person and very loyal as well. He wanted everyone around him to be happy. He was energetic - he loved singing and karaoke, and he was the life and soul of the room.'
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17 hours ago
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Nathan said his brother Dylan "liked a drink" like most Brits, but he had no idea it might help kill him before the age of 30 SUDDEN LOSS Dad, 29, died when his pancreas began rotting 'due to drinking' after posting a heartbreaking Facebook message A "BELOVED" dad died just weeks after complaining of a stomach ache. Dylan Thomas Wakefield, 29, knew something wasn't right when he woke up with a "relentless searing pain" in his upper left side. Advertisement 12 Dylan Thomas Wakefield in a coma next to his brother Nathan and mum Penelope Credit: SWNS 12 The dad-of-three died just weeks after driving himself to hospital with a stomach ache Credit: SWNS After his symptoms worsened, the dad-of-three drove himself to hospital, where he was admitted with suspected gastritis - when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed. But three days later, the pub landlord's blood pressure dropped "dangerously low" and he was diagnosed with severe acute pancreatitis and put into a coma. Acute pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas - a small organ located behind the stomach that helps with digestion - becomes swollen over a short period of time. Most patients recover within a week, but it can trigger life-threatening complications. Advertisement Dylan woke up two days later and posted a heartbreaking message on social media. He revealed to friends that this was "the darkest chapter" of his life, but that he was "not giving up". Sadly, three weeks later he was put back into a coma and died on May 28. His brother Nathan Lamb, 31, said: "The whole ordeal has been a massive shock - we didn't think he would die from this. Advertisement "He was so young - it is so unfair. "He was such a lovely brother to all of his nine siblings - all he wanted was for people to be happy and enjoying themselves at all times. Mum, 38, left 'minutes away from death' and forced to relearn to walk after dismissing 'harmless' symptoms of flesh-eating bug "He loved his family. We are all devastated that this has happened." Dylan was staying with his sister Caitlin Lamb, 27, when he woke up with stomach ache on April 24. Advertisement As he was "barely holding himself together", he decided to drive himself to King's Mill Hospital in Nottingham. Nathan says his brother was initially treated for gastritis until he was diagnosed with acute severe necrotising pancreatitis. His pancreas had reportedly lost blood supply and some of the tissue had started to rot and die. When this happens, the pancreas can become infected, which can spread into the blood (sepsis) and cause organ failure. Advertisement To "allow his body to rest", Dylan was placed into an induced coma. "They attached him to several machines and told us they would be taking over to let Dylan's body focus on getting stronger," Nathan said. Dylan liked a drink but he was only 29 - you would think issues like this only start later in life. It is so unfair Nathan Lamb To the family's delight, Dylan woke up two days later on April 29. He was still "very poorly", but his condition slowly started to stabilise. Advertisement During this time, Dylan wrote to family and friends on Facebook. The message on May 9 read: "What started as feeling unwell quickly became unbearable - a searing, relentless pain in my stomach that I knew wasn't normal. "Paramedics told me I was OK, but something inside me said otherwise. "I drove myself to the hospital, barely holding it together. Advertisement "Hours later, I was diagnosed with pancreatitis. "My body began to shut down. The pain intensified. Things went from bad to life-threatening. 12 Dylan knew something wasn't right when he woke up with a 'relentless searing pain' Credit: SWNS 12 The dad, pictured with his mum Penelope, was first treated for gastritis Credit: SWNS Advertisement 12 He was later diagnosed with pancreatitis and put into a coma Credit: SWNS 12 Dylan on FaceTime with his mum after waking from a coma Credit: SWNS "I was put into a coma, and for days, my family watched helplessly, not knowing if I would ever wake up again. They prayed. I fought. "On April 29, I opened my eyes - but the fight is far from over. Advertisement "I'm still in the hospital. I'm still in pain. I can't walk. I can't eat. I'm facing a lifelong condition that has torn through my life in a matter of days. "This has been the darkest chapter I've ever known - terrifying, humbling, and utterly heartbreaking. "Thank you to everyone who's sent love, prayers, or even a thought my way. I'm still here and I'm not giving up." Warning signs of acute pancreatitis ACUTE pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed (swollen) over a short period of time. The most common symptoms include: A sudden, severe pain in the centre of your tummy Feeling or being sick A high temperature of 38C or more Acute pancreatitis is often linked to gallstones or drinking too much alcohol, but sometimes the cause is not known. By reducing how much booze you consume and altering your diet to make gallstones less likely (for example, by eating a balanced diet with at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and including plenty of whole grains like oats and brown rice), you can reduce your chances of developing acute pancreatitis. Most patients get better within a week, but it can lead to severe complications in some cases. This includes sacs of fluid called pseudocysts, which can cause bloating and indigestion, and necrosis, where the pancreas loses blood supply and some of the tissue starts to die. When this happens, the pancreas can become infected, which can spread into the blood (sepsis) and cause organ failure. Source: NHS He received more than 70 messages in response. Advertisement But three weeks later, Dylan's health began to decline and he was placed into a second coma on May 25. He died three days later - just over a month after being admitted. He is survived by his three children, Lily, 12, Layton, nine, and six-year-old Kingston. Nathan says the cause of his "beloved" brother's pancreatitis hasn't been confirmed, but he believes it was due to his alcohol intake. Advertisement Booze is one of the most common causes of the condition, as well as gallstones, according to the NHS. 'We miss him deeply' "Dylan liked a drink but he was only 29 - you would think issues like this only start later in life," Nathan said. "He had his whole future ahead of him - it is so unfair." Nathan added that doctors told him there was "no known treatment" for Dylan's condition, and they could only manage the side effects, as well as his pain. Advertisement Following the shock loss, a fundraising page has been set up to help pay for his funeral. Nathan said: "His mum Penelope and his grandma Carol miss him deeply. "He has eight siblings and they all miss him. We are a very close family and they all meant the world to him. "We had a typical brother relationship, but he was a very forgiving person and very loyal as well. Advertisement "He wanted everyone around him to be happy. "He was energetic - he loved singing and karaoke, and he was the life and soul of the room." 12 Dylan passed away on May 28, just weeks after being admitted to hospital Credit: SWNS 12 The dad is survived by his three children, Lily, 12, Layton, nine, and six-year-old Kingston Credit: SWNS Advertisement 12 Dylan with his heartbroken mum in hospital Credit: SWNS 12 Dylan and his grandma, Carol, who 'misses him deeply' Credit: SWNS 12 Dylan, Nathan, and Penelope on his mum's wedding day Credit: SWNS 12 'He had his whole future ahead of him - it is so unfair,' Nathan said Credit: SWNS Advertisement
