Firefighter Dad Thought To Be Suffering Gallstones Dies 3 Months After Wedding
September 26, 2018
Dean Patten's widow describes him as a hero. Not just for how the brave firefighter lived his life. But also for how the father-of-two faced his death when suspected gallstones turned out to be something far more deadly -- pancreatic cancer.
Father-of-two Dean Patten died on September 14, 2018, at the age of 45. His death came as a devastating shock to friends and family who described Dean as a true "family man" with a "lust for life."
RELATED: Dad’s Final Moments Caught In Photo Just Before He Loses Life Saving Son
Dean's widow, Nicola, says Dean could never sit still. He was always on the move and couldn't do enough for anyone. So, when his health declined so abruptly, it must have come as a big surprise.
Suspected Gallstones Lead To Devastating Diagnosis
Dean, from Somerset, England, headed to the doctor when he noticed he'd become jaundiced. The doctors suspected gallstones as the culprit behind his yellowish coloring. They performed an ultrasound to confirm.
But that's when something far more serious presented itself.
Dean's problem was actually the result of pancreatic cancer, which sadly had already spread to his liver. After the shocking diagnosis, delivered in April 2018, doctors gave Dean just six to eight months left to live.
RELATED: Pancreatic Cancer Stage 3 Diagnosis Has Dad Fighting to Stay in Daughter’s Life
It's the kind of news that puts everything into perspective. But what's amazing is the positive way the 45-year-old embraced his death.
Dean, affectionately called Deano by friends, was a father to Eleanor, 12, and Max, 6. He'd spent the previous 6 years proudly serving as a firefighter, a job he loved.
"He didn't have a bucket list and said he had no regrets with the life he had led," Nicola said.
There was only one thing left to do before he left this world. Marry the love of his life.
Dying Firefighter Says 'I Do'
Nicola and Dean met and fell in love in 2002. And after 16 beautiful years together, Dean wanted to make sure Nicola became his wife before he died.
RELATED: Nurses Help Grant A Dying Man’s Wish To Marry The Love Of His Life
Friends and family helped pull things together. And in June 2018, Nicola and Dean enjoyed "the most amazing wedding."
Just a few months later, things took a turn for the worst.
In July, Dean came down with pneumonia. The illness left him so weak, they couldn't move forward with the chemotherapy planned. And by the end of August, Dean's condition only continued to deteriorate. He was so weak, doctors put him in hospice care in early September and he was gone soon after.
A Life Well-Lived
Nicola announced her husband's passing in a moving tribute on Facebook.
"Dean was my everything and throughout his short battle with cancer he showed us all the hero he really was," she said.
Messages of condolences and support poured in for Dean's grieving widow, which Nicola said meant the world to her. So many shared memories of what an incredible role model Dean was while alive. And the beauty of a life well-lived is that no matter when or how it ends, it leaves behind a legacy of inspiration for others.
We're told in James 4:14 that our life is just a mist, appearing for a little while and then vanishing. The key (and often our struggle) is to make the most of each and every day. What an inspiration Dean is for doing just that!
And thanks to the saving love of Jesus Christ, our death here on earth is not the end.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Man Ignored Pain for Years But Then Has Over 4,000 Gallstones Removed In Surgery
" 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15: 55-57
h/t: Daily Mail
Featured Image Credit: SomersetLive
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
- Rock Singer's Powerful Rendition of 'I Will Always Love You'
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.