Brain cancer-stricken father, 40, dies just weeks after fulfilling last wish to ... trends now
A widow has told of her grief at her cancer-stricken husband dying just weeks after he fulfilled his last wish of getting married.
Paul Jeffries, from Birmingham, received a shock glioblastoma diagnosis in 2017 after suffering a series of seizures.
Told he likely had just 18 months left, the line engineer proposed to his partner of 17 years Kelly and began planning their wedding.
Typical treatment plans for the 'aggressive' tumour — which strikes around 3,000 Brits and 12,000 Americans each year — sees patients have surgery before chemo and radiotherapy. This is still the same way it was treated in the early 2000s.
But after enduring two craniotomies — surgery to remove part of the bone from the skull — radiotherapy and chemotherapy, he defied expectations, surviving for four years.
Paul Jeffries, from Birmingham , received a shock glioblastoma diagnosis in 2017 after suffering a series of seizures. Told he likely had just 18 months left, the line engineer proposed to his partner of 17 years Kelly and began planning their wedding
Typical treatment plans for the 'aggressive' tumour — which strikes around 3,000 Brits and 12,000 Americans each year — sees patients have surgery before chemo and radiotherapy. This is still the same way it was treated in the early 2000s. Pictured, the couple with their three children - Leah, 18, Josh, 16, and Charlie, 10. They all wore blue in a nod to Paul's beloved Birmingham City FC
After enduring two craniotomies — surgery to remove part of the bone from the skull — radiotherapy and chemotherapy, he defied expectations, surviving for four years. Pictured, Paul with Kelly
When his health declined in January 2021, the couple decided to finally wed in an intimate ceremony surrounded by their children, despite Covid restrictions.
He died three months later in April and never made it to a London clinical trial he was put forward for.
Speaking about her husband's death, Mrs Jeffries, a former cleaner for Royal Mail, said: 'We'd previously spoken about marriage and after he was diagnosed he proposed to me.
'We planned it all out and had everything booked but then Covid restrictions saw our arrangements cancelled.
'It was our wish to marry before he died and as Paul became really poorly, we were able to get married with special circumstances.'
After suddenly suffering a month of seizures, Mrs Jeffries claim the couple were told in early 2017 that he had a low-grade brain tumour. Within two months he underwent surgery to remove the mass. But results of a biopsy confirmed the tumour was in fact grade four — the most aggressive and serious type. Pictured, Mr Jeffries after his first surgery
The wedding, at Sutton Coldfield's Lea Marston Hotel, was 'truly the best under the circumstances', she added.
'I was emotional throughout but having Paul by my side was so special and to be married was what we both wanted.'
After suddenly suffering a month of seizures, Mrs Jeffries claim the couple were told in early 2017 that he had a low-grade brain tumour.
The tumours are graded one to four according to their behaviour, such as the speed at which they are growing.
Within two months, Mr Jeffries underwent surgery to remove the mass.
But a biopsy
