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British Father Dies Suddenly on Bulgaria Holiday After Suspecting Food Poisoning
A family holiday turned tragic when a 35-year-old father, initially thought to be suffering from food poisoning, unexpectedly died just 36 hours later. Andrejs Glazyrina succumbed to sudden pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. This critical organ is essential for digestion and regulating blood sugar. While heavy alcohol consumption or gallstones are common triggers, pancreatitis can also arise spontaneously and, although typically not fatal, proved deadly in this instance. The family was vacationing in Bulgaria when the incident occurred.
Holiday Illness Turns Fatal
Initial Symptoms Misdiagnosed
Mr. Glazyrina was in Bulgaria with his wife, Katerina, and their five-year-old daughter, Lizzie, in January when he became unwell. The day before their scheduled return to London, he complained of mild abdominal discomfort. Initially, they attributed his condition to a recent episode of food poisoning. However, within hours, the pain intensified and spread to his back, and his abdomen became sensitive to touch.
Seeking Medical Assistance
Mrs. Glazyrina sought medication from a local pharmacy, but the remedies provided no relief. Observing her husband’s increasingly pale complexion, they made the decision to cancel their flight home and urgently request emergency medical services.
Hospital Diagnosis and Rapid Deterioration
Upon arrival of paramedics, Mr. Glazyrina was found to have dangerously low blood pressure and was promptly transported to Burgas Hospital for assessment. Medical examinations confirmed a diagnosis of pancreatitis.
One morning, before leaving her husband’s bedside, Mrs. Glazyrina received reassurance from him that he would “be home soon” and should not worry.
Tragically, upon her return to the hospital later the same day, she received the devastating news that her husband had been transferred to intensive care due to multiple organ dysfunction, stemming from acute pancreatitis.
The following morning, hospital staff delivered the heartbreaking news to Mrs. Glazyrina: her husband had passed away during the night.
Grief and Community Support
“Hardest Day of My Life”
“It was the most difficult day of my life,” Mrs. Glazyrina recounted. “I don’t know how I managed to endure it. It’s as if you embarked on holiday, only to find you can never return to the life you had built together.”
Left a grieving widow, she explained the immediate necessity to handle the complex arrangements for repatriating her husband’s remains, while also focusing on supporting their young daughter.
“You are compelled to discover strength,” Mrs. Glazyrina stated. “(Grief) alters you daily… The loss is relived every day — when you look at your child and yearn to share a moment with him, the loss resurfaces. Every reminder brings the pain anew.”
Community Rallies to Support Family
Since Mr. Glazyrina’s untimely death, their community in Hackney, East London, has offered considerable support, raising over £12,500 through an online fundraising campaign on GoFundMe.
Mrs. Glazyrina expressed profound gratitude: “The community’s response has been incredible. I never anticipated such generosity. I am simply thankful, that is all I can convey.”
Raising Pancreatitis Awareness
Sharing Her Story
Despite her profound sorrow, Mrs. Glazyrina is determined to share her experience to provide solace to others facing similar tragedies and to increase public knowledge regarding the indicators of pancreatitis.
Recognizing Pancreatitis Symptoms
According to NHS guidance, symptoms of pancreatitis include:
- Sudden, intense pain in the central abdomen
- Nausea or vomiting
- Elevated body temperature (38°C or higher)
The National Health Service recommends seeking immediate medical attention from a General Practitioner (GP) if experiencing sudden, severe abdominal pain. If GP access is not immediately possible, individuals are advised to contact NHS 111 for guidance.