Kev Coles experienced severe stomach pain for months, which saw doctors prescribe him laxatives. He didn’t show typical symptoms of anything more sinister until his health rapidly declined
A father-of-seven was given the earth-shattering news that he only has “weeks to a few months to live” after being fobbed off with laxatives.
Kev Coles, 46, was tragically diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer last September. He had experienced persistent stomach pains, but as he didn’t exhibit the usual signs of the disease, he didn’t expect to receive such a sinister diagnosis. Wife Kayleigh Coles, 36, had encouraged him to get medical advice for the first time in July 2024 due to the discomfort, where he was reportedly initially turned away.
The couple, from Stoke-on-Trent, believed he might have gallstones or simply be dealing with something minor like constipation. Despite the increasing severity of his pain leading to multiple GP visits, Kayleigh claims Kev was merely prescribed laxatives and sent on his way.
On August 22, their concerns escalated dramatically when Kev began to sweat profusely and his complexion turned distinctly jaundiced. Recounting the worrying moment, Kayleigh said: “He started to sweat like someone was tipping water over him and when he looked at me I noticed that he had gone completely yellow. Then he just vomited.”
His awful battle culminated in the diagnosis in September, subsequent to their requests for a prompt scan which uncovered a nine-centimetre tumour invading his bowel. Doctors discovered the cancer had metastasized to his liver, which was the source of his yellowing skin.
Kev started chemotherapy in October, but after experiencing liver failure, he’s been tragically informed that he has just “weeks to a few months to live.” Now under end of life care at home, his family is reeling from the rapid decline in his health.
Kayleigh explained: “He didn’t have any of the other symptoms. The bowel cancer itself was symptomless, we only noticed once it spread to his liver. He never got blood in his stool like in the TV adverts.”
The situation has left everyone in disbelief. She said: “It has just been a shock to everybody. It doesn’t feel real most of the time. How can you get your head around something that happens this quickly.”
“Just five months ago we were on holiday splashing each other in the sea, now he can’t stand up unaided. Life has been extremely hard. I am just making sure that I have as many seconds with him as I can.”
Following his devastating diagnosis, Kev has lost 35kg and his ability to move freely. Now Kayleigh has launched a GoFundMe page seeking to cover family expenses and maintain Kev’s autonomy.
The crowdfunder has raised over £1,500 so far, which will contribute to home modifications such as installing a bed on the ground floor. Distraught Kayleigh is determined to draw attention to the condition, especially the unexpected nature of its symptoms.
The mother expressed her disappointment with the NHS, believing that earlier detection could have improved Kev’s treatment. She said: “It is so upsetting that he was sent away countless times with laxatives.
“It has been a whirlwind since the diagnosis. It is just such a shame that it wasn’t found sooner. It should have been taken more seriously when he first came in with stomach pain. It was a silly mistake, and a deadly one.
“It is now incurable. There isn’t anything that can be done to save him. I am having to lose my best friend because people didn’t listen to him. There needs to be more awareness. If you have a stomachache then get it checked out, and please don’t feel that you are being overbearing.”
Kev and Kayleigh, who met each other more than eight years ago in an unexpected moment at a train station, moved their wedding forward and exchanged vows in a heartfelt ceremony in December 2024 instead of the planned August nuptials. She shared: “We just didn’t want to not be man and wife anymore. We have always been very close but we are inseparable now.”
A representative for University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust said: “We would encourage Mr Coles to speak to our Patient Advice and Liaison Team to raise any concerns about care at UHNM so we can fully investigate.”