I was constipated — now I have just weeks to live

A dad who suspected he had gallstones or was constipated has tragically been told he has “weeks to a few months to live” – after his condition was revealed to be bowel cancer.

Kev Coles, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs., was diagnosed with stage four cancer in September last year after months of stomach pain.

The 46-year-old dad-of-seven says he suffered none of the typical symptoms for bowel cancer – so was shocked when doctors told him the severity of his illness.

Wife Kayleigh Coles, 36, encouraged him to visit the doctors over the pain for the first time in July 2024 – where she claims he was sent away. 

The couple originally suspected he was suffering from gallstones or a blockage, like constipation.

However, due to the pain worsening, they visited the GP several more times where Kayleigh says Kev was prescribed laxatives and repeatedly sent home. 

But on August 22, things took a turn for the worst when Kev started sweating “like he was under a shower” and his skin turned yellow.

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.”

After weeks of insisting on an immediate scan, Kev received his devastating diagnosis in September last year, where doctors found a nine centimetre tumour in his bowel. 

The scan also revealed that the cancer had spread to his liver, which was causing his yellow skin. 

Kev began chemotherapy in October but, having now suffered liver failure he has been told that he only has “weeks to a few months to live” and is receiving end of life care at home. 

Kayleigh added: “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.

“It has just been a shock to everybody. Even now it feels like a story. 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.”

Since his diagnosis, the dad has lost 35kg and has been struggling with his mobility. 

Kayleigh has now set up a GoFundMe page to aid with family expenses and help Kev to keep his independence. 

So far the page has raised over £1,500 which will go towards specialised Chemo clothes, as well as adaptations to their home- such as getting a bed downstairs.

Kayleigh also says that she wants to raise awareness for the condition, and how symptoms aren’t always what you expect. 

The mum says she feels let down by the NHS, as if they had spotted it sooner, he could have been in a better position.

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 over eight years ago at a train station, were set to be married in August of this year. 

But, with Kev’s diagnosis, the couple decided not to wait and had a small ceremony in December 2024. 

Kayleigh said: “We just didn’t want to not be man and wife anymore. We have always been very close but we are inseparable now.”

A spokesperson 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.”