Kris Cooke, 46, was rushed to hospital with shortness of breath and back pain
A plasterer who believed his back pain stemmed from a pulled muscle or an awkward night’s sleep has been told he has months left to live. Kris Cooke, 46, endured several months of discomfort before seeking medical attention, putting it down to the wear and tear of everyday life.
However, on January 13 the plasterer from Erith, south east London, was taken to hospital with breathlessness and pain in the upper right of his back. X-rays showed that his left lung had collapsed and he had numerous blood clots around his heart, along with a mass on his pancreas.
Days later, he received the shattering news that this mass was advanced pancreatic cancer and he was referred to palliative care. His close friend Louise Comiskey, 43, from Dartford, Kent, says the diagnosis came as a complete shock to everyone, as Kris was incredibly healthy and followed a vegan diet.
She said: “He had a slight back pain for the last couple of months, but assumed it was a pulled muscle. He figured he pulled it at work or just slept funny because he just got a new mattress.
“Obviously it was very concerning and upsetting for everybody involved. It is devastating. The cancer is aggressive and quick.
“He is a very kind and beautiful soul. He is such a well-loved, well-liked, fun, easygoing, person. He has been so busy with people trying to visit him.
“We are just very shocked. He is vegan, he does yoga and he has never had a health issue.”
Kris had been attempting to conceive a child with his long-term partner Maria, who is the sister of his late childhood best mate, and the couple were scheduled to wed. Therefore, on Monday, January 19, they held a wedding ceremony in his hospital ward, wanting to marry whilst they still had the chance.
Tragically, the following day Kris received the devastating news that the cancer had metastasised to his liver and he now has just six to 12 months left to live.
His wife Maria, 42, who is a mother-of-three, said: “It was a ridiculous shock. We are trying to cope as well as we can. He went to hospital because he thought he had strained a muscle.
“He was super healthy, he is a vegetarian, he doesn’t eat any processed food. He was really careful about what he eats.
“We wanted to get married anyway, that was the plan. Kris had found a ring. But when we found out the news, we just didn’t know how much time he had. We thought let’s just do it now.
“It was nice. It wasn’t what we wanted, but we are happy that we are married.”
Currently, Kris is receiving chemotherapy to prolong his life for as long as possible, but he is profoundly exhausted and taking substantial amounts of morphine for the pain. Louise and several of his other mates have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover Kris’ funeral costs and support his family. The page has already accumulated over £5,500, which Louise attributes to him being a “social butterfly” who everyone adores.
She added: “When the doctors said he wasn’t going to survive this he was very upset and almost catatonic at the time. Now he is trying to be positive and extend his life for as long as he can.
“He is a strong man. We just want the world for him. He just wants his partner not to have to worry about money. This is all very sudden. He just wants to look after his family.
“We started a GoFundMe page and within the first three days we got £5,000, which was amazing. He obviously never anticipated having to plan his own funeral.”
Kris’ loved ones are now attempting to urge others to get their pains examined, emphasising that this can strike anyone.
Maria, who works as a full-time carer, said: “He wants builders especially to be more aware. He worked as a builder for years and they are used to having injuries and back pain. They need to stop ignoring it and get checked out.”
Louise added: “It can happen to anybody. If you have an ache, even if you are fit and well, don’t ignore it. Always get checked out.”
