Plasterer's Routine Back Pain Reveals Devastating Diagnosis
Working long, physically demanding hours as a plasterer, Kris Cooke was accustomed to the typical aches and pains of his trade. When discomfort persisted in recent months, the 46-year-old from Erith, southeast London, initially dismissed it as muscle strain or poor sleep. This assumption proved tragically wrong when a sudden episode of severe shortness of breath and sharp pain in his upper back forced an emergency hospital visit earlier this month.
A Shocking Medical Revelation
Medical examinations delivered a series of crushing blows. X-rays revealed his left lung had collapsed, with multiple blood clots surrounding his heart. Most devastatingly, scans identified a significant lump on his pancreas. Within days, specialists confirmed this was advanced pancreatic cancer, and Mr Cooke was referred to palliative care with a prognosis of less than one year to live.
Speaking on behalf of her close friend, Louise Comiskey, 43, from Dartford, Kent, described the diagnosis as a profound shock. "He had a slight back pain for the last couple of months but assumed it was a pulled muscle," she said. "He figured he pulled it at work or just slept funny. Obviously it was very concerning and upsetting for everybody involved. The cancer is aggressive and quick."
Friends and family were doubly stunned given Mr Cooke's conscientious lifestyle. "He is a very kind and beautiful soul," Ms Comiskey added. "We are just very shocked. He is vegan, he does yoga, and he has never had a health issue."
A Hospital Room Wedding Amidst Heartbreak
The diagnosis arrived as Mr Cooke and his long-term partner, Maria, were planning their future. The couple, who had been trying for a baby, were engaged and preparing for marriage. Maria, 42, a mother-of-three and full-time carer, is the sister of Mr Cooke's late childhood best friend.
Determined to fulfil their dream despite the grim prognosis, they organised an impromptu wedding ceremony in his hospital room on Monday. "We wanted to get married anyway, that was the plan," Maria explained. "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."
Tragically, the following day brought further devastating news: scans showed the cancer had already spread to his liver, tightening his prognosis to just six to twelve months.
Treatment, Support, and a Vital Warning
Mr Cooke is now undergoing chemotherapy in an effort to extend his life, though the treatment leaves him extremely fatigued and reliant on morphine for pain management. To support him and his new wife, friends have established a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral costs and provide financial assistance. The campaign has already raised over £5,500, a testament to the affection he commands.
"When the doctors said he wasn't going to survive this he was very upset," Ms Comiskey revealed. "Now he is trying to be positive and extend his life for as long as he can. He is a strong man. He just wants his partner not to have to worry about money."
From his hospital bed, Mr Cooke and his loved ones are issuing a stark public health warning, particularly to those in physically demanding trades. "He wants builders especially to be more aware," said Mrs Cooke. "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 Comiskey echoed this urgent message: "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."
The Silent Killer: Understanding Pancreatic Cancer
Often dubbed the 'silent killer' due to its subtle, easily-missed symptoms, pancreatic cancer claims approximately 100,000 lives in the UK annually—equating to one death every hour. It is among 14 cancers currently on the rise nationally.
The pancreas is a vital gland that aids digestion and produces hormones like insulin. Cancer can disrupt these functions, leading to unstable blood sugar levels. Common warning signs extend beyond back pain to include:
- Unexplained indigestion or bloating
- Loss of appetite and fatigue
- High temperature, nausea, or sickness
- Diarrhoea or constipation
Approximately 10,500 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK each year. The statistics are sobering: more than half of patients die within three months of diagnosis, and less than eleven per cent survive for five years. A major factor is late detection; around 80 per cent of cases are only identified after the cancer has spread, rendering life-saving treatment impossible. Research indicates that over half of patients diagnosed with the six 'least curable' cancers, including pancreatic, die within a year.
Mr Cooke's story is a poignant reminder that persistent pain, however minor it may seem, warrants professional medical attention.
