Man with months to live after being told he had IBS goes to his own wake

Man with months to live after being told he had IBS goes to his own wake Austen vows not to waste a single minute of the time he has left A man who has months to live had his very own "living wake" at a pub with his best mates. Austen Cole, 55, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that had spread to his liver and lymph nodes, in May. He had been dismissed by doctors who told him his symptoms were IBS, for more than six months. The now retired self-employed ceramic tiler was later told the cancer was incurable and gave him less than 12 months to live. But instead of being miserable, the dad-of-two said he has a "spring in his step" and is trying to be "as positive as possible". This included him having his own "leaving do" at his favourite pub The Dove, in Newport Pagnell, in Milton Keynes. He was joined by over 200 of his family, best pals, colleagues, and partner 50-year-old Tracey Nash. Describing the night Austen said: "It was amazing and I loved every minute of it. There was so much laughter, love and fun. I saw people I hadn’t seen since primary school – I couldn’t believe how many people came. The pub was packed. "Tracey wanted to call it a celebration of my life but I called it my leaving do. It seemed right It was almost like a wedding because I spent the whole time going round talking to everyone. "It was only as people left that it became more like a funeral and there were some tears. The leaving do started at 2.30pm and Tracey and I were the last ones standing at midnight… I can honestly say I loved being at my own wake. Why would I want to miss it?” Alongside his partner Tracey, he will also leave behind his daughter Lois Cole, 28, and son 30-year-old Lloyd Cole. The dad said Lloyd and Lois thought the wake was a "brilliant idea" and "enjoyed the day". Talking about the day his partner Tracy said: "It was truly amazing to see how many people came to celebrate Austen and be part of such a special day. The atmosphere was incredible, but what made it so meaningful was hearing so many people share their stories and memories of Austen. "It gave everyone the chance to say the things they may have otherwise regretted never making the time to say. It was incredibly heartwarming to see Austen surrounded by so many of the friends he had made throughout the years, watching him laugh, smile and add to the stories and memories they were reminiscing about together. "But my favourite part of the whole evening was seeing Austen realise just how deeply loved he is, and just how much of an impact he has had on so many people’s lives." Austen vows not to waste a single minute of the time he has left. He has revealed how he has selflessly decided to make his three-bedroom home perfect for Tracey, a hairdresser, to maintain when she is alone. He had built a 4x3 metre extension, done painting and decorating work in their living room and hallway, as well as erecting new fencing, even though he is in pain and on morphine. He said: "I want it all to be in excellent order for Tracey so she needn’t worry about it.” He has also looking forward to trips away including to Alton Towers and Jersey. He said: "Weirdly people keep saying how well I look, even though I’m dying. I could have had chemo but it would only delay things by a couple of months and probably make me feel even worse. So decided instead not to mope around but to make the most of every day I have left. “I’ve lost weight but I try to be outside as much as I can so I look tanned and healthy rather than pale and pasty. It all helps! The way I see it is that I’ve been dealt a card and I have this illness but I’m not going to let it rule what life I have left. I can still be happy. "Maybe that attitude is even paying off. Who knows, this time next year I might be holding a ‘Stuff You’ party to terminal cancer!”