Joe Readman, 28, was diagnosed earlier this month after going to the doctor about a painless lump in his groin
A budding actor has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer following symptoms including night sweats and fainting episodes. Joe Readman, 28, received his Burkitt’s Lymphoma diagnosis earlier this month after visiting his doctor about a painless lump in his groin.
The London-based performer informed his GP that the growth had been there for three weeks, during which time Joe had collapsed once and was suffering from night sweats. The GP sent him to a specialist, but Joe rapidly became severely unwell and rushed to A&E for emergency treatment.
“I first started noticing a lump in my groin – but I know that you can have swollen lymph nodes for two weeks with an infection,” Joe said. “It went on for three weeks, so I decided to get it checked. I’d also passed out for the first time in my life during these three weeks, so I knew that was a cause for concern, and I went to the doctors. She asked if I had itchy skin – which I had on my chest and where my socks had been.
“She asked if I’d been having night sweats. This was at the peak of the heatwave, so I said yes, but I wasn’t sure if it was because of the heat.
“That led to me going further and getting a lymph node diagnostic at the hospital. After this, I ended up getting really sick for two weeks. I did go to A&E because I thought I wasn’t going to make it – it was that bad.”
Joe was discharged from A&E after being told his white blood count was low and advised to wait for his next appointment later in the week. His GP had suggested a biopsy and an ultrasound, but upon arrival at the appointment, Joe was informed he would have to wait several weeks.
Joe, who is currently juggling a job in hospitality with West End auditions, managed to expedite the process and received his diagnosis the following week.
“I got to my appointment and I thought I was going to be having a biopsy and an ultrasound, because that’s what I’d been sent there for,” Joe explained. “But I got there for them to tell me that they were booking me in.
“I told them I was under the impression that’s what I was there for. I had been really sick for two weeks, not been able to work, and I can’t afford to miss work without a good enough reason.
“Thankfully, the doctor understood my situation and managed to get me in that day and I’m so glad, because it put me a week ahead of my diagnosis. During my ultrasound, he noticed that the lymph node was swollen, with a textured edge, which gave cause for concern.
“I ended up having specialised blood tests and a biopsy and found out my diagnosis a week after. The fact I had to push in order to get diagnosed is a bit worrying, because if I hadn’t been like that, I could have been two or three weeks later finding out, and been in a lot worse of a situation than I am currently.”
Joe was swiftly put on his first of four chemotherapy rounds, with each lasting between one and two weeks. Anxious that his life-saving treatment will keep him off work for three to four months, Joe has launched a fundraiser to cover his bills and travel costs during recovery. He has lodged PIP claims and contacted charities for assistance, but says he’s yet to receive any replies.
“It’s definitely been rough,” said Joe. “I didn’t expect it to be easy, but it’s also been a lot tougher than I expected.
“I think the hardest thing has been telling friends and family – that’s been the most emotional. My mum’s an angel, she cares about me so much, and picking up the phone to call her was the most difficult thing.
“The reason why I started the fundraiser is because we’ve been having a difficult time getting in contact with charities and I’ve sent off my applications for PIP – I’m still waiting to hear back from that. I’m a musical theatre performer who’s trying for the West End – I’ve done cruise ships and musicals and recently moved to London.
“I’m working at a bar in Soho in the meantime just to afford my rent, so this has come at a really bad time and halted all of my plans. I’m struggling to afford rent and bills, so I’m trying to raise money while I’m waiting for things to go through so I can afford my rent.”
The fundraiser has raised nearly £4,000 at the time of writing and attracted donations from celebrities like X-Factor winner Joe McElderry, which Joe said had “put his mind at ease”.
He said: “The response of support and love has been overwhelming and incredible. I kind of felt guilty for posting a fundraiser, but I can’t physically work to support myself, so I do need to ask for that help.”