Joshua Readman in need of Pectus Excavatum surgery
MRI Video
Joshua readman in need of Pectus Excavatum surgery.
Joshua has had Pectus Excavatum (the opposite of pigeon chest. P.E. causes the chest to cave inward) from the age of 13yrs he’s now 17yrs.
As you can see from the image above, his chest wall is pressing on his heart.
He requires major surgery called pectus excavation, in a procedure called the Nuss. This procedure involves placing a curved metal bar into the chest to re shape the chest and to prevent further complications.
Joshua needs this surgery because his chest wall is pushing inwards and is causing the heart to be crushed and become misshapen. Of great concern is that his heart is only working efficiently up to 45%, which is less than half of its full use, due to the slow crushing of his chest wall.
This is preventing him from performing any exercise and sports because it causes extreme tiredness and fatigue.
We met Mr Joel Dunning, Consultant and surgeon around 2 years ago. He agreed to do further testing to see if the surgery would be successful and whether it was in-fact needed.
It was proven that surgery needed to be performed to Improve Joshua’s quality of life and give him a future he desires.
This surgery was removed off the NHS funding list in feb 2019 because they classed the procedure as cosmetic.
Joel Dunning, in December 2019, had to apply to the NHS for funding along with providing the evidence showing surgery was required in Joshua’s case, for health reasons, and this was refused.
Mr Dunning then appealed, and this was again refused by NHS England.
This surgery is available in Scotland but again I was refused funding by NHS England in January 2021.
We have now been left with the decision to book Joshua in have surgery at the cost of £10.000 and fund raising to be started with the help and backing of Poolie Time Exchange. To get him this surgery which is to be preformed on medical grounds.
Joshua hopes to be come a firefighter and this is his dream job. Without this surgery, this is not even an option because he would fail the medical fitness immediately.
As him mam, I’m asking you, please, if you could even spare £1 this will all help and get Joshua the surgery he desperately needs.
Thank you. Natasha Johnston, Joshua Readman’s mam.
