A 23-year-old man was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer after initially being told by doctors that his discomfort was being caused by swollen glands.

According to reports, Kyle Kennedy, from Liverpool, England, was told to take pain medication after experiencing swelling in his neck, as well as night sweats.

Having been assured by doctors that his symptoms were likely being caused by swollen glands, Kyle – an otherwise “fit and healthy” young man – woke up one morning to a swollen face.

“That weekend he kept saying to me and my mum, ‘I just don’t feel right, it’s getting worse,’” his sister, Kelsey Thomas, told the Liverpool Echo.

“He woke up one morning and his face had blown up, as if he’d had an allergic reaction. I kept asking him if he was sure it wasn’t his hay fever.”

Kyle decided to go into work anyway, only to be sent home by his boss, who told him to seek medical attention. He was told by doctors that he could be suffering from mumps or blocked glands, and was sent home with antibiotics.

According to his sister, however, Kyle’s face only got worse.

“He sent me a picture of his face a couple of days later and it had swelled up even more,” Thomas said. “After another GP visit, he was told to go straight to hospital.”

This time tests, including an emergency CT scan, revealed that he had a large tumor in his chest. He was diagnosed with stage four diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) – a fast-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma – that had spread to his bowl and tonsils.

“It’s just absolutely devastating…It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for all of us as a family,” said Thomas of her brother’s cancer diagnosis.

“He’s such a lovely lad, quiet and private. He was playing padel every single night until he was diagnosed. Considering he had a mass on his chest, he wasn’t breathless or anything like that. Every night after work he’d either be going to the gym or playing padel. He was always really fit and healthy.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Kyle financially. At the time of writing it has raised £19,017 ($20,860) of its £20,000 ($26,000) target.

Kyle is currently undergoing six months of chemotherapy treatment.

“His first chemo floored him,” his sister said. “He was in bed for a full week with tiredness and sickness. But this time round, he was only in bed for a couple of days. It’s like he’s got this fight in him; he wants to face it head on.”

We’re sending prayers and support in Kyle’s direction. Join us by leaving a comment or sharing his story.