Serena Williams “mortified” by health scare
Serena Williams has undergone a procedure in hospital to remove a brachial cyst in her neck.
The tennis legend documented her health scare on TikTok, sharing how she ended up in surgery after doctors originally told her not to worry about it.
“A lot has been happening and I had surgery recently where I had to take some yucky medicine that I hated so much,” she said in a video.
“One day back in May, I found this big mass on my neck. I was mortified by it and I got tests done — everything you can imagine. Everything was negative."
“Turns out I have what’s called a cyst, a brachial cyst, to be exact."
“(Doctors) said I don’t need to get it removed if I don’t want. So, I did not get it (removed) but it kept growing."
“I decided to get more tests and, three tests and one biopsy later, everything was still negative, but doctors advised I get it removed as soon as possible because it was the size of a small grapefruit and it could get infected, or worse, leak.”
Williams then shared vision of the procedure she had to undergo to have it removed.
“So, I ended up having to get it removed. It was so big, it was the size of a grapefruit, and it kind of hurt at coming out,” she went on.
“Obviously I went under (general anesthetic) for it, but they had to put a drain in it because it was so much."
“But everything worked out and I feel really happy to have worked with some great doctors."
“A little scared here but excited to move on to the next steps of healing and doing well.”
The 43-year-old mother-of-two is still recovering from the operation, saying, “I am feeling so grateful, and fortunate everything worked out, and most of all I’m healthy."
Image credits: TikTok / Andrew Schwartz / Shutterstock Editorial