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Serena Williams had benign cyst “the size of a small grapefruit” removed from her neck
Serena Williams is sharing a recent health scare — having a benign branchial cyst “the size of a small grapefruit” removed from her neck.
The retired tennis legend, who is 43, took to social media Tuesday to share some video clips of her in the hospital, along with the update that “all is OK.”
“I am feeling so grateful, and fortunate everything worked out, and most of all I’m healthy,” she wrote.
In her post, Williams said she first felt the lump on her neck in May, which prompted her to see a doctor and get tests done.
“I immediately went to the doc got a MRI and was told I have a brachial [sic] cyst. Have you ever heard of that? They said I don’t need to get it removed if I don’t want. So I did not get it but it kept growing,” she wrote. “I decided to get more test and 3 test and one biopsy later everything is still negative but doctors advised I get it removed asap because it was the size of a small grapefruit and it could get infected or worse leak.”
In another post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Williams said she’s “still recovering, but getting better.”
“Health always comes first,” she added.
@serena Back in May I found a lump showing on my neck. I immediately went to the doc got a mri and was told I have a brachial cyst. Have you ever heard of that? They said I don’t need to get it removed if I don’t want. So I did not get it but it kept growing. I decided to get more test and 3 test and one biopsy later everything is still negative but doctors advised I get it removed asap because it was the size of a small grapefruit and it could get infected or worse leak. So this is me removing it. I am feelimg so grateful, and fortunate everything worked out, and most of all I’m healthy. I still made it to American doll with Olympia as promised. And yes all is ok. 🙏🏿🙏🏿 #fyp #foryourpage #serenawilliams #mom
According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s unknown how common branchial cleft cysts (ones found on the side of the neck) are.
“That’s because not all branchial cleft cysts cause problems. That said, branchial cleft cysts are one of the most common forms of neck masses or lumps, especially in children,” the clinic’s website notes.
While benign, meaning noncancerous, health care providers may recommend surgery to remove the cyst, like Williams had, to prevent or treat infections or swelling, Cleveland Clinic explains.
It adds that there’s nothing a person can do to prevent a cyst like this from developing: “These cysts are congenital conditions, meaning you were born with them.”
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A teacher and student killed in a shooting earlier this week at a school in Madison, Wisconsin, were identified Wednesday by authorities.
The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office said in a news release provided to CBS News that 42-year-old Erin West and 14-year-old Rubi Vergara were fatally shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School.
Preliminary examinations determined the two died of “homicidal firearm related trauma.” Both were pronounced dead at the scene, the medical examiner said.
An online obituary on a local funeral site stated Vergara was a freshman who leaves behind her parents, one brother, and a large extended family. It described her as “an avid reader” who “loved art, singing and playing keyboard in the family worship band.”
West’s exact position with the school was unclear.
The medical examiner also confirmed that a preliminary autopsy found that the suspected shooter, 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow — a student at the same school — was pronounced dead at a local hospital Monday of “firearm related trauma.” Madison Chief of Police Shon F. Barnes had previously told reporters that Rupnow was pronounced dead while being transported to a hospital.
Police had also previously stated that she was believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The shooting at the private Christian K-12 school was reported just before 11 a.m. Monday. In addition to the two people killed and the shooter, six others were wounded.
Police said the shooting occurred in a classroom where a study hall was taking place involving students from several grades.
A handgun was recovered after the shooting, Barnes said, but it was unclear where the gun came from or how many shots were fired. A law enforcement source said the weapon used in the shooting appears to have been a 9 mm pistol.
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