Kim Zahradka

Life changes in a blink of an eye! The month of May for me was quite the month and pretty much a blur now that I look back. I want to share my story to make you all more aware of what might be happening within your own body, that you may not know about! So let me back up and start from the beginning.  In early May, a dear friend of mine called to tell me she had just found a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer. (Damn cancer!) That evening I was checking myself and found a very strange and kind of a big lump on my left side – just to the left of my breast. I called and made a Dr. appointment right away and got in the next morning.  My Dr. examined me and didn’t think it was anything concerning, but wanted me to get a mammogram (which I do get yearly), and an ultrasound, which led to a CT scan, and then a phone call from my Dr. that I had a “mass” on my chest and she wanted me to see a chest surgeon. We met with surgeon the next day, we went over the CT scan results and yep, there sure was a mass. Next step was a biopsy and after4 very long days of waiting for pathology results ...I got a call - “it’s not cancer”! Thank God!  But the surgeon told me I need surgery and the sooner the better. So 42 days from discovering this “thing”, I’m having surgery to get it out!

I have a “solitary fibrous tumor” which is attached to my chest wall on my ribs…they tell me the surgery will go something like this. In order to access the tumor, they will deflate my left lung. They will need to remove a section of at least two of my ribs. The section of my ribs they are removing will be replaced with a Gore-Tex material to create  “fake ribs”. The surgeon does not think the tumor has attached itself to my lung yet, but if they find out differently, he will “clip” part of my lung. He says my lungs are healthy, so it should not be an issue if they need to clip a smidge! The size of the tumor and tissue that he will be removing will be about the size of my surgeon’s palm. He will send the tumor to pathology for an extra check for cancer.  They are telling me the recovery part of this surgery will be the worst part. I will be in the hospital for 3 - 5 days, most to learn how to manage the pain. They said I’ll be on a constant epidural, (which will be new for me) and other pain medications (also new to me). My surgery is tomorrow, Tuesday, June 14 at United Hospital in St.Paul, MN.  Please say a prayer for my surgeons and for me… and LOTS of extra prayers for my friend dealing with her breast cancer.  She is going through a lot, but she is one tough cookie so I know she will kick cancers ass!  But I shake my head in wonder about what could have happened with my tumor, if she would not have called me with her news.


SO.... I hope after reading this, you check out your own body and get in tune with it and if you find something – have it checked!

I’m so thankful for Caring Bridge so you can all hear my story, the results of my surgery and keep posted about my recovery all at the same time.  Thank you in advance for the prayers and positive vibes! 


XOXO,

Kim