Aussie Olympic swimmer Michael Klim, 43, is in recovery at a cancer treatment center in Sydney following the removal of a cyst from his throat.
Symptoms of a cyst on the larynx include difficult breathing, hoarseness and ear pain.
Keeping a positive attitude while undergoing a health battle can make a difference, experts say.
While the fate of this summer’s Tokyo Olympics remains up in the air, Aussie Olympian Michael Klim is recovering from surgery at a cancer facility.
Klim writes on Instagram: “Yesterday I had a benign cyst removed from my larynx. Due to its tricky location I had the expertise of the renowned head and neck surgeons at Chris Obrien Lifehouse. I would like to thank everyone for their support and well wishes and to all the staff at @chris_obrien_lifehouse who did an incredible job. Thank you to my good mate Dr Dave Zalcberg or always looking out for me. It's been a very turbulent couple of years due to my health, I will share my journey with you once I've recovered from this recent surgery.”
The Polish-born Australian is an Olympic gold medalist, who most famously beat the American swim team in the 2000 Olympics. He also set a world record leading off the 4×100m freestyle relay at the 2000 Olympics.
Michael Klim warms up for the Legends Race during day five of the 2019 Australian National Swimming Championships in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
What is a Cyst on the Larynx?
Benign laryngeal tumors include juvenile papillomas, hemangiomas, fibromas, chondromas, myxomas and neurofibromas, according to the Merck Manual. Papillomas and neurofibromas can become malignant.
Symptoms include:
Hoarseness
Chronic coughing
Difficulty breathing
Sensation of a lump in the throat
Rough or scratchy voice
Difficulty or pain with swallowing
Ear pain
Voice weakness and strain
Focusing on the Good Through a Health Battle
We have no doubt that Klim, as an Olympian, knows all about the power of mindset. Many Olympians and Olympic hopefuls are known to do in addition to physical exercises mental exercises, like visualization techniques, to help them master the mind-body connection.
In an earlier interview with SurvivorNet, colorectal surgeon Dr. Zuri Murrell explains the power of mindset and focusing on the good. He says, “My patients who thrive, even with stage 4 cancer, from the time that they, about a month after they’re diagnosed, I kind of am pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK.”
“Now doesn’t that mean I’m good at saying that the cancer won’t grow,” says Dr. Murrell. “But I’m pretty good at telling what kind of patient are going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life.”
