INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Soccer star and Indianapolis native Lauren Holiday underwent a complicated procedure Thursday to remove a brain tumor.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion gave birth last month. She wanted to have the baby first, before having the benign growth removed.
Holiday may be best known for a goal she scored in 2015 during the Women's World Cup, helping the United States to a big victory. Her skills have Indianapolis roots.
"When I met her at 15 years old, she was already a pretty special player, but to see her do it on that stage and the way she did it last night, it was so fun to watch her," said Holiday’s high school coach, Sean Bosley, in 2015.
Married in 2013, the brain tumor was discovered during her pregnancy this past summer. In Lauren's case, the tumor is a benign meninjioma, meaning it's located on the outer layer or covering of the brain.
"If you're going to pick a tumor to have, a brain tumor to have, a meningioma is a good one," explained Dr. Mitsesh Shah, a neurosurgeon at IU Methodist Hospital.
Shah demonstrated the procedure to Eyewitness News, using a skull.
"So we make a linear incision in the skin that's kind of C-shaped, like this," he said.
While he's not treating Holiday, Shah says the procedure to remove the type of tumor she has is not uncommon.
"I think hers is closer to the orbital cavity and content and the biggest risk for that is her vision, depending on how close the tumor is to the optic canal, can be involved," the doctor said.
Lauren is not just a winner, but also a fighter. As a three-year-old, she underwent open heart surgery to repair a heart defect, all before her career as an Olympic gold medalist and world champ. She came back to Indy a couple of years ago to thank doctors at Riley Hospital.
"I'm 25 and I've lived an extraordinary life so far," she said during the visit to Riley, "and I think it's all possible because of my family, obviously, but these doctors that did...they saved my life."
As with most medical conditions, early detection is key. If you have severe headaches, especially if you wake up with them, together with nausea and vomiting, that could be a red flag and you see a doctor.
