'A New Breath of Life': Aracely Caldera becomes Parkridge's first chest wall reconstruction patient

When 26-year-old Aracely Caldera stepped into the ocean during a recent beach trip, she felt something new–air filling her lungs with ease and the freedom to move without pain or fear.

For the first time in her life, swimming didn’t feel like a struggle. It felt like joy.

That transformation was made possible through the adult chest wall reconstruction program at Parkridge Medical Center, led by Dr. Lisa Smith.

The chest wall plays a crucial role in protecting vital organs like the heart and lungs allowing their normal function. When deformed, the chest wall can restrict breathing and even compress the heart. Reconstruction of the chest wall in these instances can alleviate these limitations and restore quality of life.

Growing up playing sports, Aracely learned to navigate balance and posture issues caused by pectus excavatum, a condition where the breast bone is sunken into the chest. 

“I played sports and stayed really active, but I struggled with shortness of breath, numbness and even visible movement in my chest when my heart beat,” she recalls. “It was scary, but I didn’t want to disrupt my life with surgery.”

In recent years, the discomfort had become too difficult to ignore.

“I finally reached a point where I had the support, time and mental space to prioritize my health,” Aracely says. “That’s when I found Dr. Smith.”

Adult chest wall reconstruction surgery is a specialized procedure designed to restore both the structure and function of the chest. With modern innovations, patients can regain strength, mobility and confidence, often returning to daily activities with greater ease.

From the moment they met, Aracely says she felt reassured by Dr. Smith’s compassion and transparency.

“Dr. Smith didn’t treat me like just another case. She sat with me, listened to my story and helped me understand my options,” she says. “It never felt clinical. It felt human.”

What followed was months of careful planning — pre-operative physical therapy, detailed preparation materials and emotional support through every step of the process. Dr. Smith even created a comprehensive handbook outlining what to expect before, during and after surgery.

On the morning of her procedure, Aracely arrived at Parkridge Medical Center before dawn with her parents by her side. Despite the early hour, she recalls warmth, kindness and professionalism of every team member she encountered.

“That compassion made all the difference,” Aracely says. “It was white-glove service. Everyone treated me like I was family.”

Only a few months after surgery, Aracely is back to walking more than 15,000 steps a day with her dog and rediscovering activities she once avoided.

“I’ve been able to get back to life in an awesome way.”

She credits much of her recovery to Dr. Smith’s holistic approach, which included both pre- and post-surgical physical therapy to help her body adapt.

Aracely hopes her story encourages others who may be dealing with undiagnosed or untreated conditions to seek help — no matter their age or stage in life.

Looking back, she says choosing surgery with Dr. Smith and Parkridge Medical Center was one of the best decisions she’s ever made.

“I would absolutely do it again,” she says. "Breathing is like a brand-new experience."