Having a brain tumor is scary to say the least. Actually, it can be terrifying at times. And while I'll be the first to admit it, I also think it can teach me (and you) some important lessons about life. That's the idea behind this article anyway.
It's been 16 years since I first learned that I had a brain tumor. Actually, I had four of them. I have a condition called Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome and brain tumors are just one of the manifestations that can result. Up until that point, however, I had not had to deal with the brain tumor aspect of the disease.
I was a gunnery sergeant in the Marine Corps at the time, and was sent to Bethesda Naval Hospital for the operation. After a 12-hour surgery, they could only get three of the tumors, so they closed me up and let the final one stay in place. And it didn't cause many problems for quite a long time.
On November 11, 2011, I swam across the Mississippi River, while handcuffed, shackled, and blindfolded. This swim was just the latest in a long line of adventure events that I do as fundraisers for various charitable organizations. I am a highly-trained professional, and I do NOT recommend that anyone else try such a thing themselves.
I first started getting headaches about three weeks before my swim. Still, as I was doing the event to raise money for wounded combat veterans, I wasn't going to let anything like a headache stop me. So, I continued to prepare. The day of the swim my head hurt a lot and I felt weak, dizzy and nauseated.
Still, somehow, despite all of that, the magnitude of the event and the grace of God allowed me to successfully make the swim. As soon as I made it to the other side though, I told my wife that I needed to get to a doctor as soon as possible. I knew something was seriously wrong.
I had an MRI of the brain, and it was determined that the tumor had grown significantly and needed to be removed. Within a month, I had the surgery and began the long road to recovery. And while I hope you will never face such a thing yourself, you will inevitably face adversity. So, I want to give you some recommendations that can hopefully help with that.
1) Bad things sometime happen to good people. Sure, you might be a positive person. You might help others. You might do a lot of wonderful things. But, none of that will keep you from having to face adversity. It's just part of life. Remember that and deal with it.
2) That which does not kill you makes you stronger. Maybe not physically, but certainly mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You must be open to the lessons that adversity is trying to teach you though. If you do learn them, you'll be stronger as a result.
3) It could always be worse. As bad as things may seem at the time, they could always be worse. In my case for instance, if I had gotten a VHL diagnosis fifty years ago, things would have been much different. Or, if I had not been blessed to be born in the United States. Or... well, you get the idea.
4) Your attitude makes a huge difference. While it certainly takes a lot more than just a positive attitude for many things in life, your attitude really does make a big difference when it comes down to your overcoming the difficulties of life or not.
5) Prepare now. Since you don't know when adversity will strike, it's important to be preparing yourself now. If not, it would be like getting ready for a hurricane when it is bearing down on you. It's too late then. Maybe you can't predict, but you can prepare.
For more by Jay Platt, click here.
For more on wisdom, click here.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.