Overcoming Adversity by Brooklin

Overcoming Adversity by Brooklin - May 2022 Scholarship Essay

We all have some kind of life altering event that happens that somehow changes our perception of life and how we live it. We never know when these things are going to happen and when it does, it really makes you think about what you are doing with your life. My perception on life was changed when I experienced a life altering moment; I found out I had a carcinoid tumor in my left lung. This had a huge impact on me and my family. It really made us take a moment and appreciate everything and everyone around us.
In March of 2020 I got sick and couldn’t get better. After multiple tests and doctors later we found out the cause of my illness. In December of 2020 I was told that I had a tumor in my lung and that the doctors didn’t know what kind or how severe it was but that it was outside of the scope of practice available in Montana and I was being referred to a cancer center. This was a shock to me and my family, we didn’t know what to expect. For me I didn’t know what to do. I had never been hurt, let alone had a surgery, so it was one of the most nerve racking things to ever happen to me. On Christmas morning I remember asking my mom if she had heard from the doctors and her reaction wasn’t what I wanted. The doctor had told my family that I had a cancerous tumor and that it needed to be removed as soon as possible. This news isn’t what you ever want to be told on Christmas or at all really. As time went on I kept it a secret and only my family and my best friend knew. It was a hard thing to comprehend and I almost felt that it wasn’t real. I still wish that it wasn’t.
Time passed and I kept playing sports but I knew my time for surgery was getting closer. Talking to the surgeon I tried to keep my composure because I knew that I had to get the surgery no matter what. We were told that my tumor was blocking 90 percent of my airway and that I would have to get a lobectomy surgery, removing the left lung in an effort to keep spread to a minimum and increase my chance of a normal life. The time for surgery came sooner than expected due to a broken wrist in February of 2021 that also caused my basketball season to end. The weeks leading up to surgery were a blur. We had a lot of appointments in Salt Lake City and a ton of questions to ask and answer. I remember getting ready for surgery that morning knowing what was going to happen to me but not what to expect what would happen after it was over.
Coming out of surgery was the most pain I have had and a simple task like sitting up felt like it was impossible. Through it all I kept the one thing my surgeon told me in my mind, having this tumor is just a speed bump. This phrase has stuck with me in everything I have done past my surgery. I used his words, “it’s just a speed bump”, while I was recovering and kept pushing myself to get better and recover faster. I wanted to get better as quickly as possible so I could rodeo and go back to school.
I have used the phrase “it’s just a speed bump” not only in my healing but as well as everyday events. If there is any sort of obstacle or challenge I face I just remember if I set my mind to it nothing can stop me, it just slows me down a bit. Through this life altering event I have learned how to persevere and push through tough times, these lessons have pushed me to be and do my best. I would be a great fit to attend the University of Montana Western and get my Bachelors in Science in Kinesiology because I know how to come out on top even through tough times.