About a year ago (November 10th, 2016) I had my knee operated on for an injury report consisting of 10 issues, 2 of which were ACL/Meniscus tears. I’m grateful for the experience because it taught me a lot about myself and fitness, fueled my drive to beat the odds and return better than before, and allowed me to acquire a new perspective on my life and the path I want to take.
-Josh P.
I had the recent opportunity to share my story in my local home paper, The Cape Cod Times! This is so special to me and I am excited to share with all of you.
Eight years ago, at the age of 18, I reached my goal as a professional BMX athlete. I had won my first pro contest, I had ridden in the X-games for the first time, I was approaching my third year as a professional on the Dew Tour, and I felt as though I was on top of the world. And then my world turned upside down.
I hit my head while riding one day and had to get an MRI, which revealed a benign, meningioma brain tumor that had invaded the left side of my brain. It was growing into my brain from a layer of my skull called the meninges and it was pushing down on my optic nerve. As it turns out, the tumor was the cause of the debilitating headaches – which my doctors and I thought were migraines – that I had been suffering from for some time. In the spring of 2010, I had to have my skull cut open to remove it. The six-hour surgery was successful, and five weeks later I was well enough to get back on my bike. And for almost two years, my life was back to normal.
In the fall of 2012, though, I faced a setback. An MRI showed two tumors the size of blueberries growing back. Because they were located in a very dangerous spot close to my main artery, surgery would have been too risky. I knew there had to be an alternative, and after the harsh reality of what I was facing set in, I made it my new goal to find another way. Through research and close consultations with my surgeon, I learned about a form of radiotherapy called stereotactic radiosurgery.
This cutting-edge technology – the concept for which was developed nearly 50 years ago and which has treated more than one million patients afflicted with brain tumors, vascular malformations and functional disorders – has a high success rate for tumors like mine. In this approach, beams of radiation are focused precisely on small targets in the brain, which means that the beams converge on the diseased tissue or tumor without harming healthy tissue around it.
I decided to go for it. In my case, the treatment, which was silent and practically painless, involved a machine that looks similar to an MRI machine and involved three sessions at 15 minutes, 10 minutes and 15 minutes. No time in the hospital, no side effects of note, I was back on my bike in a week, and I felt like nothing ever happened. A follow-up MRI scan in November 2013 showed a slight decrease in one of the tumors. The following year’s MRI showed even better news, with both tumors now decreasing. Subsequent MRIs have continued to show progress, and while I may never be tumor free, the treatment I received not only means I am alive, but that I can keep on living the life I want to live.
Radiotherapy’s reach and effectiveness have grown by leaps and bounds, and it can now be delivered with previously unimaginable precision, reducing side effects while minimizing the time patients like me spend undergoing the procedure. As a result, radiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for tumors of all types, both cancerous and noncancerous.
I am a true believer in the power of positive thinking, and I would say my journey is the epitome – literally and figuratively – of the theory of “mind over matter.”
Josh Perry, formerly of Dennis, lives in Cary, North Carolina.
-Josh P.
Josh Perry, Pro BMX Rider
It is said—mostly to scare young riders into taking appropriate safety precautions—that the likelihood that a motorcycle rider will have an accident is 100 percent.
In my career as a professional bicycle motocross (BMX) bike rider, I can tell you that not only is there a 100 percent chance you will fall sometimes, but there is almost a 100 percent chance that you will fall every time you ride. Sometimes, though, falling can be a good thing. It was only after a serious slam that I received the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that detected a brain tumor and saved my life.
I grew up in Massachusetts, where I first started riding bikes with my friends. We used bikes for more than just transportation, and soon I was learning how to do jumps and other tricks. By the time I was 17 years old, I had grown comfortable doing backflips out of quarter pipes and over box jumps. I needed to be closer to the best riders to continue to progress in the sport, so I relocated to Greenville, North Carolina, where I had access to the best BMX training facilities.
No matter how good you are, you always fall. At 17, you can bounce back from a fall that would take you out for weeks at age 37. Constantly being plagued by minor injuries forces you to learn to be in touch with your body—for example, knowing whether you have to favor one leg over the other to absorb the impact of a jump. When I started having migraines, it was only natural that I would attribute them to riding However, I didn’t know how to compensate for this degree of pain.
In October 2009, the headaches became severe. I am not a medical professional, but I had done some research and decided I would need an MRI or a computed tomography (CT) scan to determine the cause of my headaches. Unfortunately, the doctors told me multiple times that I did not need a scan and gave me painkillers instead. I knew they were merely a mask and that my body couldn’t handle the drugs, so I never took them.
I had to take many days off because of the pain, but I never stopped riding. That all changed in March 2010, when I hit my head and was knocked unconscious. It turns out that I really did need an MRI, which I finally got, only much later than I wanted it.
The MRI results showed one benign meningioma tumor taking up the entire left portion of my brain. Bingo! Now I knew why I was getting those headaches. Upon receiving the diagnosis, I was afraid. The doctors explained to me that if I wanted to live, I would have to undergo surgery. Later, I would find out that if I had been given an MRI a year earlier, my doctors could have performed gamma knife radiosurgery instead of a much more invasive surgery.
I had surgery on April 16, 2010. The procedure that was supposed to last 4.5 hours actually lasted for six because the tumor was located near the main artery and my optic nerve, in the area that controls motor skills. Fortunately, the surgeon did a superb job.
To this day, medical imaging remains essential to my quality of life.
Six months after the initial surgery, an MRI showed that two areas of the tumor had started growing back. In November 2012, I underwent gamma knife radiosurgery. Six months after that, another MRI showed that the tumors were stable. In November 2013, an MRI showed that one of the tumors was slightly decreasing in size, and by October of the following year, both were shrinking. Today, I continue to live with two brain tumors and undergo annual scans; most important, I feel good and am back on my bike.
People often ask me whether being diagnosed with brain tumors is the worst thing that has happened in my life. It was certainly one of the most shocking and scary experiences, but not the worst. To the contrary, in some ways, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me because it taught me to be more in tune with my body. As a result, I am now healthier than I have ever been. I just wish I’d had a scan earlier.
At the time of my diagnosis, I appeared to be the pinnacle of health and wellness, but medical imaging helped my doctors detect the invisible. Thanks to the benefits of medical innovation, I have a new lease on life and am able to compete at the highest level in my sport. People should not have to face a catastrophe to get the right scan at the right time.
-Josh P.
I don’t know how many times I say this… time and money are just made up ideas we humans give energy to, thus giving them power.
Meet Dave Goodall, 45-year-old father of 2, husband of a beautiful and loving wife, and has a “big boy” job. The whole family lives the bike life. They also practice positive energy, meditation, fitness, and nutrition lifestyles. Dave has been riding with us for maybe a year now on the BMX bike and is killing it! He and his wife have also transformed their bodies and health via a nutritional and fitness program this last year and look fantastic!
Use this man and his family as an example that we create the lives we want. Dave has always told me to drop my story and rewrite it today. So true. So many times we go through life with the beliefs (subconsciously and consciously) that were passed on to us from our parents, their parents, the news, school, society, etc. rather than make up our own beliefs. What we think, we attract and create.
Don’t settle for anything that doesn’t make you happy, fueled, and fulfilled. we all posses the ability to create our dream life. It just begins with a thought and the manifests with faith and action. What are you waiting for?!?!
Dave was 44 when he decided he wanted to ride BMX and change his life. Now we’ve traveled across country for contests so Dave could live his childhood dream through my eyes and be apart of the energy we all in BMX yield and share with one another. Dave is now one of my best friends.
We push eachother on and off the bike to be the best we can be and to achieve our goals. I’m grateful for this man and his family to have come into my life but he reminds me we attracted this to one another and it’s so true. Think of what you want in life, visualize it, believe you can and do already possess it, and act in a way that will attract it to you. Why not?!
And don’t be afraid.
-Josh P.
Doing what it takes to push through these last few weeks of shows and the Fise World contest of the season. I’m beyond grateful for where my riding, knee, and mind are at only 9.5 months out of ACL reconstructive surgery.
My goal was to be on my bike by May and then make finals at each @uci_cycling UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup Series. I’ve done just that as well as got a podium spot in Osijek, Croatia.
If you know me, you know I’m 100% when it comeI’mo what i’m passionate about. I was so dedicated to my rehab so I could be even halfway where I am today. That being said, once I got back into the swing of BMX riding again I have gone back to 100% commitment to my riding. With that comes falls, obstacles, and injuries.
It’s apart of the game but the ones mentally strong enough are the ones who push through. It’s the universes way of testing our faith and passion to work hard for what we desire in life. I’m been through more than I ever imagined and I’m grateful for each and every challenge.
It’s taught me a lot about myself, others, and life in general. It’s shown me my strength both mentally and physically. It’s given me new perspectives on BMX, my life, and what I want to attract to me life.
I’m currently in this ice bath for my legs to help get some pep back in them but I’m also trying to heal this bone bruise on my right shin that’s now traveled to the other side all of a sudden and has me barley even walking/riding.
To be where you want to be in life means going through new experiences. Living a holistic and healthy lifestyle helps these changes and transitions along the way. When you take care of your body, you feel good. When you feel good, you ride good. Or, do whatever it is in life that you love.
-Josh P.
I was listening to Pandora recently when a song by G-Eazy came on and I heard these lyrics:
“It’s only a dream until it happens to you”.
I instantly felt a great overwhelming sense of gratitude for my life and all that’s happened to me, good and bad. I live my dream every day and still have further dreams. I’ve become friends with my idols, made best friends from around the world, and have seen parts of the world most won’t. My dream became a reality but not without obstacles and life changing events.
As beat up as I am right now from two recent crashes (bone bruise on my shin/ankle and old torn lat muscle that I slammed along with my back into a quarter pipe last week), I’m still thrilled to be getting on a plane on my way to Denver Fise to compete.
I may not be 100% but I’m just at about 9 months out of ACL/Meniscus reconstructive surgery and am thankful to be competing again. It was the worst recovery I’ve had to date, even more so than brain tumor surgery recovery. It took a toll on me mentally and physically. But like any challenge we face in life, we must set fear aside and give it our all in order to reach our goals.
The falls I’ve taken on and off the bike have taught me a great deal about myself and life. I continue to ride my heart out for those who can’t, to inspire those who dream, to prove anyone’s dream is possible, and to continue enjoying my life as I live my dream.
-Josh P.
People ask me is s brain tumor diagnosis was the worst thing to happen to me. One may think so but to me, no way. It’s the best thing to happen to me! It opened my mind to be conscious of my life decisions and how they impacted my health. I have now made over my life to an organic, holistic diet and lifestyle.
I used to ride for myself. I now ride for myself as well as those suffering or who have suffered from a brain tumor, brain injury or any other brain disorder.
I ride because I love it, it’s my escape from negativity in my life, it’s my form of meditation and creativity, I’m fortunate enough to be able to ride and live my dream, and nowadays I ride to be a symbol that you can achieve success when you get knocked down in life.
We are not defined by our past, mistakes, failures, the times we fell down, or what others think of us. We’re defined by our actions in this current moment in time and who we decide to be, as well as help along the way. A great leader inspires action/change, which is my goal. To get you inspired and motivated to achieve your goals, live your dreams, adopt healthy habits, love your brain, and live the life you dreamed of.
-Josh P.
Back in March, FOX News Radio gave me the opportunity to share my story of overcoming multiple brain tumors and returning to BMX riding, which is more than a sport to me. It’s my passion, freedom, love and it has saved my life in more than one way.
I documented my experience via video, which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/NNlQzomuuF0
For the official FOX News Radio version (5 minutes), check it out here:
Here is an outline of the interview…Enjoy! 🙂
▪ (0:25) Falling in love with BMX
▪ (0:46) BMX as a career
▪ (1:15) 17 years old and moves to Greenville, NC
▪ (2:02) Self motivation
▪ (2:40) Brain tumor diagnosis at 21 years old
▪ (3:28) Day in my life with headaches from the tumor
▪ (4:20) The day I was diagnosed with a brain tumor
▪ (5:35) “BMX saved your life?”
▪ (6:05) The trick I crashed and that saved my life- “Flair Whip”
▪ (7:05) Back to BMX after brain surgery
▪ (8:21) Physical and emotional changes in my life (Brain surgery, Gamma Knife radio surgery, and emotions)
▪ (9:15) Having to except death
▪ (11:20) Back to BMX after 1 week from Gamma Knife radio surgery
▪ (12:04) “Our genes are not our destiny”
▪ (14:00) Holistic Health Coach
▪ (15:45) We are children of God, which makes us creators, too. We can do what we want if we set our minds to it.
▪ (16:10) Follow me on social media & my blog. (@JoshPerryBMX / www.DailyBrainstorms.com
▪ (16:35) Google is an amazing tool
▪ (16:58) Kombucha
▪ (17:18) Follow your dreams “Take a risk at something you love and fail rather than always wondering what if”
-Josh P.
By Josh Perry, Special to Everyday Health
(http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/my-health-story/getting-back-bmx-three-brain-tumors/)
Seven years ago, I was sitting on top of the world. I was an otherwise regular 20-year-old kid from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, who had just won a major professional BMX (bike motocross) competition and had just participated in the most recent X Games — the Olympics of extreme sports. I was living my childhood dream and, needless to say, I was stoked.
Routine MRI Reveals Massive Tumor
Things changed forever several months later when I hit my head while riding. After the accident, I had a routine MRI scan, the results of which turned out to be anything but routine. The scan revealed a meningioma — a brain tumor growing from the outer linings of my brain and spinal cord — taking up the entire left side of my head.
After being told one variation of bad news after another, ranging from “You will never ride again” to “You won’t have long to live if this tumor is not immediately removed,” I was put in touch with neurosurgeon Allan H. Friedman, MD, at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Friedman felt confident that he could remove the tumor and arranged to have my surgery scheduled immediately.
He explained that there were serious risks, including paralysis, loss of speech, blindness, hearing loss, stroke, and the ultimate risk: simply not waking up from the operation. The surgery involved putting me under heavy sedation and literally opening my skull. What could go wrong?
During a six-hour procedure, the tumor was successfully removed. Thankfully, I woke up pain-free and with a smile on my face, surrounded by the people I love most in the world: my parents; my brother, Danny; and my friends. I was alive, back on track, and more determined than ever.
I was lucky to have a quick recovery and was back to competitive BMX riding within two months. I learned — though it still seems almost impossible to fathom — that the skull can fuse back together in only four weeks following an operation like mine!
Two New Tumors Threaten Critical Artery
Before long, I had made a nearly full recovery and was riding professionally again. One of the best parts of my job is that I get to travel the world, and soon I found myself traveling to India to conduct bike demos and showcase BMX riding on behalf of my sponsor. The trip started off great, but once again things quickly went off the rails: I got an email from my mom saying the results from a recent MRI showed I had two new tumors in my brain. They were only the size of blueberries, but they were close to a critical artery and would need to be dealt with soon.
I was 8,000 miles from home, totally alone, and scared as hell. After feeling sorry for myself and repeatedly asking, “Why me?”, I decided that I wasn’t going to let the tumors take control of my life. I put my headphones on and imagined myself doing what I love most: riding ramps, pulling huge tricks, and feeling like I’m flying. I turned that fear, confusion, and devastation into the energy I needed to get past this latest challenge.
I consulted Dr. Friedman again. This time he suggested that a radiation-based treatment might be the best option because there were many potential complications of traditional surgery, and he was concerned about the tumors’ proximity to my artery.
Following a period of research, my family and I concluded that Gamma Knife radiosurgery, which delivers a high dose of radiation to a precise area without harming surrounding tissue, was the way to go. The procedure, I was told, is quick, painless, almost completely noninvasive, and has a short recovery time. Best of all, the neurosurgeon who performed the surgery, Julian K. Wu, MD, of Tufts Medical Center in Boston, told me that it was clinically proven and had a success rate of about 85 percent — odds that I could live with.
This ended up being a critical decision-making process in my life and really set the tone for how I approach health-related decisions today. We are all our own best health advocates and need to be champions for ourselves. In my case, many different neurosurgeons may have had completely different opinions about my course of treatment, but I knew this was the right path for me.
The procedure involved having a lightweight frame attached to my head to keep it still. Then I had a single treatment of radiation delivered to three different parts of my tumor.
Since the surgery required no incisions whatsoever, my recovery was even quicker than the first time, and I was back on my bike in only seven days, feeling like nothing had happened. But I’d be lying if I said my life wasn’t permanently changed.
From Surgery Patient to Health Coach
Dodging a bullet twice made me reevaluate life from all angles, and I became increasingly interested in the concept of holistic living and how nutrition decisions impact our overall health. In February 2014, I enrolled in the online Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and a year later received my certification as a holistic health coach.
I’m incredibly grateful to say that my story has had a happy ending. I’m busier than ever these days, splitting my time between BMX riding and helping others achieve their health and well-being goals.
A big part of my job is pushing myself to reach the next level, both physically and mentally. Pulling off big tricks, however, sometimes results in hard falls. If there’s one thing I’ve come to realize, it’s that the most important thing is to always be willing to get back on the bike and on with life. I’m pretty sure that’s why I’m still here. We can all relate to falling down, but the difference we can make in our lives is getting up and trying again.
Josh Perry is a 28-year-old pro BMX athlete who lives in Apex, North Carolina, and blogs at DailyBrainStorms
Photos provided by Josh Perry.
Last Updated: 6/8/2017
How Do You Stay Fit And Healthy? Why Is It Important To You?
I stay fit and healthy by eating only the cleanest, organic and most beneficial foods to benefit my body, mind and health goals. This is reinforced by staying physically active on a daily basis, keeping a positive mindset no matter what life throws my way, living in an abundance of love and light and by dreaming big. The most important things to me in life are my health, happiness, family and friends, and my BMX bike riding.
What’s The Most Significant Challenge You Have Overcome In Your Life?
The most significant challenge I have had to face was overcoming 3 brain tumors, 2 separate times at the ages of 21 and 23. I still live every day with 2 tumors in my skull, but receive regular scans to ensure that they aren’t posing any additional risks. I refuse to let them stop me from enjoying my life to the fullest and doing what I love!
How Do You Give Back To Your Community/Friends/Family?
I give back to my community, friends, and family by openly sharing my experiences and what I have learned along the way. I am always reaching out as a support system and love sharing tips on how to eat well, become physically fit, think positively and dream big! I use my social media channels as a way to help inspire and motivate others to make changes in their day-to-day lives that will hopefully have a positive affect their health and overall well-being.
How Do You Measure Success—And How Have You Achieved It?
I measure success by happiness, health and the amount of effort required to achieve the two. No amount of money or materials can trump health and happiness. Personally, I believe I have achieved my view of success by overcoming several brain tumors and becoming the healthiest and happiest version of myself I have ever been. Professionally, I’ve been extremely fortunate to compete professionally in BMX with some of the best riders across the globe. That being said, I am always striving to improve myself and help others even more.
What’s The Best Advice You Have Ever Received?
The best advice I have ever received is that happiness comes from dreaming big, flying high and doing what you love. An important part of this is to always follow what my gut and heart tell me to do and let the rest follow naturally. I live by this advice.
-Josh P.
