22-Year-Old Miraculously Survives Internal Decapitation After Beating Brain Cancer as Teen
Miracles happen every day. They’re often small and can go unnoticed. But some miracles are so amazing, they have to be shared with the world.
Take 22-year-old Brock Meister, for example. In 2012, a grade III germinoma tumor was found in his brain when he was just 16.
After four rounds of chemo and proton radiation therapy at Memorial Hospital and the IU Proton Center in Bloomington, Brock’s tumor shrunk and eventually died completely.
The Indiana teen went on to lead a normal life. His doctor at the time was Dr. Joel Boaz, but Boaz was not the only one who helped Brock during his battle with cancer.
Dr. Kashif Shaikh, a neurosurgeon, was a second-year resident rotating with Boaz at that time. While Shaikh didn’t operate on the teen, he more than likely interacted with him during his rounds.
Anyone who spends time in the hospital for an illness usually hopes to never step foot inside one again. But Brock’s probable encounter with Shaikh six years ago would not be their last.
In fact, Brock would end up being incredibly thankful for this amazing doctor. In January, what started out as a typical Friday evening with friends ended up being life-threatening for Brock.
After having dinner, the 22-year-old got into his truck and headed for his grandparents’ home. But the young man would never make it to his destination.
The icy winter road caused what could have been a fatal car accident. Though he was only driving 40 miles an hour, the road was unforgiving. “Half my body was out the window,” he told Beacon Health System.
A 22-year-old miraculously survives a “universally fatal” internal decapitation and is expected to make a full recovery. https://t.co/uMf1jOdFi3 pic.twitter.com/15MytL8MRd
— Inside Edition (@InsideEdition) August 2, 2018
His friend, Ryan Topper, was in the vehicle ahead of him. Thankfully, Ryan was not injured at all and was able to call 911.
“Brock kept trying to get up and the only words he was saying were ‘my neck’ and ‘ambulance,'” Ryan told Beacon Health. “I knew that he was in some serious pain and that if it was his neck, I couldn’t let him get up and move.”
What happened next was a whirlwind for Brock and his family. X-rays showed that Brock’s skull had been separated from his spine.
This is considered “internal decapitation.” Surviving an injury like this is very rare, almost impossible.
But Brock seems to be a man who defies the odds. A surgery performed by the doctor he’d come across during his cancer treatment saved Brock’s life.
“… some people are blessed,” Shaikh said. “Brock somehow survived a brain tumor as a child, and now, only a few years later, he has survived an almost universally fatal injury. It is truly incredible.”
Brock and his family would agree. “As a mom, I know, I truly know God was there that night and saved my child,” Jenna Meister, Brock’s mom, shared. “Things easily could have been more tragic and my time spent with him could be at the cemetery. Our boy is a miracle.”
Jenna also shared her sentiments in a post on Facebook. “Brock still has a long road to recover but we know his determination will take him far. To family, friends, medical staff, EMT’s, first responders and even strangers, we thank you for helping our boy survive this ‘universally fatal’ injury.”
Though Brock isn’t out of the woods yet, and his recovery continues, he’s a true example of a living miracle. His story only proves that the impossible can be possible, and that a fighting spirit makes a difference in life or death situations.
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