Jake Pulver's Journey

Published on July 22, 2019 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release

"There are a lot of things in life you can't control, but I think you can always control your attitude about things. I truly believe that your mindset is everything. Not everyone's problems are the same, but everyone does have a problem. Just believe that you can get through it and keep on fighting and control what you can control. That is the only way you can get through things."

From health struggles off the field, to being doubted on it, Jake Pulver's has faced more adversity in his 23 years than most people face in a lifetime. Pulver, who was selected to the 2019 MLL All-Star Game said, it wasn't always easy, but the hardships I faced have made me the person I am today."

Jake's Journey

By all accounts, Pulver was a normal and healthy teenager. Like any teen, he was focused on two things, school and sports. Pulver hoped of becoming a professional football or basketball player.

It all started towards the end of Pulver's eighth grade year. Pulver began to experience "sharp stomach pains in his upper abdominal area." The pain continued for about a week until Pulver saw another concerning sign. He began to see blood in his stool. Pulver, accompanied by his mother Rebecca, went to see a doctor. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis, told to cut back on eating fats and he would get back to normal.

Unfortunately for Pulver, his health never went "back to normal." Pulver was still in pain and he "didn't feel like himself." Pulver's mother continued to encourage doctors to test her son for other things."

The Diagnosis

After running some tests, doctors had a diagnosis for what was causing Jake's pain. Pulver remembers his parents and him standing around the counter in his house. His parents told him that he had ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative Colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in your digestive tract. Pulver, not even a freshman in high school, thought it wasn't that serious because "he had never heard of it before." Pulver thought "I'll just take a pill and be fine."

The Battle

Pulver didn't have to take just one pill, but more like five to ten at every single meal. Pulver was placed on several drugs including the medical steroid prednisone. Pulver was put on a high dose of the medication to calm his symptoms. It was then, when Pulver realized how serious his condition was.

Pulver said, "the main cycle is, they put you on the prednisone and start administering other drugs that they think will work and then they wean you off the prednisone. When Pulver was taken off the prednisone, his pain returned.

Doctors tried another treatment called remicade, which required six hours infusions once every couple of weeks. The treatments took a toll on Pulver's body, but he didn't let that stop him.

Pulver "never tried to miss school" and played three sports his freshman year. Pulver would often go immediately from a six hour treatment to his high school basketball game. He recalled a game where his legs gave out and he hit the floor. Pulver's mother was "concerned," but Jake just picked himself up and kept playing. 

The Decision

All of the drugs Pulver was prescribed simply didn't work. Doctors suggested doubling his dosage of Remicade. That's when Jake's mom said enough. Remicade has an increased risk of lymphoma, and the Pulver's decided to look at other options.

Jake's family decided to contact a surgeon. The surgeon did an examination of Pulver's large intestine and said "this thing needs to get out of here right now." Pulver got the first part of the two part surgery completed on May 6th, 2011, just one day before his 15th birthday. Doctors removed Pulver's large intestine.

The recovery was difficult for Pulver. While he healed, doctors inserted an ostomy bag connected to his small intestine. Pulver said "it was hard getting used to having a bag attached to him and having something inside of him sticking out."

In July, doctors completed the second surgery to reconnect Pulver's digestive tract. After nearly 15 months of constant pain, Pulver was in the clear.

The Recovery

Pulver stayed in the hospital for three or four days. He went home and resumed normal life. Within two weeks, Pulver was back to playing seven on seven football.

Now, Pulver has no symptoms of the illness that once haunted him. He has to stay away from certain foods, but that's a small price to pay considering the challenges he's faced previously.

On the Field

On the field, Pulver has been doubted every step of the way. As Pulver pointed out in an article written for Cornell University, plenty of people who told him he wasn't good enough to play at an Ivy League school. Pulver went on to play at Cornell and was named a two-time captain.

Fast forward to 2018. Pulver wasn't selected in the MLL draft, he wasn't picked up when the first round of waivers opened. The Dallas Rattlers eventually came calling and in this his first professional season, Pulver was selected to the 2019 MLL All-Star game. Pulver called the selection "humbling."

Pulver plays with a chip on his shoulder. He says he's been "doubted on every level and it keeps fueling his fire."

Those who doubted Pulver didn't take into account the most important aspect of a person, their heart. Pulver didn't give in when he stared down a life altering disease, and he sure as heck isn't about to give in on the lacrosse field.

Pulver continues to inspire others through his work with Chrons and Colitis Foundation and hopes his story can help others who are going through similar circumstances. Pulver wants to remind people that "things get better and you can never let your situation win." Pulver is a testament to what can be accomplished with a good attitude.

See the next step of Jake's remarkable journey at the 2019 MLL All-Star Game at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. The game will be broadcast on ESPN 2.

Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 22, 2019

• MLL Week 8 Recap - MLL
• Jake Pulver's Journey - MLL

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