I was told I could die from this
Tiger reveals how lucky he is to be back after brain surgery
JACK Higgins was told he could be paralysed or even lose his life if dangerous brain surgery last year went wrong.
The Tigers’ livewire is back in contact training with Richmond and wearing headgear that he will likely use during the season. It is a far cry from the fallout of the first bout of brain surgery, with a subsequent operation needed to rectify the symptoms that did not abate after he initially went under the knfe.
Higgins spoke out on the club’s website for the first time about the ordeal.
“I cried a bit when I heard the news, it was really disappointing and really scary when the neurosurgeon said there were a lot of risks with the surgery. I could be paralysed if he touches the wrong thing or never player footy again or even die,” he said.
“I had an unbelievable neurosurgeon and they cut my head open [with a] massive scar and two weeks in hospital.
“At the time there were some pretty bad things going through my head and thought I would never play footy again, never walk again and have to have a carer for the rest of my life. So to be out there training from three months ago when I could hardly walk, hardly eat, hurt when I opened and closed my mouth, it’s pretty crazy.”
Higgins had initially suffered headaches during the 2019 season but was quickly rushed to hospital after his symptoms worsened.
“I was playing last year with headaches through matches which was a bit of a hassle, but I wasn’t getting any head knocks so I didn’t think it was concussion. One time after a match I just felt really bad and couldn’t drive home at night and felt absolutely terrible
“I went to the club the next day and felt decent and then the next day after that got scans. Had an MRO machine and woke up and five docs said we need to get to hospital ASAP, we need to get something out of your brain.”
Higgins battled to read or watch TV, but a second bout of surgery improved his prognosis, with the young star every chance to play Round 1.