MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- When Esra D. Mullner was taken to a doctor for consistent back pain, he had no idea doctors would find a tumor in his spine.
At the time, he was 11 years old and doctors advised against the surgery because of the high risk and low success rate of the procedure.
"I remember my mom told me, and at the time, I didn't understand what a tumor was," Mullner said. "I just remember my mom was mad that the neurosurgeon was going on vacation right after he told us that. That's how I knew it was bad."
Recruit Mullner, Platoon 3269, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, said doctors told him that if they were able to remove 80% of the tumor, he would have a 50% survival rate.
Over the next few months, the tumor grew larger, causing periods of paralysis and leaving no choice for doctors but to perform the procedure. He was told that because of the tumor's rapid growth, the surgery was needed to save his life.
Mullner said he had three incidents where he became paralyzed from the waist down for 30 minutes to an hour and would awake in the night screaming and crying from the back pain.
Doctors told him the tumor had grown into his spinal nerves, which was why he was enduring paralysis and receiving intense pain.
"It felt like needles coming from inside my back pushing outward," said Mullner, a Boise, Idaho, native.
A seven-hour surgery was successful for the most part, but a minor graze of a spinal nerve during the operation left him without feeling in three fingers in his right hand.
"It's just a reminder of what I've been through," Mullner said with a nonchalant shrug.
Before the diagnosed tumor, Mullner explained that becoming a Marine had become a dream after being inspired by Marine recruiting posters posted on walls near his wrestling gym.
"I saw those posters three days a week on my way to practice," Mullner said. "And one day I just knew I wanted to be like those men in the posters. From then on, I knew it was what I wanted to do."
That dream didn't vanish because of his tumor, and post-surgery, he spoke with a recruiter about his chances of enlisting.
"He told me I would have to be cleared for contact sports," Mullner said. "But with part of the tumor still in my spine, I couldn't."
Mullner said he routinely would undergo an MRI to check the status of the tumor and would ask to be cleared for contact sports during every doctor's visit.
"One day in 10th grade, I went in, and the doctors told me the tumor was gone. It had just disappeared! It was a miracle," Mullner said. "It was the happiest day of my life, because it meant I could play sports and fulfill my dream of joining the Marine Corps."
After high school, Mullner waited numerous months for medical waivers before finally being accepted into recruit training. His wait and efforts paid off, and he is currently two weeks away from graduating.
A fellow platoon member and rack mate declared he was inspired by Mullner's perseverance.
"It takes a person with determination, commitment and a strong mindset, knowing there was a possibility that his effort to join the Corps could have been in vain," recruit Miguel E. Ramirez said. "I'm proud of him having the will to stick with his dream of joining despite people telling him he couldn't do it."
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