December 15th, 2009
As I wake up, it’s yet another beautiful day in South Florida. Birds are chirping outside my window and the Sun is shining to my surprise considering the season. I notice my shoulders are a bit heavy so I stretch them out a bit and make my way to the kitchen to prepare some pancakes. Matt, my roommate at the time, was probably working a lunch shift because the apartment was empty that morning. I sit down on my computer, check e-mails and get one from Spirit Airlines offering some heavy discounts and that’s when it hit me: it had been a while since I spent Christmas at home. Right then and there I booked a 4 day trip to surprise my parents for the Holidays.
December 21st, 2009
Something isn’t right. That numbness in my shoulders is trickling down to my arms. I just dropped my 2nd cup of coffee in 3 days. I’m having trouble shampooing my hair, brushing my teeth and even putting on a t-shirt. This is weird.
December 24th, 2009
I land in Puerto Rico around 11 p.m. and have a close friend pick me up so my cover isn’t blown. I get to Mom’s house around midnight and she goes crazy at the sight of me. Hugs all around. We’re both happy. The next day I go visit my Dad. He’s just as surprised to see me. Wasn’t expecting that at all.
December 27th, 2009
I tell Mom we should go to the hospital. I’m not feeling well. I can tell something is definitely wrong. I’m seen by a lady with salt & pepper hair. Just by looking at me she concludes I may be suffering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome. From the sounds of it, it’s not good. I want a second opinion.
December 29th, 2009
So much for going back home. I’m feeling weak all around and can barely walk 10 minutes without getting tired. Looks like it’s one trip I’m going to have to postpone. I land back in the hospital for more tests. It turns out salt & pepper lady was right. Next thing I know I’m getting a spinal tap and welcoming in the new year watching fireworks outside my hospital window. Something tells me my life is going to change pretty soon.
It’s now been a little more than three years since this has happened. Things got worse. I was paralyzed from the neck down for three months before my results came back positive for GBS. Not only that but I’ve acquired the recurring version which means I now have relapses every 4 months. Quite the humbling experience and my prediction came true: my life has been changed forever. Had this never happened to me, I’d still be in South Florida teaching tennis, blowing my money and on the road to being an afterthought in life.
This is what I mean when I say that we need adversity in life. If it weren’t for mine, I’m sure I would be coasting through life not having any ambitions or giving importance to what really matters. Adversity has opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed but I’m glad I see things clearly now. In a way, it’s shaped a good chunk of my life and given me direction as to where I want to go. Back in 2009, I thought my life was going to revolve around tennis (either playing it professionally or teaching it). Little did I know, my purpose would be far greater. I now rise from bed hungry for life; I have to. I owe life this second chance and I hate disappointing. I know what it’s like to not be able to move so I make sure I’m always in motion; it creates emotion. I don’t sleep much these days either.
Adopt that sense of urgency and learn from my experience. Don’t let something terrible happen to you in order to take charge of your life. Do it now. Do it today. Put your life into perspective, think of what’s important to you and prioritize. Make it happen for yourself as well as those around you.
There’s a clock ticking right next to your ear as a reminder. Tik, tok, tik, tok…
Francisco Alvarez 