By Moses Leos III.
Things seemed to be on the rise for Lehman High soccer player Alexis Sanchez. Having earned a spot on the varsity team last year, her soccer career was taking off.
But on Sep. 28, her life took a drastic and frightening turn. What began as a simple headache turned into a 45-day battle against Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare disorder affecting only one or two in 100,000 people.
Through determination and sacrifice, Sanchez beat the odds, working her way back to the soccer pitch.
Her ordeal began on Sep. 28, when Sanchez was struck in the face with a soccer ball. Soon thereafter, headaches began to occur.
At top, Lehman High soccer player Alexis Sanchez plays a ball during a 2013 match against Giddings. For 45 days, Sanchez battled Guillian Barre Syndrome, a condition that nearly paralyzed her. Through determination and perseverance, she recovered to return to the soccer pitch. (Photo by Cyndy Slovak-Barton) Here, Alexis Sanchez, next to Ronald McDonald, along with her family, rejoice that she is now back to playing Lady Lobo soccer after battling Guillian Barre Syndrome. Her team helped raise $500 for the Ronald McDonald House. (Photo by Jim Cullen) |
Sanchez’ mother, Theresa, thought Alexis suffered a concussion or whiplash. As her headaches worsened, her family took her to the emergency room on Oct. 3.
Despite receiving medication, headaches continued, forcing the family to see their family doctor the next day.
Her condition deteriorated 24 hours later. Theresa knew something was wrong.
“Half her face was frozen,” Theresa said. “By Monday, her face was paralyzed.”
The family rushed Sanchez to Dell Children’s Medical Center (DCMC). By this time, Alexis’ paralysis disrupted her ability to walk.
However, DCMC doctors sent her home, sans diagnosis.
Theresa then consulted a cousin, a neurologist, who instructed her to take Alexis back to DCMC immediately, fearing GBS.
Alexis was put through a litany of tests, which included a two-hour MRI, to eventually diagnose their worst fears – GBS.
According to the Mayo Clinic’s website, GBS occurs when a person’s body attacks the nervous system. Weakness and tingling are the first symptoms, and those are sometimes followed by full body paralysis.
There is no known cause for GBS, nor is there a cure.
It was an overwhelming experience for Alexis, who was admitted to DCMC on Oct. 9.
“When they first told me what I had, I was crying. A doctor said a patient with GBS had recently died,” Alexis said. “I was emotional.”
She spent her first three nights in the ICU, where she received plasma treatments to combat the disease. She also took breathing treatments, as her lungs couldn’t produce enough air.
She eventually made it out of the ICU, but her fight was only beginning. The disease affected her motor skills, immobilizing her.
“The muscles on her face were frozen. She couldn’t wiggle her eyebrows, couldn’t laugh, or eat,” Theresa said. “Her fine motor skills had issues. She couldn’t do anything.”
It was a sobering moment for Alexis, who, despite reassurances she would recover, fell into a slight depression.
But one thought motivated her comeback – getting back on the soccer pitch.
“I have to get better,” she said.
Over the next 43 days, Alexis went through physical therapy to relearn her muscle memory. This included daily exercises, which were often very painful.
Through sheer determination, Alexis worked her way back, eventually leaving the hospital on Nov. 23.
Going home was a scary prospect.
“I had to get back into everything,” she said. “I was used to being [at the hospital]. I didn’t want to go home.”
Alexis made her way back to school Thanksgiving week. It was a nerve-wracking experience, alleviated when she saw her Lehman High teammates.
She felt most at ease on the soccer field. However, her battle with GBS limited her playing ability.
“It was very difficult to get back on pitch. I had to practice [at the] JV level,” she said. “That was a big shock. Having to work my way up and having to prove myself was one of the hardest things.”
Fueling her was head coach Nauri Garcia, who saved her #4 jersey just for her. But he pushed her, working her back to the varsity level.
Alexis admitted there were times where she felt she wanted to quit. But perseverance prevailed.
On Jan. 28, Alexis made her varsity debut against Cibolo Steele.
It was a watershed moment for the young player.
“I was shocked. I was so happy,” Alexis said. “I had no words.”
She no longer suffers from GBS and said a reoccurrence is unlikely.
Experiences during her struggle left an indelible mark on the entire family. Alexis now understands perseverance and the ability to never give up.
“I learned to not give up. Everything gets better, no matter what,” she said. “You have to work hard to get what you really want. And you can’t take anything for granted.”
