Much of 2018 is a blur to Alexandria Garcia, but she knows it was the year that changed her life's trajectory. At 28, she went from living in her own apartment, working two jobs, and being physically active to completely relying on others for the most basic of tasks. She wanted her life to end.
"But it didn't and now the future looks better than it ever did," Alexandria said. "I lost my independence in one way but gained it in a different way, with ballet. I know someday I'll be dancing ballet in New York City."
That's right: Despite being so ill that at one point she could no longer walk, Alexandria now aspires to a career as a ballet dancer.
Without the treatment she receives from The Alfiero & Lucia Palestroni Foundation Multiple Sclerosis Center at Holy Name, Alexandria said she wouldn't be able to even conjure up such a dream, much less work towards it. But under the care of Dr. Mary Ann Picone, Medical Director of the MS Center, Alexandria is strong enough to practice ballet 2 ½ hours a day. She is also learning how to play the piano.
These are no easy feats considering how much has changed in her life. She went from being able to read a Harry Potter book in one weekend to being wiped out after reading a Dr. Seuss story.
The change was shockingly quick. For two days, she noticed some fatigue and dizziness when she was scrambling eggs for breakfast, but she attributed them to the stress of working full time as both a high school science teacher and Realtor. Then, one July morning, she woke up feeling like she had a hangover, though she didn't drink the prior night.
Trying to get to the bathroom, Alexandria crashed into walls and furniture before collapsing. She knew her parents had a key to her apartment and they rushed to her aid when they couldn't understand what she was saying on the phone.
She has spotty memories of being admitted to Holy Name – but later learned her parents were told she might not make it. Alexandria wasn't sure she even wanted to.
"I just remember being in constant pain – as if I had been stung by a jellyfish all over my body," she said. "I was also embarrassed because I couldn't do anything for myself and needed so much help."
Her odyssey to find out what was wrong with her included several doctor visits, multiple trips to a physical rehabilitation center, and countless blood draws, tests, X-rays and scans. Finally, one of the doctors she saw recommended Holy Name, where Dr. Marissa Oller, a neurologist, and Dr. Picone ran a battery of tests.They found Alexandria had multiple sclerosis, with telltale lesions on her brain. The disease had caused so much damage that Alexandria needed to learn how to walk, feed herself, sign her name, and even talk: "Alexandria is not an easy name to pronounce," she said.
But she knew she was in good hands. "I trust Dr. Picone completely – she is so confident that she makes you feel confident," Alexandria said. "Her whole staff makes you feel that way – they are so friendly and professional. With treatment at Holy Name, I've had no setbacks. They really know what they're doing."
By October 2018, she was out of her wheelchair and no longer needed a walker and cane – just the sight of them stressed her out. But as much as she desperately wanted to keep working, Alexandria had to resign from both jobs. She moved in with her mom and still doesn't drive because it exhausts her too much. Most nights, she's in bed by 9 p.m. But there was a silver lining to her dark cloud: Alexandria realized she felt so much better when she forced herself to move, so she signed up for ballet classes, something she always wanted to do.
In 2023, five years after her diagnosis, Alexandria continues to thrive. She’s dancing ballet at the intermediate and advanced level with a local ballet academy, taking piano lessons, and was even named Miss Bergen County 2024. Her sister, Alexis, recently wrote a book about her incredible sister, Alexandria: The Ballerina Living with Multiple Sclerosis. Together they worked on translating the book into Spanish and are embarking on a book tour.
"I've always believed in science and survival of the fittest," Alexandria said. "I'm going to keep finding ways to be active. My medical team at Holy Name, my family, and my resilience continue to motivate me to stay healthy. Nothing is going to slow me down.”
