Dear Tito,

I was terribly sorry to learn the devastating news that you have been forced into undergoing surgery once again, just 13 months after those life-changing five hours at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital.

Words can't even begin to explain how gutted I feel right now.

- Vilanova has cancer relapse

Life is often compared to a rollercoaster of emotions; a theory which argues that we sometimes need to experience the deepest of falls in order to savour our eventual rise to top. While I can see where the idea is coming from, I can't help but think that such injustice is terribly unfair and something that you could have definitely done without.

It is in times like these when, despite our tremendous passion for football and hunger for winning trophies, we must all take a step back and focus on what really matters: Health, family and togetherness. Yes, I know you have been breathing the sport throughout your whole life but, at this difficult moment in time, you must be unusually selfish and put yourself (and your family) first.

Despite the obvious adversity you are facing, I would like to add a couple of positive spins on the situation.

- Sure, it truly looks as if that parotid gland of yours wants to try to continue to upset your life. But, fortunately, millions around the world know you are a true fighter who has overcome this situation in the past and trust you can definitely do it again.

I know you don't like Twitter much, but believe me, the place has been flooded with millions of messages of encouragement for you, many using the hashtag #animstito. You must have been doing things right since taking that new job!

- I know how upset you were when your friend Eric Abidal went through a similar situation recently. Well, after nine long months of fighting against nature, the guy was back at training with the rest of the squad Wednesday. Yes, Wednesday. I'm sure you are fully capable of doing just that. It's simply a matter of time before you can be cracking jokes with him during training again.

We have total faith in you and, to be honest, it could simply not be any other way. Just focus on getting better and be sure that things will still be fine when you come back.

Best wishes,

Francesc

PS: Yeah, I know you were probably expecting me to ask your opinion about how Messi, Xavi, Pique and company will get on while you are recovering or other football-related stuff. I won't, life is much more important. In fact, most Cules aren't too worried about that either, mainly because we know that Jordi Roura is ready to build on the great job you have done together so far this season.

Plus, you know as well as anybody that your players will definitely not let you down. Not now, not ever.

Just relax and take as long as you need -- doctors predict you may be out for around six weeks, but please don't come back until you are 5000 percent recovered!

Don't worry: We will all still be here for you when the rollercoaster is on its way back up.

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